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A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament: 2nd Edition
by Walter Brueggemann Bruce C. Birch Terence E. Fretheim David L. PetersenThis book has become a standard text in seminary and university classrooms. The purpose of this second edition is to help readers come to a critically informed understanding of the Old Testament as the church's scripture. This book introduces the Old Testament both as a witness of ancient Israel and as a witness to the church and synagogue through the generations of those who have passed these texts on as scripture.The authors of this volume share a commitment to the interpretation of the Old Testament as a central resource for the life of the church today. At the same time, they introduce the Old Testament witness in a manner that honors the importance of biblical scholarship in helping students engage the variety of theological voices within the Old Testament.This second edition gives special attention to deepening and broadening theological interpretations by including, for example, issues related to gender, race, and class. It also includes more detailed maps and charts for student use.
Just Say Yes!: Unleashing People for Ministry (Just Say Yes! Ser.)
by Robert SchnaseChurches say No in a thousand ways to new ideas, ministry initiatives, and creative people. Churches struggle with committees that are no longer conducive to their mission while pastors and laity have become conditioned to view anythingnew with suspicion and resistance. Churches operate with a pervasive culture of No.Just Say Yes! Unleashing People for Ministry is written for people whose passion has been simmering for years, who yearn to be told Yes! It’s for those whose energy and ideas have been tamped down by systems and attitudes that restrain ministry and who have felt frustrated by attempts to start programs, reach new people, or experiment with alternative worship services, only to be told No.Robert Schnase examines the systems and attitudes that restrain and control ministry. He demonstrates practical ways church leaders can rethink fundamental assumptions about organizations and leadership. Real-church examples show how every church can unleash its people for ministry—encouraging, emboldening, and equipping them. "Significant turnaround could happen in churches everywhere if each congregation worked through this book, chapter by chapter." —Sue Nilson Kibbey, Director of the Missional Church Consultation Initiative, West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church "Just Say Yes! is a valuable resource for laity and leaders who want to make a real difference in their mission field. I’m making it required reading in every church I coach and work with." —Ken Willard, Certified Consultant and Coach, Leadership 4 Transformation; author, Time Management for the Christian Leader from Abingdon Press"The energy of the Holy Spirit jumps off every page and right into your heart and mind in a way that could make all things new." —Patricia Farris, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Santa Monica, CA"If we take this book seriously we will see people unleashed for ministry in the world. In the process we may just rediscover why our churches exist in the first place." —Clay Oliphint, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Richardson, TX"Schnase examines how churches say No, then provides an inspiring and practical look at how they can say Yes. We need this book!" —Steve Harper, Professor of Spiritual Formation (retired); author, Five Marks of a Methodist from Abingdon Press
Lord, Teach Us: The Lord's Prayer & the Christian Life
by William H. Willimon Stanley HauerwasAfter a short introduction, the authors work through each phrase of the Lord's Prayer, using it as a framework for the Christian life. Providing basic faith understanding, this book will help the user experience Christianity as attractive and inviting, not distant, difficult, or foreboding. (separate leader's guide 9780687089284)
Christmas Gifts That Won't Break Leader Guide: Expanded Edition With Devotions (Christmas Gifts that Won't Break)
by Rev James W. MooreGo on an Advent journey with beloved teacher and storyteller James W. Moore, exploring the spirit of Christmas. As you light the candles of your Advent wreath, reflect on the unbreakable gifts that God has given us: hope, love, joy, and peace. And remember God’s greatest gift, who comes to us as a baby and leads us through all the days of our lives. The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the five-week study including session plans and discussion questions, prayers, and suggestions for group use.
Preaching as Poetry: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth in Every Sermon (The Artistry of Preaching Series)
by Paul Scott WilsonIt is tempting for preachers in this digital age of plurality and diversity to offer quick sound bites and PowerPoint-style presentations. These tend to invite a yes or no response, as in mathematical equations. But if we are to reach Christians across the theological spectrumandinvite non-Christians to seriously consider our faith, we must take a different approach. What is needed is greater attention to poetry and images meant to communicate the beauty of the faith and the wonder and mystery of God in everyday life. We must communicate the unity of our message of faith, the divine as truth, and justice and healing as expressions of God. Preaching as poetry (theopoetic preaching) allows for the bold imagery of scripture and the gentle invitation of art. Sermons can no longer always be neatly tied up, perfectly linear, with complete answers to every question. In Preaching as Poetry Paul Scott Wilson teaches why this new approach is necessary today, and demonstrates with multiple examples how it works in real sermons. He skillfully guides the reader to incorporate the classical values of beauty, goodness and truth in every sermon, and in ways that connect with congregants and listeners today.
