Serving With Grace


Book Description

Discover how to experience congregational work as an integrated element in a fully rounded spiritual life. Written for both those in the more typically recognized "leadership roles" such as board members and committee chairs as well as for those who lead while serving on a committee, teaching in religious education or helping to pull together the Holiday Fair. Makes a useful addition to a congregation's leadership development programs.




Co-workers in the Vineyard of the Lord


Book Description

Co-workers in the Vineyard of the Lord offers pastoral and theological reflections on the reality of lay ecclesial ministry, affirmation of those who serve in this way, and a synthesis of best thinking and practice.




Transforming Worship


Book Description

Spiritual formation is the key to the survival of our faith. According to worship leader Rory Noland, in order to stem the tide of nominal Christianity we need to reclaim our worship services as formative spaces that are substantive and purposeful. Combining discipleship and worship—what Noland calls transforming worship—he offers a vision for worship as spiritual formation.




Nurturing Hope


Book Description

Trends and skills for those who offer pastoral care Christian pastoral care has changed a great deal in the past few decades in response to many factors in our rapidly changing world. In part 1 of Nurturing Hope, Lynne Baab discusses seven trends in pastoral care--shifts in who delivers pastoral care, the attitudes and commitments that undergird pastoral care, and societal trends that are shaping pastoral care today. She illustrates them with stories from diverse congregations where Christian caregivers are meeting those challenges in creative and exciting ways. In the second half of the book, Baab presents four practical, doable, energizing skills needed by pastoral carers in our time. Focusing on skills that help carers nurture connections between everyday life and Christian faith, she explores the need for carers to understand common stressors, listen, pray with others, and nurture their personal resilience. Grounded in an understanding of God as the true caregiver and healer, the author offers tips for readers who are training other pastoral carers or developing their own understanding and skills. Each chapter ends with discussion and reflection questions, making the book helpful for groups. Lynne Baab brings readers hope for their caring role and for their own spiritual journey.




Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership


Book Description

In this expanded edition of her spiritual formation classic, Ruth Haley Barton invites us to an honest exploration of what happens when spiritual leaders lose track of their souls. Weaving together contemporary illustrations with penetrating insight from the life of Moses, Barton explores topics such as facing the loneliness of leadership, leading from your authentic self, reenvisioning the promised land and more.




For the Common Good


Book Description

For the Common Good reminds us that the Holy Spirit gives each Christian one or more spiritual gifts to be used for the common good. It guides readers to discover their own particular gifts and learn to use their gifts to serve others. Examining key passages in Paul's writings, author Christine Harman leads readers through a personal spiritual gift assessment. She names 25 distinct spiritual gifts—such as discernment, hospitality, compassion, evangelism, or music—and helps people explore scripture references on each one. After identifying their particular gifts, clergy and laypeople will learn how to apply them for the good of their church, community, and the world. This book is ideal for both group study and self-discovery. The book also includes suggestions for how to build a ministry team based on the gifts of each individual. This book is the text for a Lay Servant Ministries advanced course on spiritual gifts. It also can be used for a small-group study.




Lay Ministry


Book Description

The author has achieved his goal of providing spiritual and pastoral support for lay ministry by covering a wide spectrum of interests: historical information, spiritual growth, personal reflection, and career choices." - Lay Ministry Newsletter of the National Association for Lay MinistryLay Ministry unmasks the notion for the average Catholic that the consistancy of the tradition is also unquestionably clear. Rademacher routes us from Moses to Paul, from Ignatious to Gregory VII to John Paul II, tracing both the theology and practices that underlie contemporary ministry in the church. The trail is one that few Catholics have ever had the chance to walk, and the end point is far different from the one to which we have become accustomed. Rademacher makes points that must be understood and discussed at every level of the church if the church is to remain vibrant in our own times. The limiting definition of the seven sacraments, the restriction on lay participation in the church, the loss of the spiritual meaning of ministry, the clericalization of the church, the effects of sexism on sacrementality, and an inadequate understanding of the nature of the Christian call are all stones across the door of the tomb that block the resurrection of the church to the fullness of life. Rademacher faces them all, forthrightly and courageously. What's more he makes us face them too. Do I recommend it? I would assign it." - Joan Chittister, O.S.B.




Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course Participant's Book


Book Description

"God calls you to a life of servanthood as a disciple of Jesus Christ. …Lay Servant Ministries is the first step for many laypersons toward their faith journey as they strive for a closer relationship with the Lord," the authors write in the introduction. The Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course is a foundational course designed to equip new church leaders and renew current leaders in The United Methodist Church. It explores personal spiritual gifts servant leadership each leader's role in developing future leaders the importance of consistent spiritual practices the core ministries of Leading, Caring, and Communicating and much more. The Basic Course can be used for both adults and youth. Consisting of five two-hour sessions, it may serve as a short-term study for small groups, Sunday school classes, and new member classes. NOTE: This book replaces the Lay Speaking Ministries Basic Course, DR551. The Leader's Guide is also available here.




THE PRACTICE OF LAY MINISTRY


Book Description

Practicing lay ministry is becoming more difficult for the lay minister in these present times. First, the lay minister has the challenge of balancing work, family, and ministry. Also, the lay minister has the challenge of allocating time for prayers and fasting, soulwinning, outreaches, follow-up, and visitation. Thus, time management becomes a major challenge. Therefore, in this book, I will focus on time management, mastering time, time allocation theory, time exchange market (TIREX), time operating machine, and how to buy time in the midst of your busy schedule. I will also focus on the major activities or practices that make up lay ministry and practical steps you may apply in executing these practices.




Pursuing God's Will Together


Book Description

Church boards and other Christian leadership teams have long relied on models adapted from the business world. Ruth Haley Barton, president of the Transforming Center, helps teams transition to a much more fitting model—the spiritual community that practices discernment together.




Recent Books