Pastoral Helps
Showing 3701–3750 of 4395 resultsSorted by latest
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Preaching Verse By Verse
$25.00Ronald Allen and Gilbert Bartholomew introduce preachers to verse-by-verse praching, in which the sermon unfolds much like a commentary on the Bible: the preacher interprets the passage unit by unit. They note its applicability in a variety of settings and occasions, and offer practical suggestions for preparing a sermon in the style, including sample sermons from different genres and tips for keeping it fresh, vital, and engaging.
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Firestorm : Preventing And Overcoming Church Conflicts (Reprinted)
$23.52According to one survey, as many as one third of all congregations have suffered conflicts severe enough to result in the firing or forced resignation of one or more of their pastors. Ron Susek, who has firsthand experience of the lasting effects of church controversy and has ministered to churches in turmoil, offers a detailed portrait of how events can often spiral out of control–not unlike the flames of a wildfire.
Firestorm describes the six successive phases through which conflicts generally pass. In each phase, Susek identifies the tensions that tend to develop, explains how they are compounded if left unresolved, and offers practical, spiritual guidance for pastors and congregational leaders.
The book also explains the spiritual, social, and psychological causes of conflict; the most appropriate means for dealing with controversy in its various stages; and what can be done in the firestorm’s aftermath to restore faith and hope.
A detailed plan of action is included.
If you think that God fell into good fortune the day you committed your wonderful leadership skills to his work and that the two of you are building a masterpiece of a church that will stand until the Lord returns, then don’t bother reading this book. Enjoy your illusion while it lasts.
If, on the other hand, you have been in the ministry long enough to know that your church could blow into a firestorm of conflict despite your best efforts and that it demands a constant vigil to keep the temperature set at spiritually warm, not destructively hot, then this book may be of some assistance.
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Discover Your Spiritual Type
$48.33From Urban T. Holmes’ spiritual typology and her own experience as a spiritual director and pastoral counselor, Ware provides a framework for people to name and understand their spiritual experience-in much the same way Myers-Briggs typology provides a framework for understanding personality type. Readers explore four spiritual types-head, heart, mystic, and Kingdom-and exercises allow individuals and groups to assess their type. Additional help for clergy to use this tool with congregations is included, which will help them gain greater understanding of how members learn about, worship, and celebrate God-and why there may be tension about such issues as the form or content of the worship service
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Clergy Self Care
$50.00Nationally known for his work and teaching on clergy development, Oswald integrates research and experience into a liberating perspective on the pastoral calling. Discover how imbalances in your physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual lives can destroy the very ministry you seek to carry out. Learn what you can do to restore that balance. Packed with self-assessment tools, real-life experiences, and specific self-care strategies.
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Saying Goodbye : A Time Of Growth For Congregations And Pastors
$38.33Leaving a pastorate is hard on both congregation and pastor. Learn how to make this transition a growth experience for all. Written for congregations and pastors, Goodbye skillfully weaves accounts from clergy, laity, and educators of seven denominations with White’s own insight as a former General Presbyter to create a resource for meaningful and healthy partings. Includes examples of a “farewell” worship service and litany for closure of a ministry.
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Inviting Church : A Study Of New Member Assimilation
$38.33Ever wonder why some people never return after their first visit? Why some join but you rarely see them? Or why others become active participants in your church family’s life and worship? Discover how your congregation can meet growth challenges. Based on Alban Institute research, The Inviting Church includes a self-study design for assessing assimilation processes and analyzing visitors’ perceptions.
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Running Through The Thistles
$21.66Can how you leave a church affect your feelings about leaving or create “baggage” you take to your new congregation? Gain insight into termination styles and how they affect both you and your parishioners. Oswald guides you through Alban Institute research findings, using real-life illustrations.
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Transforming Rituals : Daily Practices For Changing Lives
$38.33Today’s rapid, deep, and pervasive changes in North American culture present myriad challenges for faith communities now and in the years ahead. Oswald explores the use of rituals as spiritually healing practices for the home, congregation, and broader community. He teaches congregational leaders how individuals and groups can use familiar new rituals to name, evaluate, live out, celebrate, and grow through change.
