Pastoral Helps
Showing 2101–2150 of 2387 results
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Biblical Period
$45.99Add to cart“The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian Church” is a multivolume study by Hughes Oliphant Old that canvasses the history of preaching from the words of Moses at Mount Sinai through modern times. In Volume 1, “The Biblical Period,” Old begins his survey by discussing the roots of the Christian ministry of the Word in the Worship of Israel. He then examines the preaching of Christ and the Apostles. Finally, Old looks at the development and practice of Christian preaching in the second and third centuries, concluding with the ministry of Origen.
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Coming Home
$12.95Add to cartAfter many years of preaching from the first three chapters of Luke and the first two chapters of Matthew, Frank Ramirez decided to preach about something a little different around Christmastime. What evolved was this series of seven messages for the Sundays beginning with Advent and ending with Epiphany.
Why a sermon series based on the Old Testament book of Haggai? Ramirez writes, “I’ve always been fascinated by the lesser known books of the Old Testament, partly because I’m afraid of being embarrassed in heaven if I don’t recognize some of these people!”
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Preaching From The Minor Prophets A Print On Demand Title
$19.99Add to cartDespite the authority and theological richness of the twelve books of the Minor Prophets, these Old Testament writings are perennially neglected by the church and the pulpit. This volume was written to provide clergy with the tools to once again preach from these important texts with confidence and relevancy.
For each of the twelve Minor Prophets, Elizabeth Achtemeier provides a wealth of information useful for preparing a sermon: recommended commentaries, historical context, theological context, and sections dealing with selected texts. These sections include (1) a brief treatment of linguistic and rhetorical features to note, (2) suggested sermon titles designed to arouse the interest of a congregation, and (3) homiletical exposition intended to stimulate preachers as they develop their sermons.
An excellent guide to the books of the Minor Prophets, this volume is unique for its theological depth, presented in clear and simple language for clergy and laity alike.
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When God Says Let Me Alone Cycle A
$12.95Add to cartA man who has delivered sermons on every continent, Dr. William Augustus Jones is a superlative preacher and has been cited as “The Dean of New York’s Great Preachers” by the New York Daily News.
The son and grandson of Baptist ministers, Dr. Jones graduated from the University of Kentucky and Crozer Theological Seminary, and earned a doctoral degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School. He has done special studies at the University of Lagos (Nigeria) and the University of Ghana at Legon. He has served as pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York since September 1962 and led his congregation in the construction of a Neo-Gothic edifice completed in October 1967. Bethany conducts a multi-faceted program with a full-time staff of 27 persons. Included in the outreach ministries is a national radio and television ministry.
Among the many honors he has received is the New York Urban League’s prestigious Frederick Douglass Award. He holds honorary doctorates from Benedict College, Simmons University, Shaw University, and Campbell University. He received an honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree from his alma mater, the University of Kentucky. Recently he was awarded the Doctor of Literature Degree by Evangelical Reformed School of Theology, Toledo. Ohio.
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Cross Resurrection And Ascension Cycle A
$12.95Add to cartThis book of sermons moves from the desert of Ash Wednesday to the cross of Calvary on Good Friday, to the empty tomb on Easter, and finally to Jesus’ return to the Father. Richard Gribble’s preaching style is vibrant and relevant to the person in the pew. The deeply spiritual content is punctuated by poignant story illustrations that illustrate the scriptural text and enlighten the listener.
Preachers will find this book inspiring for their own sermons, while lay readers will discover rich insights to the Bible for their personal study and devotions.
Contents include:
Ash Wednesday: The Journey To Freedom Begins
First Sunday In Lent: Greed Leads To Destruction
Fourth Sunday In Lent: Looking To The Heart
Maundy Thursday: Carrying On The Tradition
Easter Sunday: Our Need To Talk With The Son
Seventh Sunday Of Easter: The Community Of Life
Ascension Sunday: Completing The Master’s Work
… and others. -
Between Gloom And Glory Cycle A
$12.95Add to cartBetween Gloom And Glory is an example of Old Testament preaching at its most powerful and effective. Each of the 15 sermons contains heart-rending illustrations and each sermon builds to a climax of meaning and emotion.
