What does God want you to know, be, and do as an individual family, church and nation? This question occupies the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Indeed, you could divide all the verses in the Bible into four groups. These are verses that address Individual Families Churches Nations.
The Practical Encyclopedia of Christian Counseling is designed to afford Christian counselors quick reference as well as comprehensive access to the chief principles and practices of biblical counseling. It is called an "encyclopedia" because a counselor interested in surveying the gamut of those principles and practices will find in this volume a wider variety of subjects than may be located in any other book of biblical counseling. - Preface.
This collection of practical ideas turns outreach from an intimidating mandate into something that's actually enjoyable. How? By offering more than 200 ways to connect with people--ways that real people living in real churches will find engaging, effective, and doable. # Readers will find. . . ideas for making a church visible in a community, # ideas for preparing your church to embrace outreach, # movie night recommendations and outlines, # evangelism ideas to reach kids, work friends, and personal friends, # quick service ideas for kids, youth, and mixed groups, # long-term service ideas, # mission ideas, # complete, seeker-sensitive Bible studies, and # some ideas so unique they don't fit in a category! In short, this is literally an encyclopedia of outreach strategies, options, and ideas. It's designed so any church (or church group) can find a way to reach out to others. . . and have fun doing it. ways to connect with people--ways that real people living in real churches will find engaging, effective, and doable. # Readers will find. . . ideas for making a church visible in a community, # ideas for preparing your church to embrace outreach, # movie night recommendations and outlines, # evangelism ideas to reach kids, work friends, and personal friends, # quick service ideas for kids, youth, and mixed groups, # long-term service ideas, # mission ideas, # complete, seeker-sensitive Bible studies, and # some ideas so unique they don't fit in a category! In short, this is literally an encyclopedia of outreach strategies, options, and ideas. It's designed so any church (or church group) can find a way to reach out to others. . . and have fun doing it.
With a combination of essay-length and short entries written by a team of leading religious experts, the two-volume Encyclopedia of Eastern Orthodoxy offers the most comprehensive guide to the cultural and intellectual world of Eastern Orthodox Christianity available in English today. An outstanding reference work providing the first English language multi-volume account of the key historical, liturgical, doctrinal features of Eastern Orthodoxy, including the Non-Chalcedonian churches Explores of the major traditions of Eastern Orthodoxy in detail, including the Armenian, Byzantine, Coptic, Ethiopic, Slavic, Romanian, Syriac churches Uniquely comprehensive, it is edited by one of the leading scholars in the field and provides authoritative but accessible articles by a range of top international academics and Orthodox figures Spans the period from Late Antiquity to the present, encompassing subjects including history, theology, liturgy, monasticism, sacramentology, canon law, philosophy, folk culture, architecture, archaeology, martyrology, hagiography, all alongside a large and generously detailed prosopography Structured alphabetically and topically cross-indexed, with entries ranging from 100 to 6,000 words
"What has Jesus Christ to do with English literature?" ask David Lyle Jeffrey and Gregory Maillet in this insightful survey. First and foremost, they reply, many of the world's best authors of literature in English were formed--for better or worse--by the Christian tradition. Then too, many of the most recognized aesthetic literary forms derive from biblical exemplars. And finally, many great works of literature demand of readers evaluative judgments of the good, the true and the beautiful that can only rightly be understood within a Christian worldview. In this book Jeffrey and Maillet offer a feast of theoretical and practical discernment. After an examination of literature and truth, theological aesthetics, and the literary character of the Bible, they turn to a brief survey of literature from medieval times to the present, highlighting distinctively Christian themes and judgments. In a concluding chapter they suggest a path for budding literary critics through the current state of literary studies. Here is a must-read for all who are interested in a Christian perspective on literary studies.
This multifaceted and up-to-date encyclopedia is sure to be of interest to pastors and church workers of all confessions, equally so to students, scholars, and researchers around the world who are interested in any aspect of Christianity or religion in general. The first volume contains 465 articles that address a comprehensive list of topics.