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Generous Saints : Congregations Rethinking Ethics And Money
$38.33A constructive theology and ethics of money in the Christian life, this series addition is by James Hudnut-Beumler, dean and associate professor of religion and culture at Columbia Theological Seminary, and deals with vital questions. “What does the Lord require? what is the true meaning of the term ‘commonwealth?’ and how does the church build a stable base for its members to live ethical lives?” A positive approach to forming the basis for new thought and discussion.
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Total Ministry : Reclaiming The Ministry Of All Of Gods People
$38.33Used successfully in Episcopal dioceses and congregations, Total Ministry describes a new way for local congregations (especially small ones) and judicatories to organize their response to God’s call and to provide resources, support, and encouragement for ministry-a way that is not dependent only on full-time, seminary-trained, ordained leaders.
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Music In Churches
$38.33Clergy, worship or music committees, organists, and choir or music directors will find this a practical and invaluable guide to the role and power of music to express and form faith. Clark researched twenty-four Episcopal and United Methodist congregations to discover how churchgoers express their faith through music. Discover how music can either enhance or detract from tradition and faith experience. Explore how it can shape your congregation’s character.
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Understanding Your Congregation As A System (Reprinted)
$53.33Parsons and Leas have created an important tool for congregational leaders in this application of systems theory to evaluating a congregation’s life and readiness for change. Church leaders can explore the forces at work and examine the systemic implications in seven key areas: strategy, process, pastoral and lay leadership, authority, relatedness, and learning. The Manual provides an overview of systems theory, complete instructions for administering and scoring the Congregational Systems Inventory (CSI), and guidance for interpreting and explaining the inventory results using sample scores. Be sure to order some packs of the CSI along with this valuable resource
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Single In The Church
$33.33Single adults are expected to comprise 52% of all Americans by the year 2000. Explore the concerns, needs, and fears of this segment of our society and how your church may be ignoring it. Discover practical ways churches have opened their ministries, worship, and congregational life to include singles. An eye-opening discovery that a church growth model need not rely on family-oriented programs and structures
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Making Your Church More Inviting
$38.33If you’ve read the book or viewed the course, now lead your church in study with this workbook approach to Alban’s Inviting Church materials. Its fifteen sessions are designed to help clergy or lay leaders guide committees or study groups through a dynamic exploration of their congregation’s IQ (invitation quotient). Discover how well you invite, welcome, and incorporate new members. As participants uncover the inviting elements of your church, they develop a personal witness style that emerges comfortably from their individual gifts.
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Evaluating Ministry : Principles And Processes For Clergy And Congregations
$38.33Grounding evaluation in the theological and organizational context of mission (everyone a minister), Hudson describes case studies of four successful evaluation models that include the whole church. She suggests how “whole church” reviews might result in stronger pastoral ministry and new directions for mission. An important resource that will help clergy and laity explore mutual ministry, judicatory executives strengthen congregations, and new pastors get through their first congregational evaluation.
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Once And Future Church
$38.33Mead takes a broad look at past and present changes in the church, and postulates a future to which those changes are calling us. Denominations, once structured to deliver resources to far-off lands of foreign mission, now encounter the mission field in the layperson’s workplace and the community surrounding the local congregation. Thus, the church is called to reinvention for this new mission frontier. Study guide information follows.
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Personality Type And Religious Leadership
$50.00Combining pastoral and behavioral science expertise, the authors spell out ways type and temperament theory illuminate the clergy role. Learn how to use the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types to recognize and affirm your gifts, work with your liabilities, and understand and accept those with whom you minister.
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Behavioral Covenants In Congregations (Workbook)
$43.33This down-to-earth workbook gets to the heart of modern congregational life: how to live creatively together despite differences of age, race, culture, opinion, gender, theological or political position. Alban Senior Consultant Gil Rendle explains how to grow by valuing our differences rather than trying to ignore or blend them. He describes a method of establishing behavioral covenants that includes leadership instruction, training tools, resources (visual models, examples of specific covenants), small-group exercises, plans for meetings and retreats.