Titles include:
A Baby Isn’t Quite What We Expected Isaiah 2:1-5
What Do You Want For Christmas — Isaiah 35:1-10
Rejoice! — Isaiah 9:2-7
Whispered Preaching — Isaiah 42:1-9
What Does God Want From Us — Micah 6:1-8
Getting It Right For All The Wrong Reasons — Isaiah 58:3-9a
When Conviction And Culture Collide — Deuteronomy 30:15-20
On Turning On The Lights In The Church Building — Exodus 24:12-18 -
Key To Life
$12.95Add to cart11 Chapters
Additional Info
I am a child of God. You are a child of God. That’s what “”Our Father”” means. No one is an orphan. We have a Father: He is powerful; He is eternal; He is loving; He is close by; He knows our thoughts; He knows our needs; He can handle any situation, and He will. (from Chapter One)The eleven chapters of this book provide a resource of new insights into the prayer Jesus taught to His disciples. It could be used for a sermon series, for private devotions, or for small study groups.
Chapter titles include:
Who’s In Charge
God Provides Day By Day
Can I Ever Be Forgiven?
Am I A Forgiving Person?
Standing Strong In Time Of Testing
The Ultimate Dimension -
Reshaping Religious Education
$39.00Add to cartCelebrated religious educators Harris and Moran challenge the religious education community to risk change. They identify a process of creative and imaginative education, moving beyond traditional solutions while incorporating ecumenical and international perspectives.
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Foolishness Of Preaching A Print On Demand Title
$21.99Add to cartWhat is the foundation of good preaching? How should preachers prepare themselves to faithfully and effectively address the church? And, just as importantly, what ought congregants, who come to church to hear a word from God, hope for from their preachers? These are often asked – and often answered – questions. But Robert Farrar Capon tackles them with a freshness and a frankness that make both the questions and the answers new.
In Part 1 of the book, “The Bedrock of Preaching,” Capon discusses how essential it is to have “a passion for the Passion” (to believe passionately in the Good News of salvation in Christ), how to overcome the stumbling blocks to genuinely accepting grace, and how to relinquish a false sense of control over our salvation. This part of the book also has important things to say to those of us who listen to sermons and who look to the pulpit for words of grace and hope that are truly meaningful to our lives today.
In Part 2, “The Practice of Preaching,” Capon concentrates on the mechanics of preaching in anything but a mechanical way. He begins by discussing the ingredients of preaching, emphasizing the importance of not just reading but really hearing the Word in the original Greek and Hebrew, and offers some pointed comments on the Common Lectionary. He then goes on to illustrate how to preach effectively from notes, giving specific, day-by-day suggestions for preparation. He also shows, using the full text of one of his sermons as an example, how to preach from a more fully written manuscript and explains how to move from first notes to final notes for a sermon, again using some of his own notes as an example.
In Capon’s creative hands these instructions are not just a nuts-and-bolts exercise; they are lively, challenging lessons in preaching that, for all their practical advice, never lose touch with the center of preaching and belief – the astonishing grace of Jesus Christ.
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Starting Small Groups
$22.99Add to cartIn Starting Small Groups: Building Communities That Matter, Jeffrey Arnold discusses small groups and details step-by-step the method for designing a small-group ministry to fit a congregation’s unique situations. Adapted from a workbook format that allows each congregation to identify its own particular needs and character, this resource includes ways to plan, envision, and strategize for the formation of small groups.
The author looks at significant issues related to designing or revamping a small-group ministry, including group types; group structure; leadership training and support; marketing; recruiting people into groups; answering the why, when, how, and what of groups; and evaluating so that positive changes can be continually made. Ending each chapter is a series of workbook-style questions. The answers to these questions form the structure and content of each church’s unique ministry design. While individuals, committees, and churches work their way through the questions, they may consult the sample strategy contained in an appendix at the end of the book.
