In the 1980's when the author was ordained as a minister there were very few African American women in that role. That has changed during the past 30 years and this book gives you an inspiring glimpse into what it takes to persevere and build a successful career in the ministry. Throughout the book there are opportunities for the reader to stop and think about what they have read. These places are designed to allow the Holy Spirit to hover over your spirit and to speak to the deep (and maybe not so deep) places in you. "I Was Tired Today: Readings and Reflections on being an African American Clergywoman" captures important insights from the author's personal journey and inspires others to keep going forward - even when they are tired.

This book is not about church doctrine. The purpose of this book is to provide a leadership and management framework which can improve church operations through the implementation of time-tested and proven practices which we call The Servant Organization for Jesus Framework. If you are a pastor, or a deacon, or if you are in some level of church administration, you should read this book. We predict that this book will give the reader insight as to how church organizations can be improved significantly. It is our opinion that church organizations, like all other organizations of human endeavor, experience common organizational problems. However, the church organization experiences unique operational challenges because of their spiritual nature, coupled with the fact that church organizations are volunteer organizations. We also believe church organizations are empowered by the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a dying world. The Servant Organization for Jesus can be used by the Holy Spirit to better fulfill the Great Commission. All that is needed for positive change to occur in church operational performance is a willingness for church leaders to recognize that there may be a better way to do things. The Four Cornerstones of the foundation which support the Framework for The Servant Organization for Jesus have been successfully used in the private and public sectors. All of the components of the Framework are not only referenced in scripture, they are also referenced in the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award Criteria for Achieving Performance Excellence. It is our humble suggestion that The Servant Organization for Jesus presents a framework to assist church organizations in doing things better. Much, however, is at stake. There are souls to be saved through the preaching of Christ's salvation plan. The Great Commission must be followed. How church organizations can better carry out the Great Commission is the subject of this book.

So much of our attention in congregational development is spent dealing with internal issues and opportunities that we turn more and more inward. Even our "outward" work smacks of our "inward" bias as we invite people to our events and ponder how to make our events more compelling for those who aren't part of our congregations. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, is known for saying "the world is our parish." Simply stated, the streets are our sanctuary. Our communities are our congregations. Yet too often congregations ignore their neighborhoods. They don't consider the vast resource of people surrounding their church and seem to forget that Pentecost, the very event that gave birth to the church, happened in the streets. It's time for churches and congregations to engage with the people around them--most of whom have not yet made a faith decision but are hungering for the grace that only God can provide. Participate in this study of Nehemiah and discover what people God is asking you to encourage, what walls God is calling you to repair, what ministry God might be calling you to lead or do, and where you should start. This book will give readers inspiration and practical tools for engaging with their communities in ways that help congregations and communities become whole.

Living The Quest is about finding and following God's call on your life. David has been on his great journey back in Biblical times to discover what it means to be given a Quest by God. He is now back in his own time, equipped with the 8 Lessons that he has learned, and facing the reality of what it means to truly follow God. As David recovers from his heart attack and takes the leap of faith that is required of him in order to be on the path with God, he finds his fulfillment in life. Each of us has a Quest that was intended for our lives. God has always intended for you to find your Quest, that journey that brings you the peace of the Almighty, the courage of Jesus Christ, and the confidence of a Child of God. Read this book and allow the main character, David, to help you live the lessons of the Quest and find the path that God is waiting on for you to join Him.

Thirteen lessons on biblical leadership designed to be easily understood and easily taught. Each lesson is built around a memorable diagram to promote recall and sharing.

The first in a series of monographs for servant leaders on difficult leadership challenges common to all types of organizations. Using historical, personal and Biblical examples, My Betrayer examines betrayal by the leader, betrayal by a follower, and perceived betrayal and how to turn betrayal into an opportunity for growth. Trust is essential for people living or working together-whether in a family, a business, or a church. It is often the breakdown of trust that, like a cancer, eats the heart out of organizations. Betrayal is a deliberate breaking of trust and one of the most hurtful actions that one person can inflict upon another. This is especially true when it involves a loved one or close associate. My Betrayer will teach you the steps to take when you encounter betrayal, especially when it comes from a loved one, and how to turn from crippling emotional pain to victory through forgiveness.

Building Bridges During the Interim helps lay, congregational leaders understand the dynamics of congregations during the interim. Lay leaders can make a difference in guiding their respective congregations through the interim. Each search committee is different. The same is true of congregations during the interim. Interims are different for different congregations. Yet, most congregations during the interim have similarities. Interims differ in different congregations because each congregation has its own polity, history, demographic, size, and leadership. This workbook seeks to helps the lay leader answer two questions regarding the interim: 1. What can I expect? 2. What can I do? Building Bridges During the Interim will help lay leaders discern answers to these questions and provide helpful leadership during the critical time of interim.

The primary objective of this volume is to convey the research, observations, and recommendations resulting from my doctoral project. The focus is the preparation of pastors for effectual, long-term service in rural churches. The research for this endeavor centered on the churches and ministers of The Assemblies of God. Although the study took place in Alaska, the data suggests the recommended process could be adapted to a wide range of cultural environments. The study involved assessing the effectual development of Alaska Native pastors with the intent of making recommendations based on the data which was collected and analyzed. Inquiry focused on cultural, organizational, delivery system, and curricular factors pertinent to pastoral development in rural Alaska. I examined Alaskan educational institutions and religious organizations for relevant models regarding preparation of pastors in rural Alaska. Data collection included surveys administered to representative rural Alaskan congregations. Additional information came from interviews with Alaska Native pastors, village elders, as well as institutional and denominational educators. The presentation of my findings to denominational leaders provided a foundation for collaboration leading to changes deemed appropriate to the effectual preparation of Native pastors for rural Alaska. The final section of the book reveals my recommendations as well as recent developments reflecting those observations.

The Consciousness of NOW is a life changing school of ministry on "Personal Transformation" and how to "Live a Stress FREE life in a chaotic world "