The perfect combination of scholarship and accessible presentation for Christians who desire to know how to better understand and defend their faith. Bestselling authors Ed Hindson and Ergun Caner have brought together a who's who of apologetic experts—including Lee Strobel, Norm Geisler, Josh McDowell, and John Ankerberg—to produce a resource that's both easy to understand and comprehensive in scope. Every entry provides a biblical perspective and mentions the key essentials that believers need to know about a wide variety of apologetic concerns, including... issues concerning God, Christ, and the Bible scientific and historical controversies ethical matters (genetic engineering, homosexuality, ecology, feminism) a Christian response to world religions and cults a Christian response to the major worldviews and philosophies of our day Included with each entry are practical applications for approaching or defending the issue at hand, along with recommendations for additional reading on the subject.
In a world that is more culturally diverse than ever, pastors and lay leaders need skills and competencies to serve in multicultural contexts. This rich blend of astute analysis and practical guidance offers a praxis of paying attention, study, and discernment that leads to genuine reconciliation and shared life empowered by the gospel.
More than 600 ideas! Jumpstart your sermons, master your preaching, energize church worship, and find time to get away with the family, . . . okay, maybe not all in one breath. But, you'll discover inspiration and perspective in this collection of top techniques and activities to help you encourage community, refuel your ministry--and minister to yourself as well. Book includes time-saving, reproducible masters for baby dedications, funerals, weddings, visitor response, certificate of appreciation, sermon logs and more! # Organization includes eight sections: Sermon Sparks: Sermon jump-starts, illustrations, stories, movie clip ideas, and interactive object lessons # Preaching Techniques: Ways to use media and technology, organize old sermons and illustrations, and creatively prepare new sermons # Revitalize Church Worship: Ideas for informal worship, introducing new songs to your congregation, interactive prayer, creative sermon closings, and revitalizing your worship space # Worship Service Jump-Starts: Twenty ready-made services that focus on acts of service, honoring those in your congregation, and times of reflection and inspiration # Recharge Your Personal and Family Life: Self-directed retreats, creative ways to spend time with your spouse, getaways with your family, and quick spiritual boosters # Congregational Care: Tips for hospital visits, weddings, funerals, baby dedications, encouraging church members, and welcoming new people into fellowship # Develop Your Leaders and Volunteers: Lead effective meetings, try some adaptable meeting agendas, and strengthen your volunteers and staff # Community Service and Outreach: Motivate church members to join a local service project, take part in outreach, and support world missions and missionaries Bonus: Cross-reference notes link relating ideas!
Why are some people not healed? What's the relationship between sin and sickness? Is it possible to heal memories? Active in healing ministry for many years, Mark Pearson offers thorough and balanced biblical teaching concerning physical, emotional, and spiritual healing in Christ. A priest in the Charismatic Episcopal Church, Pearson brings together the basic truths about healing from three streams of Christianity: sacramental, evangelical, and charismatic/Pentecostal. Christian Healing will help you understand: * Why the ministry of healing is downplayed or rejected by some in the church today* The devil's role in illness* The four ways God works healing* The deception and dangers of New Age* How to introduce a healing ministry in your church Written in a plain, user-friendly, and understandable manner, this book will enable you to fully grasp God as the Healer. Are you ready for this revelation? "Whatever your religious background, you will find Christian Healing an excellent introduction to the healing ministry if you are just getting started, or an important addition to your library even if you have been praying for the sick for many years."-Francis MacNutt, Director, Christian Healing Ministries, Jacksonville, Florida About the author: Mark Pearson, an Oxford graduate and clergyman for more than thirty years, Mark Pearson id the cofounder of New Creation Healing Center in Plaistow, New Hampshire, which combines medicine, biblical counseling, and prayer to minister to body, soul, and spirit. A leader of teaching and healing conferences around the world, Pearson is the president and cofounder of the Institute for Christian Renewal, which seeks to help bring a balanced spiritual renewal to churches and individuals.