When the Church Was Young


Book Description

If the word trinity isn’t in Scripture, why is it such an important part of our faith? And if the Bible can be interpreted in many ways, how do we know what to make of it? And who decided what should be in the Bible anyway? The Church Fathers provide the answers. These brilliant, embattled, and sometimes eccentric men defined the biblical canon, hammered out the Creed, and gave us our understanding of sacraments and salvation. It is they who preserved for us the rich legacy of the early Church. D’Ambrosio dusts off the dry theology and brings you the exciting stories and great heroes such as Ambrose, Augustine, Basil, Athanasius, Chrysostom, and Jerome. This page-turner will inspire and challenge you with the lives and insights of these seminal teachers from when the Church was young.




When the Church Was Young


Book Description

A voice from out of the past reminds us of radical issues which have not yet been resolved by the Reformation, nor even by Christians living in this modern age. This book reveals that the early church existed, even thrived with only the Holy Spirit guiding her. No formal programs . . . each day was different. No paid clergy . . . the brothers and sisters shared Christ. For you who desire a return to the simplicity and joy of meeting with others under the headship of Christ . . . you will want to read When the Church Was Young.




Josiah and Julia Go to Church


Book Description

Josiah and Julia love to go to church. They love to venerate the icons, light candles, and eat the blessed bread. Sometimes they behave very well--but sometimes they make mistakes. Little ones can follow Josiah and Julia through the Liturgy and learn how even the youngest child can honor God by behaving properly in church.




Growing Young


Book Description

Unleashing the Passion of Young People in Your Church Is Possible! Churches are losing both members and vitality as increasing numbers of young people disengage. Based on groundbreaking research with over 250 of the nation's leading congregations, Growing Young provides a strategy any church can use to involve and retain teenagers and young adults. It profiles innovative churches that are engaging 15- to 29-year-olds and as a result are growing--spiritually, emotionally, missionally, and numerically. Packed with both research and practical ideas, Growing Young shows pastors and ministry leaders how to position their churches to engage younger generations in a way that breathes vitality, life, and energy into the whole church. Visit www.churchesgrowingyoung.org for more information.




Young Catholic America


Book Description

Best Review at the Catholic Press Association Convention Studies of young American Catholics over the last three decades suggest a growing crisis in the Catholic Church: compared to their elders, young Catholics are looking to the Church less as they form their identities, and fewer of them can even explain what it means to be Catholic and why that matters. Young Catholic America, the latest book based on the groundbreaking National Study of Youth and Religion, explores a crucial stage in the life of Catholics. Drawing on in-depth surveys and interviews of Catholics and ex-Catholics ages 18 to 23--a demographic commonly known as early "emerging adulthood"--leading sociologist Christian Smith and his colleagues offer a wealth of insight into the wide variety of religious practices and beliefs among young Catholics today, the early influences and life-altering events that lead them to embrace the Church or abandon it, and how being Catholic affects them as they become full-fledged adults. Beyond its rich collection of statistical data, the book includes vivid case studies of individuals spanning a full decade, as well as insight into the twentieth-century events that helped to shape the Church and its members in America. An innovative contribution to what we know about religion in the United States and the evolving Catholic Church, Young Catholic America is the definitive source for anyone seeking to understand what it means to be young and Catholic in America today.




You Lost Me


Book Description

Close to 60 percent of young people who went to church as teens drop out after high school. Now the bestselling author of unChristian trains his researcher's eye on these young believers. Where Kinnaman's first book unChristian showed the world what outsiders aged 16-29 think of Christianity, You Lost Me shows why younger Christians aged 16-29 are leaving the church and rethinking their faith. Based on new research, You Lost Me shows pastors, church leaders, and parents how we have failed to equip young people to live "in but not of" the world and how this has serious long-term consequences. More importantly, Kinnaman offers ideas on how to help young people develop and maintain a vibrant faith that they embrace over a lifetime.




Why Are the Young People Leaving the Church


Book Description

If you are a parent, an elder, a youth leader, a pastor, a priest, or a young person, inside or outside of the church, this book is written just for you. The youth of today are facing serious issues, causing an unprecedented apathy in their walk with God. It is said throughout the Bible that the youth will finish the battle. They shall rise and have visions; they will lead a holy revolution and finish the gospel. Therefore, the enemy is like a roaring lion seeking them especially to devour. This book offers an analytic view of what is going on in our churches and provides practical solutions. The book is not at all biased; it is well-grounded. The book merely advocates religion but greatly elevates the Bible as the one and true guide to living a godly life. Sometimes the youth are overlooked, but that does not mean they must leave. There is a raging storm on the outside, and the only safe place is in the ark of safety. As described in the chapters, there is much fun in the world, but they also come with consequences as did for Adam and Eve. Traditions and culture can sometimes wrongly influence the youth, but knowing Gods truth should serve as an anchor to keep Christians grounded. The enablers tacitly infiltrate pagan customs, which causes other religions to question Christianitys genuineness, but the truth of the matter is Christianity is not the problem. We must remain faithful, be active in sharing the gospel, and when Jesus, our redeemer, returns as the groom to take His bride, the church, hopefully we will all be part of the remnant elect.




Church


Book Description

Acclaimed playwright and director Young Jean Lee transforms her life-long struggle with Christianity into an exuberant church service. Both celebratory and confrontational, CHURCH will test the expectations of religious and non-religious alike—looking deep into why we believe what we believe.




The Way of the Fathers


Book Description

From the pious to the practical, the reflections of the Fathers of the Church cover virtually every aspect of the Christian life. Noted author Mike Aquilina has compiled their ancient axioms into a concise collection of comments designed for busy, modern readers. Pray with the poetry of St. Gregory Nazianzen. Find clear direction in the practical advice of St. Jerome. And, let your heart turn toward the heavenly Jerusalem, following the 1,000 timeless treasures in The Way of the Fathers. "A power-packed collection of the Fathers' concise, clear, and challenging statements on issues still relevant to Christians today. A helpful tool, for anyone seeking to live the authentic Gospel life as understood by the first Christians."




When the Church was a Family


Book Description

A study of the early Christian church in the Mediterranean region and its emphasis on collective good over individual desire clarifies much about what is wrong with the American church today.