Ripe Life: Sermons on the Fruit of the Spirit (Protestant Pulpit Exchange)
by C. Thomas HiltonThese sermons on "the fruit of the Spirit" are developed out of Galatians 5: 22-23. This theme is often selected by pastors who preach because it is an excellent vehicle into understanding the characteristics of personal integrity at home and on the job.
What Every Christian Needs to Know About Passover: What It Means and Why It Matters
by Evan MofficThe Passover was celebrated by Jesus and the disciples the last time they were together. Now popular speaker and writer Rabbi Evan Moffic brings an understanding to the Last Supper that will forever change how Christians celebrate Communion and prepare for Easter. Beginning with the Hebrew Bible and Jewish history, Rabbi Moffic shows how these inform the roots of Christianity as he weaves together history, theology, Jewish practice and observances. Then he provides the background and resources for Christians seeking to experience an authentic Jewish Passover Seder and integrate it into their own preparation for Easter. Rabbi Moffic brings an informed and ancient perspective, explaining and bringing to life the source of so many of our modern Christian practices.By exploring and explaining the ritual and story surrounding the Jewish Passover, Rabbi Moffic shares with Christians the wisdom and inspiration of the Hebrew Bible—what Christians call the Old Testament—in a way that increases appreciation and understanding of the culture in which Jesus lived and taught. For contemporary Christians desiring to enrich their understanding of the faith they practice today, this book offers deeper understanding of their spiritual heritage shared with Judaism.
Embracing the Uncertain: 40 Devotions for Unsteady Times
by Magrey deVegaJust turning on the news lets us know we are living in uncertain times. Economic instabilities, eruption of violence, and natural catastrophes can alter the lives and landscapes of entire communities. Our individual lives are often just as unsteady: relationships can break, plans can falter, and confidence can fail.Uncertainty can definitely be uncomfortable. Many of us prefer stability and a predictable future to an unknown fate. We are wired to want to control our destiny.The reality is that in our fast-changing, unpredictable world there are few guarantees in life. It's those who are willing to embrace uncertainty and make the risky decision to follow Jesus despite the many "unknowns" who will reap the greatest rewards.Embracing the Uncertain invites readers this Lent to engage and wrestle with life's uncertainties, not ignore them.This 40-day devotional journey is the perfect companion piece to the book and includes Scripture, reflections, and prayers for each day to help you renew your heart during Lent.
Acts - Women's Bible Study Leader Guide: Awakening to God in Everyday Life (Acts)
by Melissa SpoelstraLearn to awaken to God’s Spirit today and every day by studying the Book of Acts with Melissa Spoelstra.Whether it’s because of distractions, busyness, or a case of the blahs, we can experience a drift toward indifference in our spiritual lives. We have a need for an ongoing spiritual awakening if we want to become more aware of God’s presence and activity in our everyday lives. In Acts: Awakening to God in Everyday Life, a six-week study of the Book of Acts by Melissa Spoelstra, you will journey with the first followers of Jesus and witness the birth and growth of the early church through spiritual awakening to the power of God’s Spirit, message, freedom, grace, mission, and direction. From their experiences you will learn postures that will help you attune your own spiritual heart to experience God’s presence, hear God’s voice, and see God at work all around. This study offers a fresh encounter with God to prepare you to:- Face daily battles- Be able to discern the messages of our culture- Be ready to share God’s love with others alwaysComponents for this six-week Bible study, each available separately, include a Participant Workbook, a Leader Guide, and video sessions with six 20 to 25-minute segments featuring Melissa Spoelstra (with closed captioning).
The Gift of New Creation [Large Print]: Scriptures for the Church Seasons (The Gift of New Creation)
by Thomas L. EhrichThe Gift of New Creation, originally released in 2015, invites us to explore God’s saving and redeeming love through a study of the lectionary Bible readings for Lent and Easter. Key Scriptures call us to prepare and contemplate God’s restoration and new creation through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Through the readings, we hear the invitation to embrace God’s salvation and the new life offered to us through Christ. The season of Lent offers opportunities to reflect on God’s redemptive action and to explore means of grace that help us move into new life in Christ. Transformation is a key focus of Lenten worship, study, and prayer. We will discover the salvation and renewal of creation revealed through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The Gift of New Creation is based on the Revised Common Lectionary scripture for church year C, the third of a three-year cycle of Bible readings. The study includes commentary and reflection on readings from the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the Epistles. It offers the opportunity to explore these Bible readings in a seven-session study. It will help participants understand, appreciate, and engage in meaningful and life-changing spiritual practices and offer gratitude for God’s salvation through Jesus Christ.
