Creative Ministry

Creative Ministry PDF Author: Henri J. M. Nouwen
Publisher: Image
ISBN: 0804152063
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 146

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Book Description
According to Henri Nouwen, the bestselling spiritual writer, every Christian is a minister—trying to live his life in the light of the Gospel. Creative Ministry is a thoughtful examination of the various complex tasks that are part of that way of life.Separate chapters treat each of the five areas that Nouwen considers the primary responsibilities of the minister: teaching, preaching, counseling, organizing, and celebrating. He shows how these main functions are inextricably tied to the minister’s spiritual life and why they must be directed toward a creative dialogue with other Christians if they are to be rewarding. It is also essential, he maintains, that the minister leave himself open, take risks, and “lay down his life for his friends” in order to give new life.“There is today a great hunger for a new spirituality,” observes Nouwen, a hunger that requires new and creative forms of ministry. Citing numerous examples from his rich experience, the author offers practical advice for infusing daily pastoral work with meaning. The result is an insightful presentation and a resonant spiritual guide for every man and woman who wants to be of service.

Creative Ministry

Creative Ministry PDF Author: Henri J. M. Nouwen
Publisher: Image
ISBN: 0804152063
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 146

Get Book Here

Book Description
According to Henri Nouwen, the bestselling spiritual writer, every Christian is a minister—trying to live his life in the light of the Gospel. Creative Ministry is a thoughtful examination of the various complex tasks that are part of that way of life.Separate chapters treat each of the five areas that Nouwen considers the primary responsibilities of the minister: teaching, preaching, counseling, organizing, and celebrating. He shows how these main functions are inextricably tied to the minister’s spiritual life and why they must be directed toward a creative dialogue with other Christians if they are to be rewarding. It is also essential, he maintains, that the minister leave himself open, take risks, and “lay down his life for his friends” in order to give new life.“There is today a great hunger for a new spirituality,” observes Nouwen, a hunger that requires new and creative forms of ministry. Citing numerous examples from his rich experience, the author offers practical advice for infusing daily pastoral work with meaning. The result is an insightful presentation and a resonant spiritual guide for every man and woman who wants to be of service.

Arts Ministry

Arts Ministry PDF Author: Michael J. Bauer
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 0802869289
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 352

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Book Description
First United Methodist Church in Augusta, Georgia, gives concerts to raise money for local service organizations. Trinity Lutheran Church in Mission, Kansas, has been sponsoring a religious art show for more than twenty-five years. Fellowship Lutheran Church runs a Christian arts camp for young people every summer. These are just three of the eighteen case studies of practicing arts ministries in this book, in which Michael Bauer encourages the nurture and support of all the creative gifts of God's people. Bauer lays a solid foundation for arts ministry, grounding it in the historic Christian tradition and urging churches to expand their engagement with the creative arts -- "to live and worship in full color," as he puts it. A concluding chapter clearly lays out how to develop an arts ministry, helping readers to take these ideas from theory to practice, to embrace and celebrate the continuing creative activity of God in the church.

Creative Ideas for Ministry with the Aged

Creative Ideas for Ministry with the Aged PDF Author: Sue Pickering
Publisher: Canterbury Press
ISBN: 1848256485
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
Creative Ideas for Ministry with the Aged is a wise, timely and practical handbook that meets the urgent need for resources for ministry among the elderly. Written out of the author's own experience as a chaplain to a residential care community, it is suitable for ministers who visit the elderly; chaplains, pastoral visitors and caregivers; and all who help train others in elderly pastoral care. Part 1 explores the key theological elements of ministry with the aged, focusing on themes such as the sacrament of the present moment. It asks what constitutes spiritual care and conversation with those whose minds and bodies are failing? Part 2 provides simple service outlines for 'reconnecting with old treasures'; and includes liturgies for communion services, services of the word and remembering special days. Parts 3 and 4 offer imaginative ideas for pastoral practices and spiritual activities using prayer, song, laughter, memory, touch, anointing and more to address questions of loss, letting go, forgiveness, dying and resurrection.

The Wounded Healer

The Wounded Healer PDF Author: Henri J. M. Nouwen
Publisher: Image
ISBN: 0385148038
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 145

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Book Description
A radically fresh interpretation of how we can best serve others from the bestselling author of The Return of the Prodigal Son, hailed as “one of the world’s greatest spiritual writers” by Christianity Today “In our own woundedness, we can become a source of life for others.” In this hope-filled and profoundly simple book, Henri Nouwen inspires devoted men and women who want to be of service in their church or community but who have found traditional outreach alienating and ineffective. Weaving keen cultural analysis with his psychological and religious insights, Nouwen presents a balanced and creative theology of service that begins with the realization of fundamental woundedness in human nature. According to Nouwen, ministers are called to identify the suffering in their own hearts and make that recognition the starting point of their service. Ministers must be willing to go beyond their professional, somewhat aloof roles and leave themselves open as fellow human beings with the same wounds and suffering as those they serve. In other words, we heal from our wounds. The Wounded Healer is a thoughtful and insightful guide that will be welcomed by anyone engaged in the service of others.

