This vital revised and expanded update to How to Thrive in Associate Staff Ministry (Alban, 2000) provides guidance to the growing population of staff members employed by churches. Churches are expanding their staffs, but the turnover rate remains high, often due to stress, isolation, and conflict on the job. Lawson and Boersma address what it takes to thrive personally, professionally, and relationally within associate staff ministry. Based on updated research and interviews with over 600 veteran associate staff members from many different denominations, Lawson and Boersma describe the priorities, attitudes, and practices that can help associate staff members thrive in their ministry roles. They present, explain, and illustrate a four-part Model for Thriving in Associate Staff Ministry, a concrete framework that readers can use to help achieve satisfaction and balance in their own lives. In addition to addressing those in associate staff roles, the book also includes chapters to help supervising pastors and church boards support their associate staff members. Each chapter includes questions for personal reflection or discussion with others to help readers engage with the material and determine what steps they might take to improve their own experience in associate staff ministry."

Every church, no matter its size, location or denomination, has a rising number of single people on the leadership staff. This book presents a research-based perspective on the joys, opportunities, and challenges of being single in vocational ministry. Through extensive interviews and focus groups, this book presents both a practical application and a positive message for those considering entering the church as a single clergy or pastoral leader.

Every church, no matter its size, location or denomination, has a rising number of single people on the leadership staff. This book presents a research-based perspective on the joys, opportunities, and challenges of being single in vocational ministry. Through extensive interviews and focus groups, this book presents both a practical application and a positive message for those considering entering the church as a single clergy or pastoral leader.

This vital revised and expanded update to How to Thrive in Associate Staff Ministry (Alban, 2000) provides guidance to the growing population of staff members employed by churches. Churches are expanding their staffs, but the turnover rate remains high, often due to stress, isolation, and conflict on the job. Lawson and Boersma address what it takes to thrive personally, professionally, and relationally within associate staff ministry. Based on updated research and interviews with over 600 veteran associate staff members from many different denominations, Lawson and Boersma describe the priorities, attitudes, and practices that can help associate staff members thrive in their ministry roles. They present, explain, and illustrate a four-part Model for Thriving in Associate Staff Ministry, a concrete framework that readers can use to help achieve satisfaction and balance in their own lives. In addition to addressing those in associate staff roles, the book also includes chapters to help supervising pastors and church boards support their associate staff members. Each chapter includes questions for personal reflection or discussion with others to help readers engage with the material and determine what steps they might take to improve their own experience in associate staff ministry."

Description: Evangelical Christian Education provides five of the most significant mid-twentieth-century foundational texts from the leading experts in the field of Evangelical Christian education. Charles B. Eavey Frank E. Gaebelein Findley B. Edge Lois E. LeBar Lawrence O. Richards

Synopsis: How important is childhood in the spiritual formation of a person? How do children experience God in the context of their lives as they grow? What does God do in the lives of children to draw them to himself and help them grow into a vital relationship with him? How can adults who care about children better support their spiritual growth and direct it toward relationship with God through Jesus Christ? These are critical questions that church leaders face as they consider how best to nurture the faith of the children God brings into our lives. In this book, over two dozen Christian scholars and ministry leaders explore important issues about the spiritual life of children and ways parents, church leaders, and others who care about children can promote their spiritual formation. Endorsements: "An excellent resource for students and all who desire to continue growing in their understanding of children and their Christian formation. Authors from varied Christian traditions provide insights from theology, history, the social sciences, and research. They address pressing issues and suggest important practices for ministries with children today. Those interested in research with children will find interesting examples of research design." --Dr. Catherine Stonehouse Emeritus Dean of the School of Practical Theology, Orlean Bullard Beeson Professor of Christian Discipleship, Asbury Theological Seminary "This impressive . . . collection draws together twenty-nine contributors from very diverse backgrounds to address theology and research, but also children's spirituality in the contexts of family, church, and community. Lawson has integrated this complexity with grace. Understanding will join the first two volumes in this important series on the shelves of the Center for the Theology of Childhood in Denver." --Rev. Dr. Jerome W. Berryman Author of Children and the Theologians (2009), Teaching Godly Play: How to Mentor the Spiritual Development of Children (2009), and The Complete Guide to Godly Play (8 vols., 2002-2012) "This volume is a treasure trove of wisdom on Christian faith and children's spirituality. It showcases the best thought of leading scholars and ministers on topics of relevance to children's formation, ranging from classic theologians like Irenaeus to modern psychologists like Piaget to familiar worship practices like baptism and christening. The collection should be of interest to those eager to engage children as active participants in the Christian life." --Bonnie Miller-McLemore E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Pastoral Theology, Vanderbilt University Author of Let the Children Come: Reimaging Childhood from a Christian Perspective (2003) and In the Midst of Chaos: Care of Children as Spiritual Practice (2006) Editor Biography: Kevin E. Lawson is Professor of Christian Education and Director of PhD and EdD programs in Educational Studies at Talbot School of Theology of Biola University in La Mirada, California. He served as the chair of the planning team for the Children's Spirituality Conference: Christian Perspectives from 2001 through 2009. He is author of How to Thrive in Associate Staff Ministry (2000).