365 Meditations for Men by Men
by S. D. Sharpe; Christian Coon et alIntroductionMan’s search for meaning is the primary motivation in his life.—Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for MeaningThere is a longing deep within every man’s heart to discover meaning and purpose in life; to lead a life of significance as opposed to a life of “success”; to live a life of adventure, conquest, and victory; to make a difference and leave a positive, enduring mark on the world. Yet, as Henry David Thoreau observed, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Although Thoreau penned these words more than a century ago, they still ring true today. So many men—including devoted Christian men—wake up one day and realize they are leading lives of quiet desperation, silently “losing themselves” as they strive to meet unrealistic expectations, overcome mounting work and family pressures, and battle unrelenting temptations. These challenges can easily sidetrack men, causing them to lose their spiritual focus.Whether consciously or unconsciously, many men subsequently spend their time and energy and resources searching for significance in pursuits and people and things that can never fully satisfy. Some simply give up on ever finding lasting meaning and purpose in this world. Others find themselves somewhere in between. In any case, the result is often the same: a pervading sense of exhaustion, futility, or hopelessness.Yet there is a remedy to this cultural epidemic, and it is found in reclaiming and living out every man’s true purpose, which is found in God alone. As Saint Augustine wrote, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.” The apostle Paul expressed it this way: “Everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible . . . everything got started in [Christ] and finds its purpose in him” (Colossians 1:16 The Message). 365 Meditations for Men by Men is intended to help men focus on their relationship with God and, consequently, find real meaning and purpose in life. Twelve different Christian men share their reflections on what it means to be a man who seeks to follow Christ each and every day. Drawing upon the lives of men in the Bible as well as their own personal experiences, the writers present timeless truths and valuable life lessons that will speak to men of every age and experience. In addition to offering inspiration and encouragement, they provide counsel on practical matters such as how to · know God;· get your priorities in order;· become spiritually fit;· be holy and righteous;· make a difference;· be equipped;· step up;· take risks;· stand firm;· serve God wholeheartedly. As you make your way through the year (whether you start in January or June), you will be undergirded by a sense of brotherhood—an assurance that you are not alone on this journey. With this confidence, may you boldly and courageously pursue a full and abundant life in Christ!- S. D. Sharpe, editor
Beyond the Cherokee Trail
by Lisa CarterWhen Linden Birchfield arrives in the Snowbird Cherokee community to organize the 180th commemoration of the Trail of Tears, she runs head on—literally—into arrogant former army sniper Walker Crowe. A descendant of the Cherokee who evaded deportation by hiding in the rugged Snowbird Mountains, Walker believes no good can result from stirring up the animosity with the white Appalachian residents whose ancestors looted the tribal lands so long ago.Though at odds over the commemoration, Linden and Walker must unite against an unseen threat to derail the festival. Together they face an enemy whose implacable hatred can be traced to the events of the Trail, a dark chapter in America’s westward expansion. When called to resurrect his sniper abilities, Walker must thwart the enemy who threatens the modern-day inhabitants of tiny Cartridge Cove—and targets the woman who has captured his heart.
Disciple Fast Track Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study Leader Guide: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study
by Julia Kitchens Wilke Trust Richard B. WilkeNo additional preparation is needed for the Leader—just follow the Guide. Use the guide in class only. What could be easier?Disciple Fast Track, an adaptation of the original, bestselling Disciple Bible Study, provides a viable option for busy people seeking comprehensive engagement over time with the entire biblical text. Fast Track groups meet for a total of 24 weeks, devoting 12 weeks each to the Old Testament and the New Testament. Participants read a manageable 3-5 chapters of the Bible daily in preparation for the weekly meetings, which last approximately 75 minutes.A brief, illustrated review video enables participants to recall important facts and ideas; lively and engaging video presenters then offer insights into the current week’s session. Participants have the opportunity to take a spiritual gifts assessment and determine meaningful ways they can serve and live out their discipleship commitment. They also have opportunities for celebrations marking their completion of the Old and New Testament components of Disciple Fast Track. The flexible resources work well with groups of a few participants up to 100.
