Catholic ecclesiology stands at the threshold of a new moment in the reception of the Second Vatican Council. The election of Pope Francis—coinciding with the fiftieth anniversary of the council—has inspired a fresh consideration of its teaching in such diverse areas as ecumenism, inculturation, missiology, and ministry. The chapters in this volume have their origin in a special symposium that called together over forty of the leading Catholic scholars from throughout North America in order to discuss the future of theological reflection on the church. The nine essays in this volume guided that conversation and offer an entry into some of the most pressing issues in ecclesiology today.
A lift-the-flap board book all about church from the creator of Open the Preschool Door, Open the Barn Door, and Open the Garage Door! Little ones will love lifting 11 fun flaps to find a smiling Sunday school teacher, their friends and family, arts and crafts, and much, much more in this bright and engaging board book. With a simple story and colorful and inviting illustrations, this is the perfect way to introduce children to what a day at church can be like.
Few treatments of the death of Jesus Christ have made a point of accounting for the gruesome, degrading, public manner of his death by crucifixion, a mode of execution so loathsome that the ancient Romans never spoke of it in polite society. Rutledge probes all the various themes and motifs used by the New Testament evangelists and apostolic writers to explain the meaning of the cross of Christ. She shows how each of the biblical themes contributes to the whole, with the Christus Victor motif and the concept of substitution sharing pride of place along with Irenaeus's recapitulation model.
Author and church-growth expert Charles Arn reveals how vital congregations are good at empowering their people to pursue their unique strengths. It is by discovering the passions of its individual insiders that a church can creatively and effectively draw the outsiders into its fellowship and into Jesus. This book is crucial not only for a church's leadership, but for all motivated members who have a vision for engaging more of their local body in relevant ministry. See how God has been drawing believers out of the pews, through their church's walls, and directly into their communities by way of their side doors. God is using his people to make disciples, and they are actually loving it! FREE downloads available, including Planning Guide, Assessment Charts, Congregational Survey, discussion guide, and more!
Pastors' wives are in a privileged—yet often difficult—position. Various challenges make it is easy for ministry wives to feel discouraged about their relationship with God, lose their wonder at the mystery of the church, and forget the joy of serving alongside their husband. In this encouraging and humorous book, Gloria Furman offers pastors' wives a breath of fresh air, reminding readers that Christ stands ready to help regardless of the circumstance—whether it's late-night counseling sessions, unrealistic expectations about how they spend their time, or complaints about their husbands' preaching. Filled with life-giving truth from God's Word regarding the privilege of ministry in Christ's name, this book will help women joyfully treasure their Savior, serve their husbands, and love their churches.
In his letter to his protégé, Timothy, Paul says, "I have fought the good fight." In Arabic, those last three words are translated jihad. In Secret Believers, readers are introduced to Brother Andrew's protégé in the Muslim world, Butros. In this riveting true story of the Middle Eastern Church struggling to come to grips with hostile governments, terrorist acts, and an influx of Muslims coming to Christ, readers will meet a group of men and women they never knew existed. The names and places have been changed to protect the real people in the real places. But the stories are true. In his most incredible and eye-opening book to date, Brother Andrew invites you to meet: • Ahmed, a young Muslim terrified by nightmares until he is introduced to Isa (Jesus) • Mustafa, a former leader in a fundamentalist Muslim movement that persecuted Christians • Salima, a privileged young Muslim woman who is held captive by her family when they find a Bible in her possession • Abuna, a priest faced with an aging congregation and constant threats to his beloved church • and many more. Secret Believers not only gives readers a glimpse of the lives of these courageous believers, it also proposes four practical initiatives for Christians in the West to help these persecuted brothers and sisters. It calls us to join this new kind of jihad, leaving vengeance behind in favor of forgiveness, radical love, and unyielding prayer.
Have Your Doors Been Left Open? Do you continue to struggle to overcome sinful habits? This book will give you the key to living a free and overcoming life. Open Doors have been around a long time. In the garden, Adam and Eve chose to listen to the enemy and disobey God. Their sin opened a door to the enemy. This book will share with you the principles of how to close those Open Doors and keep them closed! You will discover how to remove roots and strongholds, the importance of guarding your heart, renewing your mind, how to overcome sin with scripture, being an overcomer, and living free. As we walk out our faith, what do we need to watch out for? How do we keep the enemy from hindering our walk with the Lord? Learn how to hear the voice of the Lord, persevere in your faith, and run your race to make a difference for the kingdom of God! "Open Doors is a powerful tool for shutting down the enemy's plan to keep you in bondage. Discover the keys that not only close open doors, but lock them shut, bringing true freedom. Powerful, amazing, and life changing." -Lauren Sloan, leader, Moms of Encouragement "You can love the Lord and do your best, yet be forever frustrated because the enemy keeps getting in. Caryn's book, Open Doors, shows us how to shut every door to the enemy and will have a huge impact on your life!" -Doug Mosemann, MS, Strategic Account Manager to Fortune 500 Companies "There are often strongholds in our lives, things we do not know about, things that hold us back from living a solid and true life in Christ. Open Doors will help set you free and stay free from what cycles you back into sin, depression, and weakness." -Sandra Querin, JD, MBA, ThD., pastor of The Revival Center and author of The Prayer of Job, The Prayer of Moses, and The Dynamics of Spiritual Warfare
A long-time pastor ponders why the Jesus Movement stopped moving...and challenges all generations of believers to the radical commitment that fuels revival. Long before becoming a pastor, Ed Underwood was a "Jesus Freak"--a young man transformed by the Jesus Movement in the 60s and 70s. He and his friends threw their hearts into a revival they thought would change the world. But somehow, the Jesus movement stopped moving. How did these radically committed young people morph into today's tame, suburban evangelicals? That's the question that sparked this passionate, provocative book, which aims at nothing less than fanning the flames of enduring revival today. Underwood draws on his personal revival experience and his study of the New Testament to expose six seductive lies that can easily sidetrack a movement and affirms five life-changing truths that can keep it going.
Jesus said He would build His church; our job is to follow. The Church of the Open Door calls us to a dynamic, Spirit-filled life as the body of Christ. Warren Wiersbe’s study of Acts, the Epistles and Revelation paints a picture of what the church should do and be.
