This comprehensive guide helps you tap into your church's greatest resource -- its families! With clear, practical tips on how to build strong family foundations, enrich family ministries and connect families to others, this book reveals a whole new way of thinking about community-based family ministries.

In "What The Preacher Forgot To Tell Me: Identity and Gospel in Jamaica, author Faith Linton identifies what she believes is a deficiency in the historical preaching of the Gospel in Jamaica, and other Caribbean countries, that has impacted the success of the Gospel there. It is her conviction that many of those to whom the gospel is preached lack just what the ancient Athenians lacked-a heightened awareness of the one, true God and of them as He originally designed them. They lack a sense of kinship, of belonging to their Creator, and therefore of what they are to Him and what they owe to Him. She examines the principal of preaching the Gospel message by beginning at the beginning-in Genesis, with our creation. When people do not appreciate the significance of their being created in His image, the consequences are that they have no clear, healthy sense of their spiritual identity or of the lofty purpose for which they were created. If the message preached does not fill this gap, the understanding of the gospel will be distorted. Hearers may be driven to repentance strictly out of the fear of hell. Or, they may seek self-centred satisfaction and happiness by allying themselves with Christ, but they will not be motivated to please God. When a person is not allowed to see how closely connected they are to God, who made them like Himself, they continue to feel alienated from Him even after salvation. They feel unable to relate closely to Him in an intimate way. Her personal experience bears this out. Faith's book identifies this problem with clarity and conviction as she describes how this principle has impacted Jamaica and the Caribbean communities and offers what she hopes is a transformational solution.

Why should you join a church?

Becoming a member of a church is an important, and often neglected, part of the Christian life. Yet the trend these days is one of shunning the practice of organized religion and showing a distaste or fear of commitment, especially of institutions.

Jonathan Leeman addresses these issues with a straightforward explanation of what church membership is and why it's important. Giving the local church its proper due, Leeman has built a compelling case for committing to the local body.

Is there one correct way for the people of God to worship him? It turns out that Scripture offers many models and forms for worship, all of which are acceptable but not necessarily appropriate or functional in a particular setting. Barry Liesch, a professor of music at Biola University, helps his readers to grasp that fact and it's implications for worship in the church today. This is a one-of-a-kind book for many kinds of readers in all kinds of churches. It offers biblical perspective, historical awareness, musical and artistic sensitivity, authentic reverence, and creative stimulation for worship leaders, church musicians, study groups, pastors, worship committees, and a host of others who are interested in appreciating and renewing worship according to biblical models. Within each of the twenty chapters the author shares many suggestions for enhancing and transforming worship in the church today. Not only does he present the various biblical models and offer a wealth of suggestions, he takes up some of the major concerns of worship leaders, planners, and participants -- concerns such as the role of music, uses of symbolism, the appropriateness of dance, modes of celebration, expressions of reverence, and many others.