Baby's Song
by Dori ChaconasA picture book in lyrical rhyme, Baby's Song follows the seasons in the first year of baby's life. Mother and child share the joys that each season has to offer and grow in their awareness of the blessings God has given them throughout the year. The tender text is coupled with warm and personable illustrations, sure to be enjoyed over and over again for lap-time reading.
All I Want For Christmas Leader Guide: Opening the Gifts of God's Grace (All I Want For Christmas)
by James W. Moore John P. GilbertFrom the time the Wise Men came to bring gifts, Christmas has been a time of giving gifts to our loved ones, to the less fortunate, to the church, to favorite charities, to family, to friends, and even to our pets. In the best spirit of Christmas we give and receive Christmas gifts, remembering the greatest Christmas gift of all…God's gift of the Christ Child, God's gift to us of a Savior. As we give and receive Christmas gifts, it is incredibly important to remember that the best Christmas gifts are wrapped in heaven. Unfortunately, sometimes we concentrate so much on the gifts we want to give to and receive from each other that we miss the special gifts Christmas has for us. Christmas has some amazing gifts for us, but the truth is that we need the miracle of God's grace to see them, feel them, hear them, wrap our arms around them, and celebrate them. This study asks a very personal question: "What are the gifts you would really like to receive from Christmas this year?" And that is what this book is all about: our thoughts and ruminations about the amazing, life-changing gifts Christmas has for us! This Advent study has five sessions--one for each Sunday of Advent and one for Christmas. The Leader Guide is designed to be used alongside the DVD. It enables a small group leader to facilitate a weekly discussion about All I Want for Christmas using the five DVD sessions as its starting point. Questions and activities guide group participants to discuss and understand each chapter in greater depth. The DVD and Leader Guide are not a substitute for the book, but a guide for discussing the book in small groups.
More Letters for Every Occasion: A Pastor's Sourcebook
by James E. Taylor IIISending a personal note, email, or letter means that you took time to care. It can be a grace-filled symbol of your ministry outreach and an effective way to offer pastoral concern.The book offers more than 90 carefully written, thoughtful sample letters and emails that can be easily adapted for any particular situation. Contents include letters relating to church leadership; preaching and worship; pastoral care; stewardship and finance; administration; community outreach; membership and visitors. There is also helpful information and etiquette regarding email, Facebook, and Twitter.
A Woman Overwhelmed - Women's Bible Study Participant Workbook: A Bible Study on the Life of Mary, the Mother of Jesus (A Woman Overwhelmed)
by Hayley DiMarcoAs women, we often are overwhelmed by the demands and circumstances of life, resulting in stress, fear, worry, impatience, fatigue, frustration, and even depression. The truth is that we were created to be overwhelmed . . . not by life but by God! When we learn to be overwhelmed by God, the fruit in our lives goes from rotten to fragrant—filling our days with peace, hope, love, and joy.In this six-week Bible study, Hayley DiMarco walks us through the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who knew what it was like to be overwhelmed. As we explore Mary’s life—from the news that she would give birth to God’s Son to the day she witnessed his tragic death on the cross—we find ourselves on a journey from overwhelming joy to overwhelming sorrow and back again, learning along the way how to be consumed with the mission of God rather than the "mission of me."Each week begins with an in-depth exploration of a part of Mary’s story, with the remaining days providing practical and biblical application related to a particular aspect of life that can make us feel overwhelmed. As we dig into Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments, Hayley shows us how to find freedom by becoming overwhelmed instead with who God is—learning to "treasure in our hearts" what we know about God so that we can hold onto faith even when it seems that all is lost. Get ready to discover how to experience the overwhelming grace and love of God!The participant workbook includes five days of lessons for each week, combining stories from Hayley, study of Scripture with personal reflection, application, and prayer.Available components for the study, each available separately, include a Participant Workbook with five days of lessons per week, Leader Guide, DVD with six 20-25 minute sessions (with closed captioning), and boxed Leader Kit containing one of each component.
Who Is My Neighbor? Student Manual: Learning Spanish as Church Hospitality
by Ruth Cassel Hoffman Joyce Carrasco, M.A. Ngoc-Diep NguyenWho Is My Neighbor? (¿Quién es mi vecino?) is a field-tested resource through which English speakers of any church and congregation can learn basic Spanish-speaking skills to be able to communicate and provide a welcoming atmosphere to the Hispanic communities surrounding them. The six-session resource developed by the Northern Illinois Conference covers basic conversational Spanish, and simple and easy to follow Spanish-language worship material. The program encourages openness toward Spanish-speaking neighbors, understanding of different cultures, and compassion for those who struggle to learn English. This resource is easily implemented by congregations of any size, and it results in a program of hospitality that will help include Hispanic communities in your church congregation.
