Does theology have to be dry and boring in order to be serious? Not at all! The prophet Isaiah once said, “a little child will lead them.” But, what about a character from Winnie the Pooh? Can anxious, yet adventurous, Piglet help us understand our relationship with God and one another? Theology is serious business. So serious that it can’t be left solely to adults! Bruce Epperly’s imaginative conversations with Piglet explore the contours of theological reflection from the perspective of...
What is a spiritual gifts? How can I know what gifts are spiritual gifts? The original edition of Identifying Your Gifts and Service was a program for whole church congregations, led by a teacher, to discover their gifts and place of service. It contained a survey, as does this book, but that is not a typical scientific survey designed to discover what kind of personality you have, what you feel like doing, or even what your talents are. The author believes that the key to identifying...
Sometimes going radical means getting to the root. Sometimes it means pulling something up by the roots. What is it that is keeping you from doing what God wants you to do? There are many books about how to do church «right.» There are programs for every imaginable thing you might want to improve in your church. There are at least as many measures by which you can determine whether your church is successful. Ditch the Building ditches that approach and asks you to look at what God is...
In this 15th volume of the Participatory Study Series, Bob McKibben opens up the gospel of Mark in new ways. Often considered of secondary theological value, more of a short story version of the gospel, Bob presents Mark as history and serious theology with a very relevant message for followers of Jesus today. The participatory study method is especially fruitful in this guide as readers walk with Jesus through the story of the apostles, watch as the cross approaches and wonder with them what...
When called on to preach, whether you are a pastor or lay preacher, do you sometimes find yourself blocked? "Writer's block is a common complaint from many authors. They reach a point sometimes when they simply cannot produce anything worth reading. Preachers often encounter this same kind of roadblock when they attempt to prepare sermons."– William Powell Tuck With this opening sentence, Dr Tuck brings his many years of experience as professor and pastor and freely gives some «nuts...
Theology is often seen as a discussion of dry doctrines, suitable mostly for academic institutions, but separated from the practice of faith. In this third volume of the Academy of Parish Clergy's Conversations in Ministry series Dr. Bob Cornwall, church historian, theologian, and pastor, shows the ways in which one's theology shapes one's ministry in the church and in the world. Besides discussing the theological roots of ministry and mission, this book is firmly placed in the...
What are your mornings like? Rushing out the door to work, to school, to however many task a day holds? How can your to-do list be longer than the hours in the day? We know we should spend some time with God because He can help us get through this day, but where do we find the time? Help! Linda Estes invites you to join her in a “one minute devotion” each day with our LORD. Take a thought that He has laid on her heart into your day. Let it surround your thoughts, your tasks and see what God...
The question of what happens after death has fascinated human beings for as long as we’ve had any sense of spirituality. There have been popular books, stories of speculative fiction, reports of visions, and serious Bible studies attempted to explain to us what happens at death and beyond. In Death, Immortality, and Resurrection, Dr. Edward Vick explores this question from the viewpoint of a philosopher and theologian. In this book, he examines scriptural sources along with a variety of...
What is wrong with the author of Ecclesiastes? Why is there a book in the Bible that tells us that all is vanity? Who is the author? Ecclesiastes: A Participatory Study Guide is the ninth volume in the Participatory Study Series and the first that is a guide to an Old Testament book. There has been much controversy about the correct approach to interpreting Ecclesiastes. Is the author clinically depressed? Should you read the book when you're down in order to find someone who can join...