Este libro nos narra la vida de Toribio Romo, una victima de la persecucion contra la Iglesia en Mexico. El Papa Juan Pablo II lo canonizo en el ano 2000 y desde entonces muchos los han visto como un santo muy popular. Este libro describe el mundo en el que el vivio antes de su martirio en 1928. Nos muestra que la persecucion contra la Iglesia siempre produce el efecto contrario al que buscan los perseguidores.
Chronicles the life of Toribio Romo, a victim of persecution of the Church in Mexico in the 20th century. He was murdered in 1920, and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000. Today he is becoming well-known as the patron of immigrants. This booklet reconstructs the world in which he lived and examines the tumultuous relationship between church and state in Mexico at that time. It is a story of courage in the face of terrorism and an example of how persecution usually makes the Church stronger.
"Librito"
Desde el autor:
Imaginese ir a la iglesia el domingo por la manana y encontrar el templo cerrado y ninguna persona alrededor. Usted maneja hacia otra iglesia y encuentra la misma situacion: no hay ningun sacerdote, ninguna misa, ninguna boda, solo el miedo en los corazones de personas que quizas sean detenidos por practicar su religion.
Eso es lo que sucedia hace unos 80 anos en Mexico durante la Guerra Cristera, cuando la politica del gobierno era erradicar el catolicismo en esa tierra para siempre. El gobierno confisco las propiedades de la iglesia, prohibio la ensenanza religiosa, e hizo de todo para aterrorizar "al clero catolico deprimente" y sus "seguidores fanaticos." En algunos lugares el ejercito quemo estatuas y obras de arte religiosas. Los soldados bailaban alrededor del fuego poniendose atuendos religiosos que encontraban en la sacristia. Algunas veces iban en busca de sacerdotes y a los que encontraban los mataban.
La libro "El Martirio de Santo Toribio Romo"" (disponible en ingles y espanol) escrito por monsenor James Murphy, rector de la Catedral del Santisimo Sacramento, describe esos anos terribles de la historia mexicana, vista desde los ojos de un sencillo y pueblerino sacerdote que llego a ser una de las victimas: el padre Toribio Romo de Jalisco. La historia inicia en la pequena comunidad rural de Santa Ana donde Toribio nacio y crecio, y donde inicio su viaje de la pobreza al sacerdocio en la Arquidiocesis de Guadalajara.
El libro describe la lucha del padre Romo por conseguir educacion en un lugar que no habia escuelas y donde todos eran analfabetos; su interes por la Enciclica Rerum Novarum del Papa Leo XIII y los problemas que enfrento con parrocos conservadores y feligreses ricos; su experiencia como parroco durante la Guerra Cristera cuando a los catequistas los colgaban en los postes del telegrafo y su Obispo dirigia la arquidiocesis desde un escondite en las montanas. Tambien describe el brutal asesinato del padre Romo por tropas federales en febrero de 1928 en un remoto canon fuera del pueblo de Tequila donde servia en una improvisada capilla. El padre Romo fue canonizado martir por el Papa Juan Pablo II el ano 2000.
Este libro le interesara a cualquier persona que quiera saber mas sobre como los catolicos mexicanos sufrieron hace algunas decadas. Tiene un interes particular para los catolicos de California, porque unos 300 parientes del santo viven en el area de Sacramento, y una reliquia de Santo Toribio, la unica en los EE UU, se encuentra en el altar de la Catedral del Santisimo Sacramento, recien restaurada.
Santo Toribio ya es muy conocido por los inmigrantes mexicanos que cruzan a los Estados Unidos, muchos lo ven como su salvador en este tiempo donde el incremento de la seguridad en la frontera ha cobrado mas victimas entre los inmigrantes. En el 2002 el periodico "The New York Times" informo de numerosas historias que circulan en los caminos peligrosos de los inmigrantes, acerca de una figura misteriosa vestida con ropa oscura, que guia sin peligro a traves de la frontera a hombres que buscan una nueva vida en los EE UU. El unico pago que este extrano pide es una visita algun dia a Santa Ana, Jalisco. Cuando muchos de estos inmigrantes finalmente visitan ese pueblo para dar gracias, se quedan sorprendidos al reconocer el mismo rostro en el altar de la capilla de Santo Toribio. Historias como estas se multiplican, lo que hace que miles visiten la reliquia de Toribio en Santa Ana. Muchas voces se han levantado para pedir que sea proclamarlo oficialmente el santo patrono de los inmigrantes.

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Pastors are schooled in theology and ministry, but few receive training in the fine points of church administration. Learning how to handle a congregation's finances "on the job" can be a harrowing experience. Yet efficiently managing your church's business affairs is a key element in keeping current members satisfied with their pastoral leadership -- and in attracting the new members you need for your church to grow in size and influence. In Basic Business Principles For Growing Churches, Arnold Cirtin shares expertise gained from more than four decades of corporate and academic experience. He provides a clear and helpful primer for pastors with limited training in business administration on such practical topics as accounting, fiscal management, and marketing. This is an indispensable book for pastors of small- and medium-sized churches (who typically are also their congregations' principal financial officers), as well as for church treasurers, trustees, and other financial board members. When you follow the guidelines in Basic Business Principles For Growing Churches, your church will be fiscally responsible, managed efficiently, and able to maximize its growing stewardship of God's resources. Arnold Cirtin is professor emeritus of accounting at Ball State University, and is a certified public accountant (CPA) in the states of Indiana and California. Cirtin is the author of Principles of Accounting Study Guide, as well as numerous articles in professional journals.

This third book outlines 12 specific retreats, with each one exploring a different theme--Seeking Forgiveness, Overcoming Anxiety, Called to Serve, among others.

This discussion is between two members of the church of Christ concerning church support of Orphan Homes and Homes for the Aged. This debate was held in Indianapolis, IN January 3-6, 1956. The First Proposition: It is in harmony with the Scriptures for churches to build and maintain benevolent organizations for the care of the needy, such as the Boles Home, the Tipton Home, and other orphan homes and homes for the aged that are among us. Affirmative: Guy N. Woods; Negative: W. Curtis Porter Second Proposition: It is contrary to the Scriptures for churches to build and maintain benevolent organizations for the care of the needy, such as the Boles Home, the Tipton Home and other Orphan Homes and Homes for the aged that are among us. Affirmative: W. Curtis Porter; Negative: Guy N. Wood

The church is called to grow in Christ. Yet too often, it ignores the practical dimensions of the faith. The church is one in Christ. Yet too often, it is divided by national, denominational, theological, and racial or ethnic boundaries. The church is a global body of believers. Yet too often, it privileges a few voices and fails to recognize its own diversity. In response, this volume offers a multi-denominational, multi-ethnic vision in which biblical scholars, theologians, and practitioners from around the world join together to pursue a cohesive yet diverse theology and praxis of spiritual formation for the global church. Be fed in your faith by brothers and sisters from around the world.

"Good preaching is the present Word of God to his people", argues J. I. Packer. And it is to communicate this that is our first calling. In this inspiring collection of essays, experienced preachers explore the different aspects of preaching.

