Unity in the Church Or the Principle of Catholicism


Book Description

Originally written in 1825, this book upholds a romantic view of the Catholic Church, describing it as the organic development of the life-giving Holy Spirit. It uses the works of the Church Fathers to demonstrates to contemporary Protestant opponents that the Scriptures arose from within the Church.




Until Unity: Study Guide


Book Description

Christians cannot remain indifferent to the divisions in the Church today. In this study guide companion, Chan draws on the gospel infused message of Until Unity to remind readers that Church unity is not optional. This study guide includes: Deeper exploration of every chapter in Until Unity Free original videos with Francis Chan Tips for leading and participating in a small group Scripture passages and reflection questions Prompts for group and individual prayer Chan’s emphasis on worship and praise, along with his passionate teaching, make this guide a unique and life-changing exploration of why unity is not just God’s wish for His Church—it’s His command.




Baptism Today


Book Description

Our common belonging to Christ through baptism creates a bond that transcends the historic and theological differences among the churches; and the mutual recognition of baptism has emerged as a cornerstone of the modern ecumenical movement. Yet significant differences--some threatening the search for the unity of the Church--remain. This book explores the significance of baptism for the churches, and the ecumenical movement, today. Descriptive articles explain the understanding and practice of baptism within a wide range of Christian churches and confessions; these are complemented by baptismal liturgies from many churches, examples of mutual recognition agreements, and reflections on topics such as the role of baptism in increasingly secularized societies. The volume is enhanced by survey articles by prominent liturgists, reviewing the current opportunities--and challenges--facing the churches in the area of baptism. This book will be an important resource for all who wish to explore the understanding and practice of baptism, and its role in the life of the churches and of the ecumenical movement today.




Church Undivided


Book Description

Imagine if every church were a community of believers dedicated wholly to God and growing together as followers of Christ. Is the atmosphere in your church one of peace or contention? Of joyful sacrifice or selfish ambition? It's easy to get distracted by the problems in your church brought on by sinful and self-centered living. 1 Corinthians provides a guide for unity, service, and interaction with worldly culture. If any congregation knew about problems, it was the church in ancient Corinth. Yet, these principles are as relevant and helpful today as they were for the early church. In this practical, challenging book, you will discover: - How to navigate the tricky relationship between the church and our the culture - How to answer questions about rights, preferences, and gray areas among believers - How to protect and promote unity in the church - Why love and truth rank higher than liberty and individualism Each chapter concludes with thought-provoking questions and a suggested action step so you can apply these truths to your own church community, ministry, and personal walk with God. God calls us not only into community with other believers, but unity as well. With community comes great challenges, as we are all sinners. Church Undivided details God's vision for unity in His church and Paul's guidance to create it within our own churches. About the author: Bob Ingle is the lead pastor at Waypoint Church in St. Charles, Missouri. For over a decade, he has faithfully preached the Word and equipped believers to serve God using their unique gifts. Pastor Ingle's heart is to see people transformed by truth and engaged as faithful disciples of Christ in an authentic community.




The Unity of the Nations


Book Description

What did ancient Christians and pagans believe makes the unity of the nations? Just as he began serving as a major adviser at the Second Vatican Council in 1962, Joseph Ratzinger (the future Pope Benedict XVI) studied this question in lectures delivered at Austria's University of Salzburg. These lectures, originally published in German, are now made available in English in this volume.




For the Good of the Church


Book Description

What do we need to learn and receive from the other to help us address challenges or wounds in our own tradition? That is the key question asked in what has come to be known as ‘receptive ecumenism’. And nowhere is this question more pressing and pertinent than in women’s experiences within the church. Based on qualitative research from five focus groups, 'For the Good of the Church' expose the difficulties women face when they work in a church – sexism, unfulfilled vocation, and abuse of power and privilege, as well as the wide range of gifts and skills which women bring in light of these. The second part of the book continues to draw on the particular wounds and gifts, which arise in the focus groups. Specific case studies are used to identify gifts of theology, practice, experience, vocation and power. Against negative prognoses of an ‘ecumenical winter’, Gabrielle Thomas reveals how radically different theological and ecclesiological perspectives can be a space for learning and receiving gifts for the well-being of the whole Church.




Unity of the Churches


Book Description

"Endorsements: ""For Fries and Rahner unity is no longer an option but a matter of the very credibility and survival of the Christian faith. They are pessimistic that, all good will notwithstanding, those in leadership positions will bring about a unity of the churches in the near future. Yet they see objective possibilities for the attainment of a far-reaching unity. To this end they propose eight theses and elaborate on them."" --Hans Schwarz, author of Method and Context as Problems for Contemporary Theology: Doing Theology in an Alien World "




All Together Different


Book Description

Can we all just get along? E Pluribus Unum: “Out of many, one.” This motto is emblazoned on the Great Seal of the United States, but it could be the church’s model, too. Unfortunately, the daily experience of many Christians and churches feels like the opposite: out of one, many. We are increasingly aware of what makes us different from others, and it is hurting the church and its witness. All Together Different will help readers understand why we find it so difficult “to just get along.” Drawing from research on personal and group identity, it equips readers to navigate a culture that often pays lip service to the value of diversity, but struggles to foster constructive dialogue and mutual respect. With clear writing and real-life stories, All Together Different translates social identity theory for pastors, church leaders, and ministry practitioners, exposing it to the light of biblical and theological reflection.




Center Church


Book Description

Practical and Gospel-centered thoughts on how to have a fruitful ministry by one of America's leading and most beloved pastor. Many church leaders are struggling to adapt to a culture that values individuality above loyalty to a group or institution. There have been so many "church growth" and "effective ministry" books in the past few decades that it's hard to know where to start or which ones will provide useful and honest insight. Based on over twenty years of ministry in New York City, Timothy Keller takes a unique approach that measures a ministry's success neither by numbers nor purely by the faithfulness of its leaders, but on the biblical grounds of fruitfulness. Center Church outlines a balanced theological vision for ministry organized around three core commitments: Gospel-centered: The gospel of grace in Jesus Christ changes everything, from our hearts to our community to the world. It completely reshapes the content, tone, and strategy of all that we do. City-centered: With a positive approach toward our culture, we learn to affirm that cities are wonderful, strategic, and under-served places for gospel ministry. Movement-centered: Instead of building our own tribe, we seek the prosperity and peace of our community as we are led by the Holy Spirit. "Between a pastor's doctrinal beliefs and ministry practices should be a well-conceived vision for how to bring the gospel to bear on the particular cultural setting and historical moment. This is something more practical than just doctrine but much more theological than "how-to steps" for carrying out a ministry. Once this vision is in place, it leads church leaders to make good decisions on how to worship, disciple, evangelize, serve, and engage culture in their field of ministry—whether in a city, suburb, or small town." — Tim Keller, Core Church




Crazy Love


Book Description

Revised & Updated Edition! God is love. Crazy, relentless, all-powerful love. Have you ever wondered if we're missing it? It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe—the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor—loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss. Whether you've verbalized it yet or not, we all know something's wrong. Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts—it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same. Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything. Learn more about Crazy Love at www.crazylovebook.com.