Light of the World: A Beginner's Guide to Advent (Light of the World)
by Amy-Jill LevineIn Light of the World: A Beginner’s Guide to Advent, author, professor, and biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine explores the biblical texts surrounding the story of the birth of Jesus. Join her as she traces the Christmas narrative through the stories of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary, the journey to Bethlehem, and the visit from the Magi. These stories open conversations around connections of the Gospel stories to the Old Testament, the role of women in first-century Jewish culture, the importance of Mary’s visitation and the revolutionary implications of Mary’s Magnificat, the census and the stable, and the star of Bethlehem and the flight to Egypt.The book provides a rich and challenging learning experience for small groups and individual readers alike. As part of a larger four-week study that is perfect for Advent, it includes a DVD and a comprehensive leader guide.
Speaking Well: Essential Skills for Speakers, Leaders, and Preachers
by Adam HamiltonThe thought of speaking in publicstrikes fear in the hearts of many. But we are often called upon tospeak, teach, preach, or make presentations in our work and personallives. In Speaking Well, Adam Hamilton offers nineteen powerful tips and tactics that lead to excellent speaking in any setting. "One of today’s masters instructs us in the art of public speaking. I wish I’d had this book twenty years ago!" —Cal Turner, retired CEO of Dollar General "A great and fun book for all who speak in public . . ." —Jerre Stead, Chairman and CEO of IHS Inc."Adam teaches us how to use the gift of words effectively and in ways that elevate and inspire those who hear them. " —Irvine O. Hockaday Jr., retired President and CEO of Hallmark Cards (1985–2001) "This little book will improve your preparation, content, delivery, and impact." —Patricia Farris, Senior Minister, First United Methodist Church, Santa Monica, CA "Want to be a better speaker? Readthis book! It will remind you of things you know but have forgotten andwill give you new practices to follow." —O. Wesley Allen Jr., Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX "An unbelievably helpful pocket resource . . ." —Frank Thomas, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN "If you want to become a better public speaker, take lessons from a master." —Mike Bonem, speaker, consultant, and author of Leading from the Second Chair
Inside the Miracles of Jesus: Discovering the Power of Desperation
by Jessica LaGroneJesus demonstrated the presence and power of God by performing miracles. He turned water into wine, healed the sick, calmed the storm, opened blind eyes, and raised the dead. While these beloved stories draw our attention to divine power, Christ’s miracles signify something deeper—they’re windows into God’s grand story of human desperation and redemption. Every time we see Jesus performing a miracle, we also get a glimpse into the gift of desperation, a gift that opens us to the dramatic power of God through our desperate need for him. By explaining the meaning and significance of these miracles, Jessica LaGrone shows us their relevance for our lives today. She unpacks how understanding the meaning of Christ’s miracles will help us better grasp the salvation God has brought into the world, see that our weakness is an invitation for God to work powerfully in our lives, and remind us that we need God on our best days just as much as we do on our worst.
The Greatest of These: Biblical Moorings of Love
by John IndermarkGod is love. Love one another. We teach these to children and new Christians, but what exactly do we mean (and do they hear) by love? Our culture offers a multitude of understandings and experiences through which the meaning of love can be filtered. We in the church can become sloppy in our proclamation and embodiment of love as a result of those filterings, unless we remain grounded in the Biblical moorings of love revealed in the narratives of both the Old and New Testaments.The Greatest of These offers an extended exploration of love 's qualities in scripture. Each of the six chapters begins with a single page introduction to the chapter theme. The bulk of each chapter consists of six individual readings (2.5 to 3 pages each) that reflect on a Biblical passage related to the chapter 's theme on love. The book is written for use by individuals or groups, and a leader's guide, which is written into the book, provides for six suggested sessions.Chapter One - Love as Gift Chapter Two - Love as Invitation Chapter Three - Love as Loyalty Chapter Four - Love as Ethic Chapter Five - Love as Compassion Chapter Six - Love as Wonder The written-in leader 's guide provides a basic template that can be used for each session along with specific suggestions for six sessions to plug into the template in order to explore each of the book 's chapters.