Forgiving the Nightmare

Forgiving the Nightmare PDF Author: Mark Sowersby
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781951475185
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 128

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Book Description
Forgiving the Nightmare is a testimony of forgiveness, God's grace, and overcoming in the midst of life's hurts, pains, and abuses. Mark has been rescued from traumatic childhood abuse and restored through the power of God's Word and prayer.

Creative Church Handbook

Creative Church Handbook PDF Author: J. Scott McElroy
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830841202
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 302

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Book Description
Now is the time for the church to reclaim its role as a center of creativity. Among your members are artists and musicians whose gifts can enhance your worship, inform your theology and impact your community. Christian arts advocate J. Scott McElroy gives a comprehensive vision and manual for unleashing creativity in your congregation.

Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome

Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome PDF Author: R. Kent Hughes
Publisher: Crossway
ISBN: 1433521016
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Book Description
Every year thousands of God's servants leave the ministry convinced they are failures. Years ago, in the midst of a crisis of faith, Kent Hughes almost became one of them. But instead he and his wife Barbara turned to God's Word, determined to learn what God had to say about success and to evaluate their ministry from a biblical point of view. This book describes their journey and their liberation from the "success syndrome"-the misguided belief that success in ministry means increased numbers. In today's world it is easy to be seduced by the secular thinking that places a number on everything. But the authors teach that true success in ministry lies not in numbers but in several key areas: faithfulness, serving, loving, believing, prayer, holiness, and a Christlike attitude. Their thoughts will encourage readers who grapple with feelings of failure and lead them to a deeper, fuller understanding of success in Christian ministry. This book was originally published by Tyndale in 1987 and includes a new preface.

Young Adult Ministry in the 21st Century

Young Adult Ministry in the 21st Century PDF Author: Brad Lewis
Publisher: Group Publishing (Company)
ISBN: 9780764428012
Category : Church work with young adults
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Perk your young adult ministry up with a highly caffeinated serving of practical ideas! A must-have for any young adult leader, this resource is bursting with fresh insights that are packed in bite-sized portions. You'll see young adults thriving, engaging with one another, and deepening their faith when you apply the creative concepts and simple strategies in this book. Jam-packed with creative concepts on subjects such as: Outreach and service projects, Relationships, Media & culture, Worship . . . and more! Reproducible included!

Made to Lead

Made to Lead PDF Author: Nicole Massie Martin
Publisher: Chalice Press
ISBN: 0827223684
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 108

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Book Description
Women were made to lead. Even in church. Jesus affirmed women as leaders-many contend Mary Magdalene was the first female minister. Yet women in ministry face challenges and obstacles, both from churches and from their own self-doubts. Both men and women miss out when women don't lead. Made to Lead empowers you to live out your calling boldly and confidently. Draw closer to God with relevant biblical examples and heart-felt prayers. Break down stereotypes of women in leadership. And create your own successful reality in which you are a key part of God's holy community.

The Artisan Soul

The Artisan Soul PDF Author: Erwin Raphael McManus
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0062270281
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 112

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Book Description
A national bestselling self-help guide to the creative process from the founder of MOSAIC, an LA-based spiritual community “well-known for its creativity” (Publishers Weekly). In The Artisan Soul, Erwin Raphael McManus, author, thought leader, and founder of MOSAIC in Los Angeles, pens a manifesto for human creativity and the beginning of a new renaissance. McManus not only calls us to reclaim our creative essence but reveals how we can craft our lives into a work of art. There are no shortcuts to quality, and McManus celebrates the spiritual process that can help us discover our true selves. McManus demonstrates that we all carry within us the essence of an artist. We all need to create, to be a part of a process that brings to the world something beautiful, good, and true, in order to allow our souls to come to life. It's not only the quality of the ingredients we use to build our lives that matter, but the care we bring to the process itself. Just like baking artisan bread, it's a process that's crafted over time. And God has something to say about how we craft our lives. With poignant, inspirational stories and insights from art, life, history, and scripture interspersed throughout, McManus walks readers through the process of crafting a life of beauty and wonder.