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In Between Church
$38.33Alban Senior Consultant Mann draws on her lengthy experience in helping congregations deal with the hurdles and anxieties of expansion or contraction in size. Often, congregations experiencing size change do not recognize the need to change culture and form as part of the successful adaptation process. Mann details the adjustments in attitude-as well as practice-that are necessary to support successful size change.
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Leading Change In The Congregation
$51.66Many books have been written about leadership and change, but until now none has focused on the kind of change that tears at a community’s very fabric. Alban senior consultant Gil Rendle provides a respectful context for understanding change, especially the experiences and resistances that people feel. Rendle pulls together theory, research, and his work with churches facing change to provide leaders with practical diagnostic models and tools. In a time when change is the norm, this book helps to “lead change” in a spiritual and healthy way.
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Discerning Your Congregations Future
$51.66Drawing on extensive consulting experience with congregations, the authors provide a step-by-step guide to congregational planning that grounds strategic planning techniques in a process of spiritual discernment. The result: members will own the vision and be eager to participate in the congregation’s calling, life, and ministry. You and your planning committee learn the theory behind the techniques, along with receiving help for addressing specific situations.
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Attending Parishioners Spiritual Growth
$38.33In this clarion call to tend to spiritual growth, Williamsen provides a much-needed resource for clergy. Discover how to assist parishioners in their prayer and spiritual life. Learn how individual spiritual growth can flow back into the congregation’s growth as a community. Explore new ideas and practical approaches to using Christian education, worship, retreats, devotional guides, and church meetings as tools to achieve spiritual growth. Learn about spirituality gender differences; the importance of your own spiritual life; spiritually grounding lay leaders; encouraging spiritual friendships and study groups. For clergy interested in developing spirituality at the individual level; seminary professors who want to help their students explore this aspect of parish ministry; and judicatory executives who wish to encourage their clergy in this area.
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Faith
$9.99You may have faith, but may also realize that it can mean many things. Is it belief or trust or waiting or moral behavior or something else? Or is it all those things? This resource targets adult learners in their 20’s and 30’s. It challenges you to examine a powerful biblical image that defines and shapes your life, and includes these helpful features: Bible background on the particular image: faith. Articles on group leadership, organizing a study group, using small Break-Out groups, and choosing teaching options. Case studies throughout the text and in the appendix to use as discussion starters or as a bridge to your own experiences. Seven easy-to-lead sessions with clear teaching helps on every page. Options for service projects.
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Once And Future Pastor
$41.66Hobgood examines new pressures on clergy that are emerging in the “post-Christendom era:” financial stresses; the effects of a conflicted and confrontational culture; the needs of an increasing number of people living broken or dependent lives; dysfunctional behavior on the part of pastors and parishioners; questions regarding clergy respect and job satisfaction. How is ministry being affected by these changes? What skills will clergy need as they enter the new century? An invaluable resource thoroughly grounded in research and full of practical observations for clergy, judicatory executives, seminary professors, and long-range planners.
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Embracing Diversity : Leadership In Multicultural Congregations
$33.33Explore a variety of approaches congregations have taken to embrace differences; identify leadership issues diversity creates in congregations; and discover programmatic suggestions drawn from the experience of multicultural congregations to address these issues. This book helps readers to understand their own experience with racial and cultural differences and is a guide for gathering diverse people into the life and mission of the congregation
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User Friendly Evaluation
$38.33Each congregation must evaluate itself in light of its own mix of gifts, backgrounds, talents, and opportunities. Presenting the best of evaluation theory past and present, Woods shows clergy and lay leaders how to engage in mutual evaluation-not judgment-of ministry, mission, and community as a shared responsibility. The goal is building up the congregation. A special chapter provides commentary from church evaluation experts Roy Oswald (Alban), Paul Light (ABUSA denominational staff), and Jill Hudson (PCUSA judicatory executive) on dilemmas congregations face in evaluation
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Small Groups In The Church
$33.33This planning and leader training handbook offers a distinctive broad-based, small-group approach to building community. From the Jewish havurot to Christian koinonia, you will gain a thorough understanding of community, learn how to plan an effective small-group ministry, how to select and train leaders for all kinds of small groups, and how to start small groups that are a part of and not apart from their congregations. Appendices provide an overview of the sociological, psychological, and biblical theological literature on community and a wealth of presentation and leader training resources.