The writing style employed in this resource is simple, graphic, and easy to read. It is written so that both laypersons and pastors will be comfortable using it. Stories abound so that a process that may seem difficult comes to life in these pages.
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When Faith Is Tested
$17.99Add to cartWhen a religious caregiver visits a person who is suffering and dying or who is grieving a tragic death, questions arise concerning faith in God’s goodness and power.This book deals with the pastor’s preparation to deal with personal and cosmic issues of suffering and justice. Zurheide includes suggestions for conducting conversations with the dying.
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Introduction To Pastoral Care
$34.99Add to cartWith 50 years of experience in the field of Christian counseling, Gerkin is eminently qualified to pen this introductory text on the art and science of pastoral care. With his emphasis on striking a balance between faith, culture, community, and individual well-being, Gerkin moves beyond conventional psychotherapeutic models. A memorable work and significant resource.
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Crisis In The Church
$29.95Add to cartDrawing on his wealth of experience as both a seminary professor and minister, John Leith identifies and confronts the contemporary crisis in theological education. He argues that the crisis in the seminaries is interwoven with the crisis in the church, and that the secularization of educational institutions has led seminaries to move away from their primary responsibility – preparing pastors for ministry.
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Leadership Is The Key
$25.99Add to cartEvery clergyperson has a persona: the public role he or she assumes in performing ministry for a congregation or organization. For example, the roles of preaching, pastoring, and church administration “go with the territory” in most congregations. These tasks are part of the employment contract.
Every clergyperson also has an anima: the true inner self, reflecting deeply held ideals of conduct. Because this inner core of being controls how a pastor lives out the details of ministry, anima determines how effectively he or she fits the needs of a particular congregation or ministry role. For example, a minister who relates poorly to youth is seldom productive as a youth minister.
Listing twelve elements of the pastor’s anima mix, Herb Miller asserts that clergy are effective to the extent that the conscious and unconscious choices they make in developing each of these elements fit the needs of the congregation or church organization they serve. In Leadership Is the Key, he offers practical ways to influence these choices and maximize effectiveness in ministry.
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How Long Is Gods Nose
$19.99Add to cartJust how long is God’s nose anyway? And why would that have anything to do with controlling your temper? Why are you better off owning a dog or a cat than a pet walrus? Is the Big Dipper just a constellation — or a story of compassion written in starlight? You’ll find the answers in this delightful collection of children’s sermons by storyteller John Timmer. Bible story and fairy tale, true life and myth — Timmer shares each in turn in ninety jewel-like messages that children ages 5- 9 will take to heart . . . and whose freshness and imagination youth workers, teachers, and parents will love.
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Called Out With
$29.00Add to cartHeterosexuals tell their stories of the struggle for sexual justice in their congregations and their worlds. Inspiring stories of how twenty-seven Presbyterians decided to stand for the inclusion of sexual minorities in the church. Each person’s story is a testament to the struggle to live out personal faith in a public world.
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Student Ministry For The 21 Century
$26.99Add to cartWhy settle for a “youth group” . . . . . . when you can build a dynamic student ministry that keeps more and more students coming — and keeps them growing! From the director of Student Impact, one of the country’s largest and most effective student ministries, here is a clear, step-by-step approach that takes you for a quantum leap beyond merely:
Maintaining a Youth Group . . . to Building a Student Ministry
Activity-driven . . . To purpose-driven
Unclear vision . . . To clear vision Inward focus
Content with the “clique” . . . To outward focus, compassion for lost people
Minimum growth . . . To consistent growth
Songs and games . . . To worship and prayer
Keeps the traditions . . . To evaluates for effectiveness
“Baby-sitting” . . . To impacting the world. -
Living Alone
$28.00Add to cartThis series examines major changes that occur in the life cycle of a family: leaving home, becoming married, raising children, recommitting to a relationship–or committing to a new one–and living alone. Books address the major tasks of the family; rituals that enable effective transitions as those tasks change; beliefs and values from the Christian tradition that shape and are shaped by those family tasks; and pastoral opportunities in response to family life-cycle generations.