Secular assumptions are being introduced piecemeal into our way of life. From the Millennium Dome (what exactly was it celebrating?) to the restrictions on the wearing of crosses and abolition of nativity plays, Christianity is being marginalised. Christian social initiatives at local levels are now so severely restricted that several Christian bodies issue guidelines on handling local council prejudice. There is a widespread if illdefined sense that a valuable heritage is slipping away.

Yet the Bible and Prayer Book are seminal for our language and literature; Christian social action predated the modern welfare state; our laws are based on Christian ethical systems. Christians should push back, re-engaging with politicians and opinion formers. Christians must be salt and light. Introverted Christianity must give way to engagement with the world, not defensively but with confidence and hope. It is time for a proper debate about the place of faith in modern Britain.

Robert Barriger es considerado un valioso punto de referencia para miles de pastores en Latinoamerica. Sin ninguna duda, el trabajo logrado por su iglesia le da autoridad para hablar sobre formas en las que una congregacion de creyentes puede convertirse en una influencia relevante en su comunidad, incluyendo el establecimiento de programas medicos, politicos y familiares como muy pocas congregaciones de America. Barriger es el pastor principal de Camino de Vida en Lima, Peru, una de las iglesias de mas impacto en el pais y en todo Sudamerica. Esta iglesia ha llevado a cabo una serie de proyectos de valor cultural y de influencia gubernamental en servicio a la comunidad. Barriger es de California, pero hace muchos anos hizo del Peru su casa donde vive con Su esposa, dos hijos y nietos. Su libro, La Iglesia Relevante, es una lectura sin duda requerida para cualquiera que quiere que su iglesia crezca en calidad como en cantidad y que busca que sea de un profundo impacto en la sociedad que la rodea."

Coad's work traces the history of the Brethren Movement, which began more than 170 years ago and has since spread throughout the world. The author considers some of the outstanding characters produced by the movement, as well as its signficance in relation to the whole Christian church.

The Oxford Handbook of Early Christian Archaeology brings together expert work by leading scholars of the archaeology of Early Christianity and the Roman world in the Mediterranean and surrounding regions. The thirty-four contributions to this volume survey Christian material culture and ground the history, culture, and society of the first seven centuries of Christianity in archaeological method, theory, and research. The essays emphasize the link between archaeological fieldwork, methods, and regional and national traditions in constructing our knowledge of the Early Church and Christian communities within the context of the ancient Mediterranean, Near East, and Europe. Three sweeping introductory essays provide historical perspectives on the archaeology of the Early Christian world. These are followed by a series of topical treatments that focus on monuments and environments ranging from Christian churches to catacombs, martyria, and baths, as well as classes of objects of religious significance such as ceramics, lamps, and icons. Finally, the volume locates the archaeology of the Early Christian world in fifteen regional studies stretching from Britain to Persia, highlighting the unique historical contexts that have shaped scholarly discussion across time and space. The thorough, carefully-researched essays offer the most intensive, state-of-the-art treatment of recent research into the archaeology of Early Christianity available.

Re-Imagining Christian Higher Education takes a fresh and critical look at the challenges facing Christian colleges and universities and provides concrete recommendations for university leaders, faculty, and staff to implement in their daily work. Chapters in this book address leadership and diversity challenges, issues of affordability and sustainability, and ways of maintaining the distinguishing features of a Christ-centered liberal arts education. A vivid and compelling picture of the Christian university of the future is painted by these authors as they highlight the importance of embracing our Christian identity while being willing to engage a pluralistic and fragmented world. Firmly rooted in a missional identity of faithful learning that is committed to the intellectual, personal, and spiritual development of our students, Christian colleges and universities are encouraged to reclaim and revitalize the breadth and depth of the Christian tradition in order to move forward. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Christian Higher Education.

Font of Pardon and New Life is a study of the historical development and impact of John Calvin's doctrine of baptism, both adult (or believer) baptism and infant baptism. Did Calvin intend to teach a kind of baptismal forgiveness and regeneration, that is, did he believe that the external sign of baptism actually conveys the spiritual realities it signifies? If baptism does serve in some way as an instrument of divine grace for Calvin, what then are the roles of the Word, the Holy Spirit, divine election, and individual faith? Are spiritual blessings conferred only in adult (believer) baptism or also in the baptism of infants? Did Calvin's teaching on baptismal efficacy remain constant throughout his lifetime, or did it undergo significant change? What impact did it have on the Reformed confessional tradition that followed him? Lyle D. Bierma approaches these questions by examining Calvin's writings on baptism in their entirety, proceeding chronologically through Calvin's life and writings including his Institutes, commentaries on the Bible, catechisms, polemical treatises, and consensus documents. Bierma concludes that Calvin understood baptism as a means or instrument of both assurance and grace. His view underwent some change and development over the course of his life but not to the extent that some in the past have suggested. The overall trajectory of his baptismal theology was one of increasing clarity and refinement of basic themes already present in incipient form in the Institutes of 1536.