Confirmation is one of the most widespread practices in the contemporary church, although much confusion exists about its relationship to faith: Is confirmation a rite of passage? Is it just one step on an unfolding journey of faith? Are new privileges granted and additional responsibilities required of confirmants? Christian educator Richard Robert Osmer addresses these […]
Pastors and church leaders often assert that we can save our society and our churches if we restore family values in our culture. Think again! In this provacative book, Janet Fishburn challenges the church’s conventional practice of idolizing and revolving around the needs of the family unit. Fishburn asserts that the ‘family’ is not the […]
In a unique, full-scale study of congregational life, Hopewell shows that it is narrative-the oral tradition-that knits a congregation together. Reviews: ‘This book fills an important gap in the literature of practical theology. Practical theology needs to know how to describe situations, especially the empirical situation of the church. We will depend on Hopewell’s method […]
In Dreams Where Have You Gone? Clues for Unity and Hope, author William G. McAtee tells the story of the Union Presbytery Movement through interviews, records of oral accounts, and first-hand experience. McAtee shows how the Union Presbytery Movement came into being in 1969 and illustrates the events leading up to this. He explores the […]
Over 200 international scholars from a variety of denominations have contributed to this outstanding, one-volume, comprehensive, reference book. Stressing the importance of events, persons, and theological concepts that have been significant to the Reformed tradition, these articles provide authoritative summaries and stimulating discussion. From Library Journal: “This is a good one-volume encyclopedia of the Reformed […]
The result of going public with the church’s ministry is entertainment evangelism. One of the best examples of this kind of innovative, public church is Community Church of Joy, a Lutheran congregation that has five different kinds of worship services. Walt Kallestad explains how worship is integrated with evangelism and how the result of this […]
In this new book William E. Chapman explores the theological framework of the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Chapman, author of History and Theology in the Book of Order: Blood on Every Page, illustrates how theological implications can be overlooked when the Book of Order is viewed solely as a kind of operations manual. Well suited for […]
Schnase contends that sucessful congregations often have certain characteristics in common. These fundamental practices demonstrate congregational health, vitality, and fruitfulness. They also help churches fulfill their mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the tranformation of the world. The five practices of fruitful congregations: -Radical Hospitality -Passionate Worship -Intentional Faith Development -Risk-Taking Mission and […]
What is the central purpose of the church today? How can churches experience renewal through worship? In Gathered before God, Jane Rogers Vann answers these important questions by studying ten vibrant small, medium, and large churches. Her findings, she argues, show that worship is the most important thing churches do and is vital to the renewal […]
The General Assembly Council is the ministry and mission agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This overview shares stories of the ministries in which we are engaged around the world. This program also demonstrates how the General Assembly Council focuses its work around its mission statement and goals and shares how the GAC staff works […]