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Pastoral Visitation
$31.66This book integrates the theory and practice of pastoral visitation to increase the effectiveness of pastors and trained laity for an intentional, proactive program of pastoral visitation in the local church. In order to increase pastoral visitor’s positive experiences of effectiveness, the author presents basic “how to” information in a straightforward manner characterized by vivid illustrations and case studies. The book provides a theological basis for pastoral visitation.
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Making A Good Move
$20.99If you’re thinking of applying for a position in another church, you’ll appreciate the sensible guidance Coyner offers on transitioning from one pastorate to another! Discover how to establish working relationships with church members, move smoothly out of the “honeymoon” phase, and more. A valuable resource for new and seasoned pastors.
Michael Coyner argues that though the early months and years of a new pastorate can be stressful and difficult, they can also be particularly fruitful. These new beginnings can be among the most rewarding times of a pastor’s career, especially if the minister seizes opportunities for establishing and strengthening relationships with church members and plans carefully for the transition out of the initial “honeymoon” period. Drawing on years of experience as a pastor of local congregations as well as extensive work supervising pastors, Coyner provides solid, sensible guidance on making a good move into a successful ministry. Written in consultation with pastors from both “call” and “appointment” systems, this book will be of value to those who are starting a new ministry placement, whether they be fresh out of seminary or long-time seasoned veterans.
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Teaching Children Bible Basics
$21.99Help the 8- to 10-year-olds in your Sunday school learn to use the Bible! Children gain a working knowledge of the Bible’s structure, organization, and significance. The interactive 30-minute lessons stimulate creativity and critical thinking; each includes a lesson focus, Scripture text, materials list, learning activities, discussion questions, and closing prayer. A practical guide for teachers!
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Fit To Be A Pastor
$28.00G. Lloyd Rediger believes that pastors should be at the forefront of the battle against the unfitness of body, mind, and spirit that is endemic in America. Living life to the fullest has become, for most, only a vague possibility.
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Pilgrim Road
$28.00Christian faith and life are not static; in fact, they can be viewed as a journey. Preeminent theologian B.A. Gerrish uses the motif of the journey of Christian life to present the cardinal Christian themes-such as God, faith, sin, forgiveness, evil, and moral action-as well as to address important related contempory questions.
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Never Call Them Jerks
$43.33No church is immune to the problems that can arise when parishioners behave in difficult ways. Responding to such situations with self-awareness and in a manner true to one’s faith tradition makes the difference between peace and disaster. In this must-read book, Boers shows how a better understanding of difficult behavior can help congregational leaders avoid the trap of labeling such parishioners and exercise self-care when the going gets rough. Foreword by David W. Augsburger, author of Conflict Mediation across Cultures.
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Heart Of Black Preaching
$45.00Cleophus LaRue argues that the extraordinary character of black preaching derives from a distinctive biblical hermeneutic that views God as involved in practical ways in the lives of African Americans. This hermeneutic, he believes, has remained constant since the days of slavery.
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Word Of The Lord Year B
$40.00Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel readings are printed out in full from the NRSV translation of the Bible, providing an essential resource for worship. The clear layout of the text makes this an ideal volume for reading aloud or for personal study.
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Preaching In The New Creation
$30.00Most preachers have little fondness for apocalyptic texts because of their scathing language, surrealistic plots, and enigmatic symbols. David Jacobsen not only helps preachers move past these barriers, but offers a three-part approach for preaching these texts today.
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Fun Activities For Bible Learning
$28.68Do you ever have trouble keeping the attention of the children in your Sunday school classroom? Do you find that the young people get restless? Would you like some help in getting kids interested in the Bible? Then use one of the activities in this book!
