"I can only shake my head in the face of the irony that all too often the very place where we look for life and health, the very place where we expect to nurture and deepen a loving relationship with God, can cause so many to experience the exact opposite." So remarks author Lynne Baab in this timely and discerning examination of burnout in congregations. What is burnout? What causes congregation volunteers to burn out? Why is unpaid service sometimes life giving and other times just another frantic commitment? How can congregations become oases of peace and nurture while still carrying out their mission and ministry? How can we recognize holy moments in the presence of God if we are moving so fast that life passes by us in a blur? How can leaders make congregations healthy places to serve? After reflecting on these important questions and dozens of interviews with congregation volunteers, Baab suggests, "We must not fear burnout; instead, we need to do a better job coming alongside people as they experience burnout, and help them figure out what they are learning."

Contrary to the oft-repeated truism, there are churches in America where Sunday is not the "most segregated day of the week," as Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook convincingly demonstrates in her compelling exploration of congregations tackling racial justice issues. Yet the truism continues to haunt many congregations, and Kujawa-Holbrook reveals, through story and thoughtful analysis, what it means to create and live out multiracial community. Focusing on six congregations from different denominations, geographical regions, and settings, the author shows us the joys and struggles in their intentional pursuits of a more diverse and just community. The stories in A House of Prayer for All Peoples will inspire leaders to explore their congregation's history, study their community's demographics, and, most of all, search their souls for ways they can develop and celebrate the diversity in their midst. The book is capped by an extensive annotated resource list for readers who want to explore the topic further.

This is a substantially expanded and completely revised verision of Bradshaw's classic account, first published in 1993. Traditional liturgical scholarship has generally been marked by an attempt to fit together the various pieces of evidence for the practice of early Christian worship in such a way as to suggest that a single, coherent line of evolution can be traced from the apostolic age to the fourth century. Bradshaw examines this methodology in the light of recent developments in Jewish liturgical scholarship, of current trends in New Testament studies, and of the nature of the source-documents themselves, and especially the ancient church orders. In its place he offers a guide to Christian liturgical origins which adopts a much more cautious approach, recognizing the limitations of what can truly be known, and takes seriously the clues pointing to the esssentially variegated character of ancient Christian worship.

Congregations that seek growth are often frustrated at hitting a plateau-caught in a transition zone between sizes. The Alban Institute has long been recognized as a leader in size transition research and learning, and this anthology offers an in-depth collection of resources, through new articles developed for the book as well as previously published and highly regarded pieces that inform and provoke.

Since its inception, the Alban Institute has earned a reputation as a leader in addressing congregational conflict management issues through its research, consulting services, educational events, and particularly its publications. Drawing on this rich heritage, the first title in our new "Harvesting the Learnings" anthology series gathers 20 classic Alban works on congregational conflict into a single, indispensable volume. Conflict Management in Congregations harvests the collected wisdom of many of the key thinkers on this topic, including such past and present Alban consultants as Speed Leas, George Parsons, Margaret Bruehl, Gil Rendle, Alice Mann, and Roy Pneumann. Much of the material found here has long been unavailable but is still much in demand. Divided into three sections that explore the dynamics of conflict, conflict management techniques, and dealing with conflict in specific contexts, this book serves as a comprehensive primer that no pastor or congregational leader will want to be without.

This demonstrates amazingly, with unflinching honesty and a wonderfully redeeming sense of humor, a resource especially helpful in motivating change and growth by mobilizing the natural strengths of small churches. For you who have been looking for a reliable guide to interpret the world of the small church, look no further since this provides all the insights you need. Includes images and models and strategies that reflect the profound uniqueness of the small church. It clearly shows leaders how to lead within the dynamics and culture of the small congregation. This is theologically sound and eminently practical. A must reading for anyone who is or plans to be a leader in a small church. Excellent for small roup study.

Will your church be part of the thirty-three percent unable to spot the kindling of conflict before it flares up and results in the dismissal of a pastor? Firestorm describes the six successive phases of conflict and explains the causes of that conflict, strategies to cope with controversy, and what can be done in the firestorm's aftermath to restore faith and hope.

