Resurrecting Excellence

Resurrecting Excellence PDF Author: L. Gregory Jones
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 9780802832344
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 206

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Book Description
Resurrecting Excellence aims to rekindle and encourage among Christian leaders an unselfish ambition for the gospel that shuns both competition and mediocrity and rightly focuses on the beauty, power, and excellence of living as faithful disciples of the crucified and risen Christ. Drawing on ancient traditions and on contemporary voices, L. Gregory Jones offer both a theology of excellence and portraits of pastors, lay leaders, and congregations that embody "a more excellent way."--Publisher's description.

Resurrecting Excellence

Resurrecting Excellence PDF Author: L. Gregory Jones
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 9780802832344
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 206

Get Book Here

Book Description
Resurrecting Excellence aims to rekindle and encourage among Christian leaders an unselfish ambition for the gospel that shuns both competition and mediocrity and rightly focuses on the beauty, power, and excellence of living as faithful disciples of the crucified and risen Christ. Drawing on ancient traditions and on contemporary voices, L. Gregory Jones offer both a theology of excellence and portraits of pastors, lay leaders, and congregations that embody "a more excellent way."--Publisher's description.

Ambition

Ambition PDF Author: Emma Ineson
Publisher: SPCK
ISBN: 0281080135
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 169

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Book Description
'Be encouraged by Bishop Emma's advice and inspired by her wisdom and humour.' JUSTIN WELBY, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY Counting things is very much on the table at the moment. But what is the theology around notions of ambition and success? Why do they sit so uncomfortably in a Christian context? After all, growth is not the preserve of big business when viewed through the lens of the story of God and his people. So, we need to ask, what is right about ambition for the Christian leader? And what were Jesus' views? Inevitably (because everything interesting is paradoxical), success and failure are close bedfellows. The single most successful event in the history of humankind - the victory of love over sin and death - looked very much like one man, naked, shamed and abandoned by most of his followers, hanging on a cross. If we keep a vision of the Kingdom of God at the centre of all we do, we cannot go far wrong. This lively and liberating book includes a brilliant take on Jesus' teaching in 'The Beatitudes for Ambitious Leaders'. Here Emma Ineson describes key spiritual dispositions that will enable us - whether in the church or living out our vocation elsewhere - to do just that.

That Their Work Will Be a Joy

That Their Work Will Be a Joy PDF Author: Cameron Lee
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 162189441X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 259

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Book Description
For those who are called to it, pastoral ministry can be a source of deep joy. But there are also challenges. An increasing number of pastors seem to be burning out under the load. Congregations may not be aware of the many and conflicting demands placed on a pastor's time and energies, nor the pastor's need for rest and personal support. That Their Work Will Be a Joy was written to encourage mutual understanding between pastors and congregations about the stresses of ministry. The authors present five principles that will help ministry remain more of a joy than a burden. Every chapter contains practical recommendations targeted specifically for pastors, congregational leaders, and even seminarians preparing for ministry. A dozen personal responses to the book, written as letters from people in ministry, have been collected together at the end. The book is helpful as a ministry preparation text, a guide for those serving as pastors, or as a discussion starter for pastors support groups. It will help church committees smooth a pastoral transition, or calm seminary graduates anticipating their first placement. The hope is that stressed-out pastors will recover their sense of vocation, and congregations will begin to fulfill their calling as the body of Christ.

The Beauty of Preaching

The Beauty of Preaching PDF Author: Michael Pasquarello
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 1467460095
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
What does beauty have to do with healing the fragmentation within our churches? According to Michael Pasquarello, everything. Amid the cacophony of ugly political invective that dominates nearly every space today—including church—only God has the power to unify and heal through his truth and goodness, revealed in his beauty. And every Sunday, those in the pulpit have the opportunity and responsibility to share this beauty with their parishioners. Tapping into a long tradition that can be traced back to Augustine, Michael Pasquarello explores a theological definition of beauty that has tremendous revelatory power in a post-Christendom world. A church manifesting this beauty is not merely a gathering of people, but a place where God’s new creation appears in the midst of the old creation, ushered in by a pastor willing to make God the primary actor within the doxological craft of preaching.

Care for the Church and Its Liturgy

Care for the Church and Its Liturgy PDF Author: William H. Johnston
Publisher: Liturgical Press
ISBN: 0814662943
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 344

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Book Description
In July 2007, Pope Benedict XVI issued Summorum Pontificum, designating two "uses" or "forms" of the Roman Rite, declaring the Missal of Paul VI to be the "ordinary form" and the 1962 Missal of John XXIII to be its "extraordinary form." On the same day, the pope also published a letter to bishops, Con Grande Fiducia, to accompany and offer commentary on this motu proprio. In Care for the Church and Its Liturgy, William H. Johnston offers analysis and commentary on both documents, exploring their meaning, context, purposes, implementation, and implications. Johnston carefully attends to the multiple purposes of the documents themselves and to the various questions related to their implementation, as well as to the complex postconciliar dynamics in the Catholic Church. His approach throughout is appreciative, critical, and constructive. Johnston’s study embodies respect for dialogue, unity, and charity. It will provide much food for thought and discussion among both academics and pastoral leaders in the years ahead as the church discerns its liturgical way forward, and all those with educational or pastoral responsibility for the liturgy will find it an informative resource and valuable guide for understanding and assessing this still constitutive feature of the Roman Rite.