Genesis to Revelation: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible (Genesis to Revelation series)
by Prof. John C. HolbertThe Book of Psalms study begins with a look at the hymns of praise and ends with the Psalms of confidence. Some of the major ideas explored are: God is the Creator of all, what does the Lord require of me, the diversity of the Psalms, responses to crisis, and the use of Psalms in worship.Leader Guide includes: A verse-by-verse, in-depth look at the Scriptures. Background material, including word studies and history of the biblical setting. Answers to questions asked in the Participant Book. Application of the Scripture to daily life situations. Discussion suggestions. A variety of study options. Practical tips for leaders to use.More than 3.5 million copies of the series have been sold.This revision of the Abingdon classic Genesis to Revelation Series is a comprehensive, verse-by-verse, book-by-book study of the Bible based on the NIV. These studies help readers strengthen their understanding and appreciation of the Bible by enabling them to engage the Scripture on three levels: What does the Bible say? Questions to consider while reading the passage for each session. What does the passage mean? Unpacks key verses in the selected passage. How does the Scripture relate to my life? Provides three major ideas that have meaning for our lives today. The meaning of the selected passages are made clear by considering such aspects as ancient customs, locations of places, and the meanings of words.The meaning of the selected passages are made clear by considering such aspects as ancient customs, locations of places, and the meanings of words. The simple format makes the study easy to use. Includes maps and glossary with key pronunciation helps.Updates will include: New cover designs. New interior designs. Leader Guide per matching Participant Book (rather than multiple volumes in one book). Updated to 2011 revision of the New International Version Translation (NIV). Updated references to New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible. Include biblical chapters on the contents page beside session lesson titles for at-a-glance overview of biblical structure. Include larger divisions within the contents page to reflect macro-structure of each biblical book. Ex: Genesis 1-11; Genesis 12-50; Exodus 1-15; Exodus 16-40; Isaiah 1-39; Isaiah 40-66.The simple format makes the study easy to use. Each volume is 13 sessions.
Daily Bible Study Winter 2020-2021
by Sue Mink Michael Whitcomb-Tavey Taylor W. MillsThis ongoing day-by-day Bible study series is presented in quarterly segments. Bible-based, Christ-focused, and United Methodist-approved, this resource helps individuals develop the discipline of studying the Bible every day. It coordinates with the lesson themes of Adult Bible Studies listed on the facing page. Each lesson includes: a one-page Bible study for each day of the quarter, along with introductory reflection questions and Commentary on the daily Scripture passage, Life Application, and a concluding prayer.group studies. Available in regular and large print or as an eBook. Winter theme: TRADITION Sacred Gifts and Holy Gatherings Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Song of Solomon Isaiah Hosea Micah Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians Revelation
Fresh Expressions of the Rural Church
by Michael Adam Beck Tyler KleebergerLearn to cultivate the extraordinary gifts of Christian community in the countryside with Fresh Expressions of the Rural Church by Tyler Kleeberger and Michael Beck.The rural church was a community’s centerpiece. The place where people gathered to worship and hear a sermon, break bread together, and support each other through the joys and struggles of life with the land. In many ways, the rural church captured a central aspect of the church’s mission: to be the guiding hand for the life of a place.Can rural congregations flourish again? Can new Christian communities succeed in rural areas? Could healthy rural churches catalyze a better future for their declining communities?This book collects stories from the diversity of rural contexts across the US. It lays out a fresh theology for rural life and offers principles for harnessing the potential of what some consider the forgotten spaces. Each chapter includes a helpful Field Exercise—questions for discussion and suggested actions for leadership teams to work through together. Chapters conclude with a Field Story illustrating how the chapter’s main ideas can work in a real church setting.Praise for Fresh Expressions of the Rural ChurchFresh Expressions of the Rural Church offers hope for the renewal that can take place in “out of the way” places. In these sacred rural places folks can experience the love of God and neighbor, undergo true healing, participate in the renewal of community, and discover a place to belong. - Daniel G. Beaudoin, Bishop, Northwestern Ohio Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaFresh Expressions of the Rural Church helps us to reconsider our Wesleyan roots and the gifts of our rural contexts, a seedbed packed with possibility for new communities of faith to form and flourish.- Heather M. Jallad, Fresh Expressions specialist, North Georgia Conference, UMCBeck and Kleeberger have taken a sample of the good soil that is faithful rural mission, identified the challenges, celebrated the riches, and offered us a powerful way to learn and be in partnership and connection with the gifts of God. - Ken Carter, Bishop, Florida and Western North Carolina Conferences of the United Methodist Church; co-author, Fresh Expressions: A New Kind of Methodist Church from Abingdon Press