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Accountable Leadership : A Resource Guide For Sustaining Legal Financial An (Rev
$29.95Add to cartWith reports of financial impropriety and clergy misconduct making headlines, accountable leadership and sound management practices have become priority concerns in congregations of every faith. Accountable Leadership speaks to congregation leaders, both clergy and laity, and to individuals who love the worshiping community and seek the tools that can enable everyone in it to better care for one another.
This is a practical compAndium of resources for creating and managing a sound, effective, and fair congregation. This new edition has been extensively revised and updated to include contemporary topics such as disturbing trAnds in reduced giving, new church-state issues, clergy misconduct and troublesome members, and legal issues associated with the congregation’s role as employer and provider of pastoral counseling.
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Theology For Preaching
$28.99Add to cartThe heart of the postmodern mind-set is an awareness of the relativity of all human thought and action. In Theology for Preaching, three authors collaborate to discuss the implications for proclamation when the culture behaves as if all human thought and practices are relative. Tips for sermon composition and theme are proposed. Sample sermons are supplied to demonstrate awareness of the cultural shifts that make preaching a worthwhile challenge in a postmodern ethos.
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Clergy Killers : Guidance For Pastors And Congregation Under Attack
$30.00Add to cartIn a startling survey by Leadership, it was discovered that 23 percent of Protestant clergy have been fired at least once, and, even more significantly, 41 percent of congregations have fired at least two pastors. Rediger offers conflict management tactics for these “abusive” congregations.
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Woman Battering
$18.00Add to cartThis is a comprehensive resource for pastoral care in response to the trauma of woman-battering. Theologically grounded and practically applied, Woman Battering is the perfect combination to equip pastors and pastoral counselors to minister with battered women and battering men.
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Graying Gracefully : Preaching To Older Adults
$26.00Add to cartWhen pastors look out over their congregations, there’s a good chance that they see a lot of gray hair. This book gives practical instruction and examples of biblical and theological sermons to this growing population, enabling the preacher to proclaim the gospel more clearly for older adults. Covering topics from biblical and historical views of age to older adults’ need for social justice, each chapter concentrates on the practical issues for preaching to this group and contains a sermon to illustrate the application of the principles discussed.
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Learning Congregation : A New Vision Of Leadership
$25.00Add to cartCongregations today face an adaptive challenge of immense proportions. Many respond with classic signs of work avoidance: holding to past assumptions and blaming authority. Thomas Hawkins’s new vision of church leadership can provide a way to break through these defensive routines. The Learning Congregation is a must read for all pastors and church leaders.
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Grief Transition And Loss
$17.99Add to cartIn Grief, Transition, and Loss, author Wayne Oates calls Christian caregivers to the task of attending to people facing moments of emergency and crisis. Throughout the book Oates draws on his own experiences of loss, and his extensive work with grieving people to build a theological and biblical understanding of the ways in which people encounter challenging times. The book covers a variety of losses–illness, death, separation and divorce, and even a range of work related issues–with sensitivity and grace, and equips caregivers with the tools needed to respond in helpful and lifegiving ways.
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Chain Of Command Cycle C
$12.95Add to cartThese messages based on the Gospel of Luke are presented in a variety of styles:
First person monologues
Short tales to prove a point
Traditional three-point manuscript
A style unique to the author
The focus is always on the scriptural passage and Wales always attempts to provide a strong exposition of its meaning.Sermon titles include:
So Much To Say, So Little Time — John 16:12-15
The Chain Of Command — Luke 7:1-10
The Other Resurrection — Luke 7:11-17
Simply Simon — Luke 7:36–8:3
The Demons Within — Luke 8:26-39
Ya Can’t Make Me — Luke 9:51-62
Were We Surprised! — Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Who Was That Masked Man? — Luke 10:25-37 -
All Stirred Up Cycle C
$12.95Add to cartRichard Patt’s sermons enable the reader/listener to perceive new truths in old stories. As one reads them, it might be tempting to challenge Patt’s observations, to argue against him, to debate his approach … but one is never bored. Only “stirred up” at times.