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations PDF Author: Robert Schnase
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 1426713533
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 166

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Book Description
People are searching for a church shaped and sustained by Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Risk-Taking Mission and Service, and Extravagant Generosity. These fundamental practices are critical to the success of congregations. Their presence and strength demonstrate congregational health, vitality, and fruitfulness. By repeating and improving these practices, churches fulfill their mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Robert Schnase astutely weaves theological insight, practical advice, and exemplary stories into an inspiring book for pastors and laity alike. —L. Gregory Jones, Dean and Professor of Theology, Duke Divinity School Robert Schnase’s words are thoughtful, provocative, and challenging. Any congregation will find encouragement and insight to deepen faithfulness and multiply fruitfulness. —Lovett H. Weems, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Church Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary Stimulating. Challenging. Uniquely helpful. Bishop Schnase gives us powerful language, rich examples, and practical suggestions for fulfilling the mission God gives us. —Janice Riggle Huie, Bishop of the Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church

7 Lessons for New Pastors, Second Edition

7 Lessons for New Pastors, Second Edition PDF Author: Matthew D. Kim
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1725268574
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 162

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Book Description
In 7 Lessons for New Pastors, leading author Matthew D. Kim gives seminarians and new pastors a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a pastor. Drawing on his own experience as a senior pastor and the wisdom of seasoned pastors, Kim seeks to prepare future ministers mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally, and spiritually for the first year so that it can be a solid foundation for a lifetime of effective ministry. Both new and experienced pastors will profit from reading this book. This second edition is revised and expanded, including questions for personal or group reflection and two bonus mini-lessons.

Practicing the Kingdom

Practicing the Kingdom PDF Author: Justin Bronson Barringer
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1498218024
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 218

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Book Description
Throughout her academic career, Christine D. Pohl has helped the church rediscover practices that used to be central to its life, like hospitality, community, and friendship. Perhaps best known for her groundbreaking Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition, she has also contributed significantly to discussions on Christian community, feminism and the academy, and the practice of friendship. Yet behind this lies a lifetime of "lived theology" that informs her life and her work, both inside and outside the academy. Containing biblical, systematic, and moral theology, these essays are scriptural and liturgical, multidisciplinary and missional. Several of them could be described as offering essays of "lived theology," writing and reflecting from within years of action and contemplation. They build upon particularly fruitful aspects of Pohl's work, through expansion, clarification, and occasional disagreement. A mix of scholars and practitioners, colleagues, former students, and friends, the contributors represent a wide variety of theoretical and practical expertise. This volume honors Pohl most when its readers choose to take the wisdom within its pages and embody that in life together.

Failure

Failure PDF Author: Emma Ineson
Publisher: SPCK
ISBN: 0281087857
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 162

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Book Description
'A superb book on failure . . . humorous, realistic and absolutely not judgemental.' JUSTIN WELBY In 2019, Emma Ineson wrote about ambition and what it means for Christians to be successful. And then there was a global pandemic . . . Suddenly failure began to feel very much more familiar than success. But what is failure? What did Jesus think of it? What did he say about sin, mistakes and generally mucking things up? At the start of this wonderfully humorous and encouraging book - which will end at the cross - it's suggested that our tendency to lump all kinds of failure together could be a bit unhelpful. A more nuanced understanding of what sort of failure we're dealing with might just allow us to make friends with it and respond more appropriately. This idea leads us 'Towards an (Imperfect) Theology of Failure', based on key Christian thinking, and Emma poses the question of whether sin is an individual or corporate thing. Looking at the church, we consider, what is God's purpose for it? And in the light of key concerns such as safeguarding and racial justice, how might we re-examine concepts of success and recognize and measure failure? As the book draws to an end, we are reminded of our calling to live life to the full, to take risks despite our fears. We are bound sometimes to fail! Yet gazing at Jesus - who looked like the greatest failure of all - we may discern in the heartache, vulnerability and humility of failure, the glory of the cross.

From Midterms to Ministry

From Midterms to Ministry PDF Author: Allan Hugh Cole
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 0802840027
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 349

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Book Description
The distinguished contributors to this volume -- ministers, scholars, and theological educators -- share personal reflections on the sometimes-difficult transition from being a seminarian to becoming a minister. Based on their own life experiences, they address the two related but different "worlds" of theological school and ministry settings, each with its own set of expectations, values, challenges, focal points, and rewards.Contributors: Wallace M. Alston Jr. Ray S. Anderson M. Craig Barnes Elizabeth F. Caldwell Allan Hugh Cole Jr. Pamela D. Couture Kathy Dawson Carrie Doehring Michael Jinkins L. Gregory Jones Susan Pendleton Jones James F. Kay Cleophus J. LaRue Thomas G. Long Loren B. Mead Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore Earl F. Palmer Stephanie Paulsell Anthony B. Robinson Carol L. Schnabl Schweitzer Theodore J. Wardlaw Traci C. West William H. Willimon J. Philip Wogaman Karen Marie Yust