Do you wonder what God has designed you to do? Deborah Koehn Loyd helps you develop your personal vocational credo, using unique tools and practical guidance to help you discover how to live into your vocation. She walks you through the transformational journey of becoming the world-changer God has intended you to be.
...[C]oncern about the [inherited doctrine of vocation and its relevance for modern life] was generated out of the complexities and frustrations especially of industrial life, and it has produced a voluminous literature of a popular and semi-popular kind which has served to drive home the problem of daily work upon the conscience of contemporary Christians, and also to provide certain resources for handling it. In addition to this varied literature, the last years have also seen a very general discussion of the question at every level of church life: in ecumencal conferences, in the curricular material of the major denominations, and in conferences and study groups of all kinds. About the urgency and importance of the problem of vocation there is now no doubt. But now we find that the rather simple formulae in which we have been dealing with it do justice neither to the Biblical and Reformation inheritance, nor to the profound dilemmas that appear not only in industry, but in every area of professional and commercial life. The problem now is not only to equip our lay-people with fuller theological resources for the understanding of the meaning of discipleship, but to utilize their practical experience of day-to-day dilemmas and day to-day decisions. ...Gustaf Wingren's conscientious analysis of Luther's teaching on the matter...remains our prime resource for the understanding of the relation of faith and works. Nothing could exceed the patience and thoroughness with which Wingren has combed through the Luther corpus.... [I]t will serve to put the full range of Luther's insight at the disposal of those who care for theology as part of their care of all the Churches. Alexander Miller Stanford University
Vocation is more than a job. It is our relationships and responsibilities woven into the work of God. In following our calling to seek the welfare of our world, we find that it flourishes and so do we. Garber offers here a book for parents, artists, students, public servants and businesspeople—for all who want to discover the virtue of vocation.
What is the good work to which I am called? Gordon T. Smith acknowledges that this is not a simple question to answer in the midst of our very complicated lives. That's why he has written this brief and accessible book—to help us explore six core questions we need to ask in order to discover our calling, in community with God and others.
Organizations are being called upon to evolve to "Organizations of Meaning", where purpose informs all facets of the organization, people and teams operate with a strong sense of intent and common will, and breakthrough results are achieved. Organizations of Meaning are highly talented in their ability to bring purpose to daily work. Leaders and managers grow the culture such that people are clear about their own life direction and its fit with the organization. Relationships are mature and people operate with a casual mind-set, taking responsibility and accountability for the success of the organization. Results are achieved not through manipulative or coercive management techniques but as a natural, authentic expression of the commitment, clarity and conviction of the total organization. A new kind of leadership is required to create and lead an Organization of Meaning. Delivering on the promises of breakthrough change initiatives requires more than management techniques. The calling is for leadership that honors and appreciates the uniqueness of each individual in the organization, aligning distinctive spirits toward a collective thrust, while at the same time bringing commitment, tenacity and focus to key result areas. With effective transformational leadership bringing forth the new order, amazing results are possible. Not simply theory, but demonstrated in a growing number of organizations around the world. Transformational Leadership: Creating Organizations of Meaning was written specifically to guide leaders, managers and change agents through an organizational transformation delivering breakthrough results. Authors Stephen Hacker and Tammy Roberts draw on their immense experiences with organizational transformation to write a book that will help guide leaders through these important but trying times. Includes a life plan, a transformational leadership assessment survey, and summary lesson plans on each major model in the book.
Hillman first makes a case for internships, arguing that the purpose of the seminary or Bible college is to train both theologians and practitioners. He explores the meaning of "call," identifies the ingredients of a successful internship, discusses strategies for establishing goals for an internship, and offers guidance for reflecting on learning during an internship. Hillman also provides tools for identifying competencies and sample goals. --from publisher description.
If necessary, use words.When you think about evangelism, you probably think about what you need to say to an unbeliever. You imagine memorizing a five-point outline or a three-point plan. Christine Wood acknowledges that it is important to be able to express the truth of Christ. But in Character Witness she emphasizes that it is just as important to live a life that expresses who Christ is. St. Francis of Assisi put it this way: "Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words."Character Witness is about personal integrity in evangelism. It will help you develop qualities like graciousness, purity, wisdom and patience. And it will show you how to extend yourself to others in ways that express the fullness of the grace of Christ.Wood's message is simple, but revolutionary: Your character is your most valuable evangelism resource.
As a woman in the church, it's difficult to know what it means to say "I'm called to ministry." Whether you have been wrestling with that calling for years or are just starting to ask what it means, Now That I'm Called will provide you with guidance and direction on your journey. Perhaps you are feeling the Holy Spirit leading you toward vocational ministry but are unsure of what that means or if you are hearing the voice of the Lord correctly. This book will help you answer these questions and serve as a guide as you walk down this new and unfamiliar path. Author Kristen Padilla answers questions like: What does the Bible say about ministerial calling? Can I, as a woman, be called to gospel ministry? What is the difference between spiritual gifts and ministerial roles within the church? Is there value in obtaining a theological education? Should I go to a Bible college, seminary, or divinity school, and what is the difference between these three? What is the value in having a ministerial mentor and doing internships? What if I feel called to ministry but do not know what type of ministry? Each chapter ends with further questions, exercises, assignments, and stories of real women doing vocational ministry. This is a book that will prepare you for a lifetime of vocational service to God. You will walk away with a biblical understanding of ministerial calling and a robust view of women in gospel ministry, as well as practical tools to help you pursue God's call for your life. X
In Equipping Christians for Kingdom Purpose in Their Work, Tom Lutz and Heidi Unruh offer advice to those who seek to influence the faith of people outside the church. Pastors, Christian educators, life coaches, workplace mentors, college professors, and any Christian who considers their vocation to be one of discipleship will find nourishment in this book. Few resources are designed for personal disciplers—those who connect with other believers on a personal basis with a deep interest in their spiritual growth. This book fills the gap. This one-of-a-kind resource shows how to disciple others in and for their work. Most “faith and work” books focus on pastors and church programs, or they speak directly to workers. But this resource comes to the aid of those who offer spiritual guidance to working Christians. This guide makes faith-and-work discipleship accessible to anyone who influences the faith of another. With short, readable chapters filled with case studies, examples, and practical resources, readers will learn how to equip others to fulfill their kingdom purpose in their work. Sample topics include:Principles for Effectively Connecting with Adult LearnersStructure for One-on-One Discipleship MeetingsResearch on Vocational Discipleship and Kingdom-Centered Spiritual MaturityVarious Leadership ModelsScripture Passages on Being an Image-BearerSelected Scriptures for Faith and Work Principles
A close-knit community of Christian women writers share compelling and courageous personal journeys of transformation and growth toward finding their unique voices and invite other women to join them on the beautiful journey. From matters of politics to education, from social justice to health and wellness and beyond, this has been a year for the voices of women to ring out, and the Women of Redbud Writers Guild add their voices to the swell: voices of honesty, faith, deep spirituality, and generous wisdom. In their new book, Everbloom: Stories of Deeply Rooted and Transformed Lives, edited by Shayne Moore and Margaret Ann Philbrick, they speak out on behalf of those women who might not have found their own voices yet, sharing stories of their own personal transformations, discoveries, and overcomings. In forty stories, from global campaigns against social injustice and poverty, to the most intimate retellings of miscarriages and stillbirths, these Women of Redbud Writers Guild share a clarion call to all women: there is no pain that cannot be redeemed by the grace of God, no God-given voice that should be silenced, no one for whom the love of God through Jesus Christ will ever fall short.