Sermon titles, based on the Gospel of Luke, include:
It’s Okay To Stir Up God — Luke 11:1-13
The Fear Of Taking The Plunge — Luke 12:32-40
Sabotaging The Sabbath — Luke 13:10-17
The Crux Of Being A Christian — Luke 14:25-33
Nobody Owes You Anything — Luke 17:5-10
… and more! -
Good News Among The Rubble Cycle C
$12.95Add to cartOrmond looks at scripture in a new way and uncovers extraordinary inspiration through his penetrating insights. There is a surprise for the reader/listener in each sermon/chapter as the author explores the Bible passages.
Sermon titles include:
An Extremely Odd Couple — Luke 18:1-8
When Self-Esteem Gets Out Of Hand — Luke 18:9-14
Topsy-Turvy Christianity — Luke 6:20-31
One Bride For Seven Brothers — Luke 20:27-38
Good News Among The Rubble — Luke 21:5-19 -
Preaching From The Pew
$21.00Add to cartIn this deeply spiritual and prophetic collection of sermons, meditations, and prayers, Pat Brown takes the reader on a personal journey into and out of some of the most critical challenges facing the church in these turbulent and confusing times. She unveils her story of God’s handiwork in shaping her life as a child of the Reformed tradition and as the mother of a special needs son. In a time when the call for justice withers on the vine as the church struggles with itself, this book is required reading for every perplexed servant of Jesus Christ.
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Counseling African American Marriages And Families
$29.95Add to cartCounseling African American Marriages and Families Each volume in this series focuses on practical ways to respond to a serious and difficult pastoral concern within clinical and congregational settings. Offering fresh insights from pastoral theology, each volume integrates the most up to date information in psychology and the human sciences. All the authors write out of firsthand counseling experiences as well as the most recent research on their topics. The result is an invaluable series for counselors and pastors who regularly face tough issues as they offer care to clients and congregants. Others in the Series: 4256678, Counseling Depressed Women 425666X, Counseling People with Cancer 4256546, Counseling Troubled Youth
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Connecting To God
$23.00Add to cartAlthough spiritual growth occurs within an individual, Ware explains that it is the calling of the congregation to be a community of support and encouragement. Indeed, it is amidst the support of a group that an individual learns how to live out personal faith. Ware provides a very practical and accessible model of spiritual formation for self-directing groups that can be led by clergy or laity. Includes thorough guidelines, do’s and don’ts, and ground rules for the successful pursuit of spiritual growth in small groups. See also Ware’s helpful book on spiritual type on next page.
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Good Time To Be The Church
$10.00Add to cart“A good time to be the church is right now,” declares Bishop H. George Anderson. Rather than lamenting the lost influence of the church or dreaming of some golden age, Christians can see the spiritual hunger of our time as a special opportunity to speak and act boldly. Solidly grounded in the Bible and Christian history, and keenly aware of contemporary issues, the Lutheran bishop identifies Christian truths that are especially needed in our time. He recalls his own spiritual journey and encourages readers to tell their faith stories. In an engaging question-and- answer format, Anderson helps readers clarify their own beliefs and discover ways to share the Christian faith with others. With questions for reflection and discussion, along with suggested prayers and hymns, this book is a stimulating study guide for congregations, church councils, evangelism committees, and other Christian groups.
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Models For Christian Higher Education A Print On Demand Title
$43.99Add to cartThis timely look at the state of Christian higher education in America contains descriptive, historical narratives that explore how fourteen Christian colleges and universities are successfully integrating faith and learning on their campuses despite the challenges posed by the increasingly pluralistic nature of modern culture. Written by respected representatives from seven major faith traditions – Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, Mennonite, Evangelical, Wesleyan/Holiness, and Baptist/Restorationist – these narratives are also preceded by introductory essays that define the worldview and theological heritage of each given tradition and ask what that tradition can contribute to the task of higher education.