In "Transforming Culture," Lingenfelter sets out a model for understanding the workings of a society and then applies this model to conflicts missionaries and nationals often face over economic and social issues. Utilizing a plethora of case studies and personal anecdotes, he identifies the root of the conflicts and contradictory assumptions that make it difficult for missionaries and nationals to work together, and guides readers to solutions for transforming culture.

In this book, Joann Wolski Conn demonstrates how psychology and spirituality are integrally related to human maturity. Her book maintains that Christian spirituality, which encourages self-denial, can be entirely compatible with contemporary psychology which promotes self-fulfillment. Conn uses case studies in the practice of the ministries of pastoral counseling and spiritual direction, especially when these ministries deal woth her inner struggles of spiritual darkness and psychological depression. The author demonstrates the possibility of genuine experimental integration of Christian spirituality and contemporary psychology by paying equal attention to women's and men's experiences. Bringing her own perspective from ministry and feminist theology to a variety of case studies, she illustrates how pastoral counselors and spiritual dictators can enable those in their care to discern God's action in the ordinary events of life. Originally published in 1989 by Paulist Press.

This book is a beginner's guide to biblical Hebrew. It serves as a tool for ministers and ministers-in-training who want to become more effective preachers and instructors. The book's uniqueness is in its tool-based approach; it includes a list of abbreviations of Biblical Books and an appendix of the basics of Hebrew. The lesson in Hebrew is practical; the author first answers basic questions about biblical Hebrew and then takes the reader through a series of analyses that discuss learning the language - from words, to figures of speech, to Hebrew writing - both narrative and poetry, and finally, to broader issues of culture and communication. Using Biblical Hebrew in Ministry is an excellent and resourceful text for ministers, as well as Seminaries and Bible colleges that offer courses such as "Biblical Hebrew for English Speakers," "Using Biblical Resource Tools," Biblical Hebrew, and Hebrew exegesis.

Un analisis del muy conoci-do lider de adoracion respecto al ministerio de la musica.

In this volume, Harbin addresses two main ideas in relation to the larger issue of the origin and development of religion. First is the issue of historicity of key events in the founding of major religions. The author specifically addresses the exodus and the resurrection of Judaism and Christianity, respectively, as the historical foundations of those beliefs, and the lack of such historical events in 'all' other world religions. Secondly, Harbin explores the virtually universal observation of a 'primitive high God' present in various cultures throughout the world, suggesting an early monotheism. In the process of these explorations, the author repudiates the prevalent view that religion evolved from a primitive polytheism to the ' higher revealed' religions, and demonstrates instead that it evolved from an early monotheism into increasingly complex polytheisms. Contents: EARLY RELIGION; The Source; Polytheism Runs Rampant; THE SURVIVAL OF MONOTHEISM; The World's Old Organized Religion: Judaism; Hope Fulfilled: Christianity; THAT TRAGIC CENTURY; Avoiding Death by Dying; Under the Bohdi Tree: Buddhism; Mystics Galore: Other Eastern Religions; REVELATIONS OF ANGELS AND MEN; The Step Brother Resurgent: Islam; New Gods or Old?: Modern Religious Movements; The Right Road or a Rabbit Trail?

These seventeen original and innovative studies reinterpret the social and institutional development of the Archdiocese of Toronto. Beginning with the arrival of Irish Catholic immigrants in the 1820s and concluding with the Archdiocese's burgeoning ethnic mosaic of the present day, this volume examines the evolution of lay confraternities, clerical formation and discipline, religous education, immigrant adjustment, the life and contribution of women's religious orders, the Catholic response to conscription during World War I and the fascism during World War II, and the Catholic struggle for social justice amidst Toronto's rapid industrial growth. Throughout, we witness the exciting interplay beween the Archdiocese's Catholics and their increasingly secularized environment.

An Essential Guide to Understanding and Leading Worship Worship leaders are adrift in a sea of worship resources, but, incredibly, no single book provides a simple introduction to worship and worship leading. Essential Worship is a concise, easy-to-read primer on the basics of worship theology and practice. Each concept is introduced clearly and concisely. Diagrams, charts, and bulleted lists make the information easy to digest. And preparation and reflection questions help readers apply the material to their own church context. Whether one is a beginner or an experienced worship leader, readers from all traditions will find in this resource a solid foundation for future success. It is particularly well-suited for the first-time worship or praise band leader, as well as for pastors who want to be more intentional about the music in their services.