Stimulate your youngsters’ interest and a spirit of positive competition with these …
Puzzles
Paper and pencil games
Memory work activities
Bible drill games
Board games
Action games that teach Bible truths and spiritual valuesAll this while providing fun ways to use their pent-up energy! These activities are perfect for Sunday school classes, children’s church, Bible clubs, Christian and home schools, Christian camps, or for home family times.
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They Came Together In Bethlehem
$16.18This book provides a complete worship resource for busy pastors …
Sermons for Advent, Christmas Eve, and the Sunday after Christmas
Advent candle readings with scripture verses
Pastoral prayers
Children’s object lessons
Dramatic monologues which can be presented by the pastor or a lay personAssign the materials … schedule the sermon titles … then relax and enjoy the season with your family as you employ these inspiring materials in your congregation.
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Culture Of Disbelief Cycle B
$16.18Through fascinating anecdotes and narrative stories, Donna Schaper relates these ancient texts to contemporary situations. She skillfully applies the Gospel of life and hope to circumstances of suffering and death.
Chapters include:
Letting Death Go — Mark 8:31-38
Paying Attention To The Modern Light — John 3:14-21
Junk Food And Holy Tables — John 18:1-19
Being Spiritually Odd — John 20:19-31
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Out Of The Whirlwind Cycle B
$16.18Writing on the lectionary texts from Job, Stroman deals with extremely contemporary issues. We discover in these messages that Job’s struggles are the same as ours. The texts from Ruth and 1 Samuel introduce us to four important Old Testament women: Naomi, Orpah, Ruth, and Hannah. They all play an important role in the biblical narrative, as well as providing insight into vital current issues.
Chapters include:
*Taking The Good With The Bad — (Job 1:1; 2:1-10)
*Making Our Feelings Known — (Job 23:1-9, 16-17)
*The Tale of Three Women — (Ruth 1:1-8)
*God Remembers — (1 Samuel 1:4-20)
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Parables Of Jesus Cycle B
$16.18The parable is the most well-known literary form presented in the Gospels – and since narrative or story sermons are such a prominent element in the contemporary pulpit, pastors are preaching on the parable texts more frequently than ever.
This book provides a thorough and complete examination of each of the parables in Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary. Each parable study includes:
discussion of the theme
spiritual food for the journey
application of the parable to contemporary life
openings for preaching
points of challenge and questions to ponder
exegesis and explanation of the parable
context of the parableThese studies will be a classic resource for preaching … or useful for Bible study and inspiration.
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Defining Moments Cycle B
$18.68The Old Testament readings in the lectionary are often neglected during the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany seasons in favor of the more direct and easier-to-preach New Testament passages. William Self brings his creative imagination to these scriptural passages and gives them new life for the preacher.
The sermons of this veteran preacher are written with the pew in mind. They are for people who hurt, for people who wait, for people who face defining moments, and for churches that struggle to proclaim the Gospel. Amply illustrated from life and literature, these sermons can be read for inspiration by lay persons and clergy alike.
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Ashes To Ascension Cycle B
$16.18These sermons lift up the themes of suffering, reconciliation, and the unmerited goodness of God extended to all through Jesus Christ. Stroman never loses sight of the kerygma in his tightly packed messages. He addresses a world where hatred and violence prevail with the message of divine love, which has enriched souls and kindled faith throughout the centuries.
Titles include:
Beginning The Journey To Calvary — 2 Corinthians 5:20b
Once And For All — 1 Peter 3:18a
Promises — Promises — Romans 4:21
The Right Person For The Job — Hebrews 5:5-10
Life – And Then Some — 1 John 5:9-13
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Partners In Ministry
$21.99Could you use a partner in your ministry? Utilize the laity! Writing from the standpoint that ministry is the fundamental vocation of all Christians, the authors provide practical guidance on how the work of clergy and laity complements and strengthens each other; understanding of the functions of each; and direction on building ministry teams.
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