Religious life in America is changing rapidly. What does this changing landscape mean for seminary? Keeping the Faith in Seminary is a compilation of essays that address issues of theological formation and vocation for people who love God, the world and the church. Seminary graduates, professors and family members reflect on their experiences with humor, fondness, criticism, and, ultimately, hope for what seminaries can and should be in our ever-changing world.
Seminary is dangerous. Really dangerous. The hard truth is that many seminarians enter pastoral ministry feeling drained, disillusioned, and dissatisfied. But the problem isn't with the faculty or the material. Rather, the most perilous danger to the soul of the pastor-in-training is the sin residing deep within his own heart. Drawing on their years of pastoral ministry and seminary experience, David Mathis and Jonathan Parnell take a refreshingly honest look at this oft-neglected—yet all too common—experience, offering real-world advice for students eager to survive seminary with their faith intact. In seven short but challenging chapters, the authors remind readers of the foundational role of the gospel in the life of ministry, equipping them with the keys to grow in their faith while making the most of their education.
"I can't imagine a college student—skeptic, doubter, Christian, struggler—who wouldn't benefit from this book." —Kevin DeYoung For many young adults, the college years are an exciting period of selfdiscovery full of new relationships, new independence, and new experiences. Yet college can also be a time of personal testing and intense questioning— especially for Christian students confronted with various challenges to Christianity and the Bible for the first time. Drawing on years of experience as a biblical scholar, Michael Kruger addresses common objections to the Christian faith—the exclusivity of Christianity, Christian intolerance, homosexuality, hell, the problem of evil, science, miracles, and the reliability of the Bible. If you're a student dealing with doubt or wrestling with objections to Christianity from fellow students and professors alike, this book will equip you to engage secular challenges with intellectual honesty, compassion, and confidence—and ultimately graduate college with your faith intact.
Sticky Faith delivers positive and practical ideas to nurture within your kids a living, loving faith that lasts a lifetime. Research indicates that almost half of high school seniors drift from their faith after graduation. Struck by this staggering statistic, and recognizing its ramifications, the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) conducted the "College Transition Project" in an effort to identify the relationships and best practices that can set young people on a trajectory of lifelong faith and service. This easy-to-read guide presents both a compelling rationale and a powerful strategy to show parents how to actively encourage their children’s spiritual growth so that it will stick with them into adulthood and empower them to develop a living, lasting faith. Written by Fuller Youth Institute Executive Director Dr. Kara E. Powell and youth expert Chap Clark--authors known for the integrity of their research and the intensity of their passion for young people--Sticky Faith is geared to spark a movement that empowers adults to develop robust and long-term faith in kids of all ages. Further engage your family and church with the Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family, Sticky Faith curriculum, and Sticky Faith youth worker edition. Sticky Faith is also available in Spanish, Cómo criar jóvenes de fe sólida.
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.
Those considering seminary, those in seminary, and those preparing to graduate from seminary need help. They need help discerning their call, moving into the bewildering world of theological study, and balancing the competing claims of school, work, and family. This book proposes to offer that help, and more, because the seminary eperience is evolving more rapidly than at any time in its history. This book is an ideal textbook for introductory seminary or spiritual formation courses that the majority of seminaries now require of first-year students. The three sections of this book provide information and guidance to those who are discerning a call to ministry and considering theological education; introduces new seminarians to thinking theologically, forming supportive relationships, integrating what they are learning in school with their spiritual lives, and practical guidance on such matters is serving a local congregation while one is in seminary; and offers advice on negotiating the ordination process in different denominational traditions and making the transition from study to full-time ministry.
When students turn 18 the world expects that they will be fully-fledged adults, yet without a solid faith foundation in a constantly changing society, they risk being pulled in a direction they shouldn’t go. When everything from cars to coffee is made to order, the youth worker’s challenge is to enable students to also “customize” their faith life in a way that they can become spiritually mature adults. The Long Haul tackles the questions students need to answer to prepare for the rest of their lives.
A Christian school, of all places, should be a setting where Christian students should not have their faith attacked. Yet year by year, students enter classrooms where the teachings of the Bible and its trustworthiness will be denied by professors who call themselves Christians. Many students have their guard down, not expecting such opposition in such a place. This book seeks to give simple and straightforward warning, counsel, and encouragement to such students to trust Christ and His Word and keep the faith in their studies at a Christian college, university, or seminary. Edition 1.1. ENDORSEMENTS OF KEEPING THE FAITH IN A CHRISTIAN COLLEGE: "Many of the 'baby boomer' generation did not attend college. With the increase in availability and opportunity, they have encouraged their children to go to college. Those parents from an Evangelical Christian background viewed a 'Christian' college as a bonus and sent many of their children there. Unfortunately, some of these college students quickly learned that what they knew as 'Christian' and what the school called 'Christian' were two different ideas. In this book, Doug Smith equips students and parents to enter college, especially 'Christian' colleges, with both eyes wide open. He writes from first-hand experience to guard future college students against the snares he encountered. I would highly recommend this resource to all parents and high school students who are considering a Christian college." - Josh Davis, Youth and Assistant Pastor, Antioch Baptist Church, Bristol, Virginia "You head excitedly to a 'Christian' college as a young ministerial student to learn more about the Bible in hopes of getting better trained to preach and teach God's Word. But the sacred Book you've grown up believing and loving often becomes the target of attack - question marks being placed in the Bible by professors where God's Spirit had already put a period. Such was my experience, and I found myself starting to 'doubt' and even 'disbelieve' what I had been RIGHTLY taught about the Bible growing up. Only by God's grace and the mentoring of godly pastors in my life was I guarded from 'erring from thy statutes' (Psalm 119:118). How needful is such a book and how helpful it will be in keeping students who are Christians 'grounded' and 'growing' in 'the faith once delivered unto the saints!'" - Scott Price, Senior Pastor, Fellowship Chapel, Bristol, Virginia "The season of college preparation is a busy one but the addition of reading Keeping the Faith in a Christian College is a wise addition to that busy season. In a concise and straightforward manner, Keeping the Faith in a Christian College will equip you to evaluate the colleges you are considering and to 'keep the faith' once you arrive on campus." - Beth Osborne Skinner, Attorney at Law, Bristol, Virginia "Having worked with Doug for the past three years, I have seen his love for the students and his passion for the authority of the Scriptures. He understands the Biblical worldview issues. Preparing students to enter the world ready to give a reason for the hope they have is a calling in his life. This guide will be an invaluable resource to help students and parents in selecting a college whose mission is first and foremost to glorify the Lord." - Dr. Clay Brinson, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Head of School, Cornerstone Christian Academy, Abingdon, Virginia
