In this fascinating and ground-breaking study, Vinoth Ramachandra explores the complex nature of conflict among the major world religions of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity, and also between them and the rising tide of secularism.
Churches thrive on communication; they are stifled by conflict. Renowned Christian educator Kenneth O. Gangel joins his colleague Samuel L. Canine to bring good news to the church - communication skills can be learned and conflict can be managed. The church need no longer hide conflict nor excuse itself for poor communication, but can instead acknowledge where it has problems and seek transformation. The authors offer scriptural strategies for overcoming conflict and for building trust in relationships - even relationships among deacons or between deacons and pastors. Drawing from recent studies in the social sciences, Gangel and Canine show the church how to manage strife and foster dialogue so that the church can flourish. Chapter titles include Learning To Listen, Power in Conflict Management, Negotiation and Bargaining in Conflict Management, Organizational Causes of Conflict, Coalitions in Conflict Management, Managing Conflict Destructively or Constructively, Stress: Cause And Cure, and The Workaholic Syndrome. This book is a valuable resource for training church leaders. It is also an important resource for those who are already pastors, for whom the issues are daily realities and not just academic theory. Through its use in churches and seminaries, the book is designed to lead God's church through its conflicts to renewed vigor in ministry and growth.
Shepherding a Child’s Heart is about how to speak to the heart of your child. The things your child does and says flow from the heart. Luke 6:45 puts it this way: “…out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Written for parents with children of any age, this insightful book provides perspectives and procedures for shepherding your child’s heart into the paths of life. In this revised edition of Shepherding a Child’s Heart, Dr. Tedd Tripp not only draws on his thirty years experience as a pastor, counselor, school administrator, and father, but he also shares insights gained in many years of teaching this material in conferences worldwide, providing more valuable help for parents.
Are you considering foster care or adoption? If so, are you fully prepared to succeed? We weren't! In This Means War experienced foster, adoptive and even grandparents share insight, advice and stories of success-but also of failure. Many began this journey unprepared. We were quickly overwhelmed and wondered why our parenting methods failed. Why didn't our love heal these kids? Why were our previously healthy families now falling apart? We lacked vital information about invisible disabilities. We didn't understand how profoundly neglect damages a child. We didn't know we'd signed up to be missionaries to miniature heathens, nor that a fierce spiritual enemy opposed us. Perhaps we even assumed the natural state of man (apart from a negative environment or defective genes) was an ideal person. In the Garden of Eden, maybe. Join the author and friends for a biblical discussion of foster care and adoption-this side of the Garden.
As a husband, father of four, and family counselor, Wayne A. Mack knows what makes families tick. Here he offers biblical insight and practical wisdom into two crucial areas of family life: communication and conflict resolution. Alerting us to the pitfalls of faulty communication, such as "undertalk," "overtalk," poor listening, forms of falsehood, and "circuit jammers" to communication, Mack examines why families fight and explains the key to turning family discord into harmony. Firsthand success stories and highly practical application questions give hope and clear direction to all who wish to build stronger families God's way. - Back cover.
In a world fraught with ever-complex dynamics, "The Christian Family: Building Strong Relationships in a Broken World" offers a beacon of hope, guiding families to foster relationships grounded in the teachings and principles of Christian faith. Drawing from a rich well of biblical wisdom, this book addresses the multilayered aspects of family life, bringing to light the time-tested virtues of love, understanding, and unity. Embarking on a journey through thirty enriching chapters, readers will navigate the landscapes of marriage, parenting, and extended family relationships, each seen through the lens of Christian teachings. Delve into the sanctity of marriage, the joys and trials of parenting, and the nurturing bonds that can be fostered between generations. From laying the foundational stones of a Christian home to nurturing faith during teenage years and embracing the joyous milestones with grace and gratitude, this book serves as an indispensable guide for families. It paints a canvas of Christian living, adorned with practical advice, scriptural references, and a vision that uplifts family relationships to their God-intended potential. Each chapter is crafted to stand as a rich resource, offering insights and guidance for various stages of family life. Whether it is cultivating virtue in the home, understanding the dynamics of blended families, or leaving a lasting legacy of faith for generations to come, readers will find a wellspring of wisdom in these pages. "The Christian Family: Building Strong Relationships in a Broken World" is more than just a book; it is a companion in the beautiful yet sometimes challenging journey of Christian family life. It is a testimony to the enduring strength of faith, offering families the tools to build homes filled with love, grace, and God's presence. Ideal for individuals, couples, and families at various stages of their spiritual journey, this book also serves as a vital resource for church groups, Bible study circles, and Christian counselors seeking to enrich their understanding of Christian family dynamics. Step into a world of spiritual growth and harmony, where every family member, from the youngest to the oldest, can flourish in an environment nurtured by love and guided by faith. In the pages of this transformative book, discover the blueprint for a Christian family that stands resilient, united, and grounded in the word of God.
Being a Christian is not an individualistic or isolated activity. Believing also involves belonging. Being a Christian, by definition, involves belonging to the church. This is not a book full of ideas about how your church ought to change or what it needs to do in order to grow or to be successful. Rather it is about how we fit into our own church. There are hallmarks of church life that should be stamped on all our churches because they are applicable everywhere and anywhere -- New Testament values for any size of church, in any part of the world, at any time. Devoted to God's Church will serve to help new Christians understand what it is to be part of a church, and will also be a refreshing reminder to every Christian of what it should look like to belong to the family of God.
For not integrating initially some of the good elements in Igbo culture, many Igbo Christians have double personality - Christian personality and traditional personality. They are Christians on Sundays but traditionalists on weekdays. To combat such an anomalous situation, in imitation of Christ's effort at completing what was lacking in the Jewish religion, author Edwin Udoye proposes radical inculturation. His book equally contains many serious theological reflections such that it recommends itself to both theologians and the scholars researching on the religions of the world. Udoye has therefore made a very significant contribution worthy of commendation to both theological and religious studies.