This introductory textbook establishes theatrical improvisation as a model for Christian ethics, helping Christians embody their faith in the practices of discipleship. Clearly, accessibly, and creatively written, it has been well received as a text for courses in Christian ethics. The repackaged edition has updated language and recent relevant resources, and it includes a new afterword by Wesley Vander Lugt and Benjamin D. Wayman that explores the reception and ongoing significance of the text.

The Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible advances the assumption that the Nicene creedal tradition, in all its diversity, provides the proper basis for the interpretation of the Bible as Christian scripture. The series volumes, written by leading theologians, encourage Christians to extend the vital roots of the ancient Christian tradition to our day. In this addition to the acclaimed series, two respected scholars offer a theological exegesis of Esther and Daniel. As with other volumes in the series, this book is ideal for those called to ministry, serving as a rich resource for preachers, teachers, students, and study groups.

Two contemporary theologians, Samuel Wells and Stanley Hauerwas, add their voices to the ongoing conversation about Christian life in the twenty-first century. This third book in the In Conversation series dives deeply into the theological and personal ideas and motivations for the work of two prominent Christian thinkers. Readers will discover their thoughts on the Trinity, parish ministry, and non-violence, along with anecdotes and intimate notions on marriage, family, and even baseball. Followers of Wells's and Hauerwas's theological and homiletical work will find out what has influenced them most, and where they'd like to go from here. A fascinating read for Episcopalians and Anglicans, and those who enjoyed the first two In Conversation books.

Richard Carter swapped a life of simplicity with an Anglican religious order in the Solomon Islands for parish ministry in one of London's busiest churches, St Martin-in-the-Fields. Seeing a need for monastic values in the centre of the city, he founded the Nazareth Community. Its members gather from everyday life to seek God in contemplation, to acknowledge their dependence on God's grace and to learn to live openly and generously with all. Part story, part spiritual meditation, The City is My Monastery offers spiritual wisdom for daily life rooted in the Nazareth Community's seven guiding principles: Silence, Service, Scripture, Sacrament, Sharing, Sabbath Time and Staying.

Born at a time of intense religious controversy, Anglicanism was marked from the start by an ability to hold opposing Catholic and Protestant tendencies together in a wise and generous spirit. Rooted in the earliest formularies of faith, it was able to withstand many passing theological disputes. As disagreements threaten once again to separate one Christian from another, here is a succinct and timely reminder of the core beliefs and values that unite all Anglicans so powerfully. What Anglicans Believe is ideal for new and seasoned but weary believers. A refreshing and inspirational guide, it is arranged in four parts: The Faith - what we believe The Source of the Faith - the famous 3-legged stool of Scripture, reason and tradition The Order of the Faith - how our worship and mission reflect our beliefs The Character of the Faith - how our history equips us to deal with new challenges

Christmas and Easter, Advent and Lent, each focus on the central beliefs of Christian faith – that in the Incarnation, God comes among us, and that in the Resurrection, death is defeated and creation is renewed. In this collection of seasonal reflections, Samuel Wells unpacks the substance of these key Christian doctrines, and explores their practical implications for living as Christians in the world: - Laid in a Manger: Reflections on the Nativity - The Word was Made Flesh: Reflections on Christmas - The Image of the Invisible God: Reflections on the Incarnation - Early on the First Day of the Week: Reflections on Easter Morning - I have Seen the Lord: Reflections on the Risen Christ An ideal resource for leading seasonal services or preaching at key festivals, this collection will keep giving from Advent Sunday to Easter Day.

With senseless violence occurring throughout society, people are suffering and communities are groaning. Fear and not knowing where to begin hold many back from doing anything at all. But is "doing something" really what is most needed? Marcia Owen and Samuel Wells come together to tell the story of a community's journey through four different dimensions of social engagement. After attempts to seek legislative solutions led nowhere, a religious coalition began holding prayer vigils for local victims of gun violence. It was then that Owen discovered the beauty of simply being present. Through her friendships with both victims and offenders, Owen learned that being present was precisely the opposite of violence--it was love. And to truly love others as God loves us meant living without enemies and taking small steps toward reconciliation. Owen and Wells offer deep insights into what it takes to overcome powerlessness, transcend fear and engage in radical acceptance in our dangerous world. Your view of ministry will be altered by this poignant tale of coming face-to-face with our God who loves boundlessly and has no enemies.

Episcopalian identity tends to focus on history and worship, and sometimes on ethics but "cradle" and new Episcopalians plus seekers will benefit from having a brief, accessible summary of the Christian faith as seen through an Episcopalian lens. There are two underlying convictions behind the book: first, that ecumenism is at the heart of the Episcopal faith. Episcopalians are well placed to offer themselves as a place of convergence between Roman

Catholics and Protestants, and even between Roman Catholics and the Orthodox. Secondly, in the current conflicts both within the Episcopal Church and between the Episcopal Church and some of its Anglican Communion partners, there is no fundamental difference in doctrine. The book is an attempt to portray what all parties have in common.

The book comes in four parts:

The Faith

Sources of the Faith

The Order of the Faith

The Character of the Faith

As one of today’s outstanding preachers, Samuel Wells understands the importance of proclamation in the life of the church and in the public sphere. In this practical and inspiration manual, he considers the essentials of preaching in a wide range of contexts: Preaching on the Times: preaching about politics, the planet, economics, justice and truth; Preaching on the Seasons: preaching at Christmas, Easter, Ascension, Harvest and All Saints; Preaching Texts: preaching on Old Testament Narratives, on Old Testament Poetry on the Gospels, on the Parables, and on Paul; Preaching Contexts: preaching at baptisms, weddings, funerals, after a tragedy, and preaching at short notice without a text. Each section considers styles of preaching, what the occasion demands, practical advice for preparing, two sample sermons and a list of dos and don’ts.

Act Justly is the final book in the trilogy begun by Walk Humbly and Love Mercy, together forming an introduction to Christian faith and life. Taking their inspiration from a question posed in the Old Testament, 'What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God', each book in the series offers a practical ethic for living that is rooted in timeless wisdom. Focusing on two of the most outstanding justice issues of our day - racial and climate injustice - as well as individual stories of injustice, Act Justly offers practical ways of thinking about justice and cultivating habits of justice to foster the life of God, so that injustice can be challenged and the world can be changed.