How do faith-based organizations influence the work of transnational peacebuilding, development, and human rights advocacy? How is the political role of such organizations informed by their religious ideas and practices? This book investigates this set of questions by examining how three transnational faith-based organizations-Religions for Peace, the Taize Community, and International Justice Mission-conceptualize their own religious practices, values, and identities, and how those acts and ideas inform their political goals and strategies. The book demonstrates the political importance of prayer in the work of transnational faith-based organizations, specifically in areas of conflict resolution, post-conflict integration, agenda setting, and in constituting narratives about justice and reconciliation. It also evaluates the distinctive strategies that faith-based organizations employ to navigate religious difference. A central goal of the book is to propose a new way to study "religion" in international politics, by actively questioning and reflecting on what it means for an act, idea, or community to be "religious."

Das Kalikapurana ist eng verbunden mit dem Pilgerzentrum der Goettin Kamakhya im heutigen Assam. Unter Berucksichtigung der politischen und religioesen Verhaltnisse des mittelalterlichen Kamarupa wird untersucht, auf welche Weise der Text den Kultort und seine lokale Goettin in die Grosse Tradition des Hinduismus einbindet. Dabei wird auf die Vorstellung von einer hoechsten weiblichen Gottheit (Mahamaya) zuruckgegriffen. Sie manifestiert sich im puranischen Mythenteil als Sati und im tantrischen Kultteil des Textes als Liebesgoettin Kamakhya. Maya und kama verknupfen diese gegensatzlichen Konzepte. Eine Betrachtung der visnuitischen Elemente im Text zeigt, dass das Kalikapurana keinen reinen, sondern einen visnuitischen Saktismus reprasentiert - eine Variante des Hinduismus im mittelalterlichen Assam.

Salzburg ist das alteste, seit 798 bestehende Erzbistum im Deutschen Sprachraum. Dieses Nachschlagewerk enthalt die Lebensbilder aller Salzburger Bischoefe (seit 696), der erzbischoeflichen Landesherren, der Erzbischoefe und Weihbischoefe mit einem kurzen Abriss zur Salzburger Kirchengeschichte von den Anfangen bis zur Gegenwart. Chronologische Listen aller Generalvikare, Wappen und Wappenzeichen sowie auch Schriften-, Quellen- und Literaturverzeichnis dienen der Vollstandigkeit und erganzen das biographische Lexikon.

Contrary to our perception of the centrality of the churches in English life in the nineteenth century, the disappointing results of the 1851 Religious Census led religious leaders to seek a variety of ways to increase religious allegiance as the century progressed. The apparent apathy and lack of interest in formal religion on the part of the working classes was particularly galling, and the various denominations tried hard to attract them through evangelical missions as well as social and charitable ventures which sometimes competed with religious concerns, to the latter's detriment. This book traces the motivations, concerns and efforts of the churches, particularly in the period between 1870 and 1920, and the ambivalent responses of ordinary people. The Education Act of 1870 led to the churches losing their hold on the education of the young, a consequence foreseen by many church leaders, but unable to be prevented. By 1920 it was apparent that the churches' optimism regarding an increased role with a war-weary population would not be fulfilled. The focus is on the city of Leeds, representative of the industrialised urban areas with burgeoning populations which proved to be such a challenge to the churches, at the same time stimulating them to ever-greater efforts.

"Philip Doddridge is best known today for his book The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, and perhaps by some for his Family Expositor, which is an extensive commentary on and paraphrase of the New Testament. He also served as principal of an important ministerial academy for non-conforming churches. However, one part of Doddridge's legacy that has been sorely neglected in recent years is his hymns. This book contains 375 of Doddridge's hymns, which provide poetic reflection on Old Testament texts, New Testament texts, and various occasions pertaining to Christians and the church. It also includes a timeline of Doddridge's life, a number of helpful indexes, and various compatible hymn tunes.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Hymns Founded on Old Testament Texts

Hymns Founded on New Testament Texts

Hymns for Particular Occasions

Table of Hymns by First Line

Index Hymns by Context

Appendix I: Key Dates in Doddridge's Life

Appendix II: Doddridge's Hymns Listed By Metre and