From the Desert Fathers to T. S. Eliot, the desert has occupied a special place in the Christian tradition. The Wilderness of God is a fascinating study of desert spirituality which shows that the desert can be experienced as a place both of real inspiration and of torture and desolation. The Wilderness of God brings […]
A multicultural conference has convened. Everything is in place, and the participants arrive brimming with goodwill and even better intentions. Surely this time…! But, no. Halfway through the meetings, communication grinds to a halt, and people retreat to the safety of their own groups. What happened? And how can we keep it from happening again? […]
Worship is the work of the people of God. Patterns of worship shape how we pray and how we live. Despite its centrality to church life, worship is too often taken for granted as something a congregation experiences rather than collectively creates. The Work of the People simply and clearly explains the structure of worship, the actions […]
In a single vlume Donald K. McKim traces the historical and systematic development of eight major Christian doctrines from the early centuries to the present. Clearly written and amply documented, his introductory handbook features primary sourves and extensive endnotes. He covers: the Trinity, Christology, Ecclesiology, Anthropology, Soteriology, Authority, the Sacraments, and Eschatology; concentrating on the […]
This one-volume guide to a healthy congregation combines the wisdom of a rabbi with the expertise of an organizational development consultant to demonstrate the power of positive relationships and show how to avoid some of the common traps that can lead to serious conflict. Using the life of the synagogue as its central illustration, this […]
This accessible introduction to the Christian faith offers a hands-on look at the whole story of the Bible in an effort to help the person in the pew grapple with what it means to be a Christian in a world of conflicting ideologies and competing claims. This We Believe presents eight beliefs that form the […]
Leadership is elusive, desperately needed, complex, defined by many, modeled by some and understood by few. This book is not intended to answer all the questions you might have about leadership, but it will provide invaluable and practical insights for three strategic issues every leader must thoroughly understand: management, finances, and boards. You will gain: […]
Divided into three parts, Through the Eyes of Women underscores how gender and public policy issues need to be emphasized, explores several specific issues of women–especially issues of the body–in a way that is counter to the prevailing and the unhelpful dichotomy between mind and body, and concentrates on women as the care providers–the training […]
In this lay-friendly introduction to what it means to be a Presbyterian, Louis B. Weeks explains the life, history, tradition, and beliefs of the Presbyterian Church. More than providing just a brief overview, Weeks ties his explanations to actual congregational situations. Each chapter begins with an anecdote and then examines the theme in the following […]
This book is an introduction to the deliberations of the special committee assigned to formulate a new Brief Statement of Faith for the newly reunited Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), for possible inclusion in the Book of Confessions. Designed for clergy and lay people in congregations, the book makes an excellent resource for exploring the question of […]