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Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit Series 2 Cycle C
$12.95Add to cartReaders will find 53 gripping stories that will amplify and illustrate the scriptural text for the lectionary for each Sunday. Many are adaptations from literature, while others are original.
Preachers will use this resource to hold their listeners’ attention and help them understand the text. Many others will read it for their own inspiration.
A topical and scriptural index at the back of the book will further aid preachers in using this resource for preaching and public speaking. The index covers subjects from “advice” to “work.”
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In The Carpenters Workshop 1
$13.95Add to cartAs a seminary student Jerry Eckert listened to his seminary professor, Dr. W.J.A. Power, encourage his students to realize how much of scripture is story. “Let that reality enter your preaching,” he instructed them.
Jerry Eckert became a master storyteller and began writing church members’ voices into his story sermons. The result of this involvement on the part of the congregation became a source of joy and fascination to both young and old at “sermon time.”
Have you tried preaching story sermons? If you are interested in learning more ways in which this preaching style can be used, this book will become the most useful resource in your library.
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Its A Matter Of Faith And Life 3
$21.95Add to cartThis book, one of a three-part series, is a narrative reflection on Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. Its uses are many:
A companion guide for catechism classes.
A manual for new adult member classes.
A preaching resource.
Inspirational reading for those who want to know more about the faith-life of a Christian.The book began as a video series broadcast on the Michigan City, Indiana, cable system. The series was also used in the catechetical instruction of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Michigan City, where Dr. Albertin is pastor.
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Its A Matter Of Faith And Life 2
$29.95Add to cartThis book, one of a three-part series, is a narrative reflection on Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. Its uses are many:
A companion guide for catechism classes.
A manual for new adult member classes.
A preaching resource.
Inspirational reading for those who want to know more about the faith-life of a Christian.The book began as a video series broadcast on the Michigan City, Indiana, cable system. The series was also used in the catechetical instruction of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Michigan City, where Dr. Albertin is pastor.
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Its A Matter Of Faith And Life 1
$23.95Add to cartThis book, one of a three-part series, is a narrative reflection on Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. Its uses are many:
A companion guide for catechism classes.
A manual for new adult member classes.
A preaching resource.
Inspirational reading for those who want to know more about the faith-life of a Christian.The book began as a video series broadcast on the Michigan City, Indiana, cable system. The series was also used in the catechetical instruction of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Michigan City, where Dr. Albertin is a pastor.
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12 Keys To An Effective Church (Teacher’s Guide)
$25.00Add to cartIn this indispensable companion volume to Twelve Keys to an Effective Church, Kennon Callahan offers a practical, step-by-step guide for the most productive long-range planning. This guide will help both pastors and church leaders assess the strengths and weaknesses of their churches in 12 areas — ranging from specific mission objectives to solid financial resources — and shows leaders how to determine which methods will work best to advance their church and move their congregations toward action, accomplishment, and success.
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Interventionist
$27.99Add to cartThe most effective way to influence both individual and institutional behavior is to ask questions. The Interventionist provides a conceptual framework for asking questions about congregations, and it classifies various syndromes that prevent a church from making the changes that are needed for new life. It will help church leaders find a good match between the needs of the congregations and the gifts, skills, experience, personality, leadership style, and priorities of the candidate. The book is also a productive guide for the trained, career interim minister who comes purposely for six to twenty-four months to sort out the issues and syndromes that plague a congregation.
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Victims And Sinners
$40.00Add to cartMore than one million Americans participate in nearly 50,000 Alcoholics Anonymous groups in America. Addiction recovery groups such as A.A. often rely on religious themes in their work, offering a form of spirituality as a way to deal with life’s problems. Many recovery groups borrow selectively from theology because the full Christian doctrine of sin can be alienating for those in recovery. Linda Mercadante offers a theological critique of addiction recovery programs and proposes an alternate view of addiction that avoids both excessive blame and excessive victimization. This book is for pastoral counselors, clergy, laypersons, and recovery group members wanting to reassess addiction recovery from a theological perspective. It offers a wake-up call to the church to take seriously the need to establish recovery groups and to construct a language for better dialogue.
