Imagine . . . an interconnected group of people who entrust themselves to each other. You can speak of your pain, and someone responds with compassion and prayer. You can speak of your joys, and someone rejoices with you. You can ask for help with sinful struggles, and someone prays with you. The goal of this book is that these meaningful relationships will become a natural part of daily life in your church. With short chapters and discussion questions meant to be read in a group setting, Ed Welch guides small groups through eight lessons that show what it looks like when ordinary, needy people care for other ordinary, needy people in everyday life.
An experienced counselor and parish priest discusses how individuals can lear to love themselves and others, understand sexuality, cope with anger, and improve their friendships.
Who is in charge? What are elders responsible for? How can we build trust between the pastor and elders? How can we hold one another accountable? If these questions sound familiar, it's because every church struggles at times with knowing how to foster a healthy relationship between pastors and elders. The relationship between leaders in the congregation is an important factor in the well-being of the church. A twenty-one-year veteran of the pastoral office, author Timothy Mech defines the roles and responsibilities of each position, outlines where authority should lie, and provides recommendations of how to build trust and accountability within the congregation. This training manual includes discussion questions at the end of each chapter, along with helpful resources, such as sample meeting agendas, reports, templates for congregational letters, and much more. Together with the companion DVD, Pastors and Elders provides the Lutheran congregation with strategies for leaders to work effectively as a team for the sake of the Lord and His Church. Book jacket.
Everyone needs help from time to time, especially in the midst of painful circumstances and difficult trials. In this short book, a highly respected biblical counselor and successful author offers practical guidance for all Christians—pastors and laypeople alike—who want to develop their “helping skills” when it comes to walking alongside hurting people. Written out of the conviction that friends are the best helpers, this accessible introduction to biblical counseling will equip believers to share their burdens with one another through gentle words of wisdom and kind acts of love. This book is written for those eager to see God use ordinary relationships and conversations between ordinary Christians to work extraordinary miracles in the lives of his people.
Recounts the stories of those who have devoted their lives to helping others, including Clara Barton, Harriet Tubman, Dorothea Dix, Albert Schweitzer, and Mother Teresa.
In a crisis, it's easy to revert to old patterns. Caring for your well-being during the coronavirus pandemic includes maintaining healthy boundaries and saying no to unhealthy relationships. The healing touchstone of millions, this modern classic by one of America's best-loved and most inspirational authors holds the key to understanding codependency and to unlocking its stultifying hold on your life. Is someone else's problem your problem? If, like so many others, you've lost sight of your own life in the drama of tending to someone else's, you may be codependent--and you may find yourself in this book--Codependent No More. The healing touchstone of millions, this modern classic by one of America's best-loved and most inspirational authors holds the key to understanding codependency and to unlocking its stultifying hold on your life. With instructive life stories, personal reflections, exercises, and self-tests, Codependent No More is a simple, straightforward, readable map of the perplexing world of codependency--charting the path to freedom and a lifetime of healing, hope, and happiness. Melody Beattie is the author of Beyond Codependency, The Language of Letting Go, Stop Being Mean to Yourself, The Codependent No More Workbook and Playing It by Heart.
Includes Discussion Questions We hear a lot about what Jesus said. But what did he do? How did he live? During the days of his ministry, how did he care for his own body, heart, mind, and soul? In this compelling book, Mary Jane Gorman looks behind and between the words of Jesus to discover his humanity, painting a vivid portrait of the life he called us all to live. Chapter titles: Tending the Body includes sections on food, exercise, rest, healing touch Tending the Heart--anger, grief, compassion, passion, priorities, relationships Tending the Mind--exercise, rest, wit, reflection, openness Tending the Soul--nature, wilderness, forgiveness, prayer, obedience Tending Toward Wholeness: Interconnections “Gentle, practical, and wise, Mary Jane Gorman issues an invitation to look closely at Jesus’ humanity and in particular the way he cared for his entire being: body, heart, mind, and soul.” -Patricia D. Brown, Author of Spirit Gifts“If you're earnestly seeking guidance in development of a spirituality which touches every aspect of your life, you will want to let this skilled spiritual guide lead you to the Master himself.” -E. Glenn Hinson, Author of Companions in Christ: Feeding on the Word Mary Jane Gorman is a writer, teacher, and retreat leader living in Greenville, South Carolina. Formerly professor of economics at Furman University, she has served on the board of United Ministries, a nonprofit community organization, and is a leader in First Baptist Church, Greenville.
With so many broken and hurting people in our congregations and in our communities, how is a church pastor supposed to address so many needs? This second volume in Judson Press¿s new ¿Living Church¿ series explores the nature of pastoral care and invites laity and clergy alike to become partners in this essentially human ministry. Beginning with the traditional core of pastoral care as a critical function of the church pastor, author, professor, and veteran pastor Marvin McMickle expands that core into a second circle of care¿as the pastor equips and empowers church members to partner in caring for one another. Finally, McMickle throws open the doors of the church and challenges pastor, lay leaders, and church members alike to extend their ministries of pastoral care to the local community, through ministries of advocacy, justice, healthcare, education, and service. A richly reflective and utterly practical resource, this volume deepens the church¿s understanding of pastoral care¿and expands that compassionate and priestly ministry in the church and in the world.
"Should be obligatory reading. . . . A philosophy of life in a nutshell, one that has latched on to the most practical, central, and sensible of all activities, human or cosmic."--Psychology Today
Looks at the power of conversation for changing everything from personal relationships to organisational dysfunction, and then suggests conversation starters for meaningful discussions.
