Category: Booklets & Journals
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Rising To The Risk
“This book tells about the success stories of vital and dynamic small congregations. You’ll see common characteristics among these small churches. They are dedicated followers of Jesus Christ led by faith to  dynamic and useful Christ-like change. Others do not dictate that changes will happen; instead the members and pastors, and, in some cases, the…
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The French Confession of 1559
From the Preface: At the present time, when the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) must learn to live with the reality of its ‘cultural disestablishment,’ the French Confession is a helpful conversation partner. It is more than a mere historical curiosity, for although the French Confession is a product of 16th century Europe, it is neither out…
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Pastoral Expectations Inventory
The Pastoral Expectations Inventory provides a basis for the pastor and session to clarify and agree upon (1) priorities in the life of the church; (2) priorities in the activities in which the pastor will engage; (3) time required for the performance of those activities; and (4) the way in which members of the session…
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Connectional Church Development
This manual is a Presbytery handbook for creating new churches based on the priorities of planting more new churches, seeing more of our new congregations realize their goals and fufill their potential, and lowering the financial costs of starting new congregations.
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Lift Every Voice
This report recommends ways to strengthen democratic — small d — promise and practice in the political life of the United States based on principles of Reformed Christianity. Presbyterian political scientists, ethicists and others studied why so many Americans do not vote, despite the 2007 renewal of Voting Rights Act protections against racial discrimination. Remedies…
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Comfort My People
This policy approved by the 218th General Assembly (2008) offers practical Guidance to individuals and groups about how to welcome and address the needs of persons affected by mental illness. Guided by Jesus’ words and actions, the person and family living with serious mental illnesses are invited together into new ways of participating in God’s…
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Living Until We Die
This study guide for Living Till We Die serves as a companion to the book, Practicing Our Faith, A Way of Life for a Searching People, ed. Dorothy C. Bass,  Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1997. Twelve faith practices are presented in the book. The study guide focuses on six of those, exploring them through an end-of-life lens. These time-honored spiritual practices have…
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The Pastor As Newcomer
All too often when a pastor takes up a new assignment or call the same frustrating series of events occurs: everyone experiences a burst of enthusiasm and hope, with Lay people and clergy finding that doors seem to open to new possibilities a few things go wrong, some hopes get dashed, personal differences emerge, old.…
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Guidelines for Communal Discernment
Discernment is a gift of the Holy Spirit that orients persons to be attentive to the presence of God in our midst. In discernment, persons sift through the many spirits that vie for our attention to hear the One True Spirit. discernment may be described as a means to: recognize and acknowledge what God is…
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To Strengthen Christ’s Body
Conflict is a part of life even within the church. Conflict is not, in and of itself, either good or harmful. Conflicts contain the potential for both, depending on how they are handled. This resource identifies and explores basic concepts and tools that can help address the conflict and disagreements that are a part of…
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Discovering Your Ministry Identity
This comprehensive workbook combines a series of seven exercises and assessments to help people personally discover who they are in Christ. The range of discovery includes these categories: spiritual fitness, spiritual gifting (from three different angles), ministry burden or passion, team style, personal values, and leadership strengths (Principle Priorities). This broad scope looks at the…
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Team Style Questionnaire
This tool helps people see how they work with others on a team or in a group. You will identify your primary style when working with others and understand the strengths and liabilities of various styles.