Concern for Church Renewal

Concern for Church Renewal
Author: Laura Schmidt Roberts
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 171
Release: 2022-03-31
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1725261006

From its first issue in 1954, CONCERN: A Pamphlet Series for Questions of Christian Renewal ran statements identifying it as an independent publication whose purpose was to stimulate study and discussion through intentional juxtaposition of viewpoints. What constitutes the church? Do existing structures engender or hinder the church's ever-present need for renewal? What approaches or formats might more effectively "structure" its renewal? CONCERN's Mennonite editorial board and the essays gathered here address these themes in reference to a Believers' Church or Anabaptist framework, reflecting differing viewpoints but a shared sense that community and discipleship are essential. Two contemporary responses reflect current iterations of these questions, which are shaped by pronounced concerns for the exercise of power within the community, and the role response to structural, systemic inequalities plays in discipleship.

Concern for Church Renewal

Concern for Church Renewal
Author: Laura Schmidt Roberts
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 182
Release: 2022-03-31
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1725260980

From its first issue in 1954, CONCERN: A Pamphlet Series for Questions of Christian Renewal ran statements identifying it as an independent publication whose purpose was to stimulate study and discussion through intentional juxtaposition of viewpoints. What constitutes the church? Do existing structures engender or hinder the church’s ever-present need for renewal? What approaches or formats might more effectively “structure” its renewal? CONCERN’s Mennonite editorial board and the essays gathered here address these themes in reference to a Believers’ Church or Anabaptist framework, reflecting differing viewpoints but a shared sense that community and discipleship are essential. Two contemporary responses reflect current iterations of these questions, which are shaped by pronounced concerns for the exercise of power within the community, and the role response to structural, systemic inequalities plays in discipleship.

What's the Matter with the Church?

What's the Matter with the Church?
Author: William Willis
Publisher: Hope Publishing House
Total Pages: 164
Release: 2005
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781932717075

This is a call to church renewal by a retired United Methodist minister with a Ph.D. in pastoral counseling. He looks at the matter--the heart--of the church and challenges those who care about the church to take the demands of their faith seriously as they work out what God wants from the faith community as it worships together, serves together and becomes knit into the Body of Christ here on earth.

The Future of the Church

The Future of the Church
Author: Francois C. Gerard
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 263
Release: 1974-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0915138018

Pittsburgh Theological Monograph Series General Editor - Dikran Y. Hadidian

Minding the Good Ground

Minding the Good Ground
Author: Professor of Theology Jason E Vickers
Publisher:
Total Pages: 151
Release: 2020-11-15
Genre:
ISBN: 9781481314923

Declining memberships. Pastoral scandals. A fear of secularism and the New Atheism. Christians are worried about the church's future. Despite such despair, Jason Vickers believes the church also sits upon the cusp of renewal. Some emerging voices promise to lead the church out of decay but focus only upon its structure, while others encourage the Spirit's work to the exclusion of all else. Minding the Good Ground organizes the multitude of voices and proposes a new way forward--rooting these renewal movements in a robust historical theology. Moving beyond quick-fix solutions, this new theological vision grounds renewal in the good and life-giving work of the Holy Spirit.

The Storied Church

The Storied Church
Author: Matthew Gorkos
Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishers
Total Pages: 167
Release: 2021-09-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1506470092

"The storied church focuses on church renewal that is born of the restorative, transformative, life-giving function that stories have for us as individuals and that can serve communities of faithful people. If stories help us survive as human creatures, why can't they help churches survive? This book is a tool to empower pastors and lay leaders to effect revitalizing change in their faith communites."--back cover.

God's Transforming Spirit

God's Transforming Spirit
Author: Preston Robert Washington
Publisher:
Total Pages: 143
Release: 1988
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780817011291

Washington addresses two serious questions that concern pastors - How do pastors and leaders confront the imminent death of their congregations and move quickly enough to seek renewal? How might a church develop in spite of faithful people who cling to their 'holy' past?Offering 'no pat plan in ten easy lessons, ' he talks about the importance of prayer discipline, dependence on the Holy Spirit for guidance, and helping members grow in discipleship. His ideas include a Vision Group for open forum discussion, sharing, and program planning.

Black and White

Black and White
Author: Teesha Hadra
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Total Pages: 201
Release: 2019-03-19
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1501879189

Working against racism is part of what it means to call Jesus Lord and Savior. Most of us don’t need to make speeches. We need to make friends. This is the core message of Black and White: racism can be disrupted by relationships. If you will risk forging friendships with those who do not look like you, it will change the way you see the world, and that could change the world. The authors, Teesha Hadra, a young African American woman, and John Hambrick, a sixty-year-old white man, bring a confident and redemptive tone to this hope because that is exactly what they’ve experienced. Black and White leverages their story, surrounding it with other’s stories, practical advice, and exploration of the systems of racism to motivate you to consider your own role in change. Learn about the various and often subtle ways racism continues to be a part of American culture. Discover how simple (albeit not always easy) it is to get involved in what God is doing to disrupt racism. Become equipped to take faithful, practical, next steps in obedience to God’s call to join the movement against racism. “Awareness creates discontent. A lack of awareness often results in complacency. When it comes to racism there’s no room for complacency. Especially for Christ followers. In Black & White my friends Teesha Hadra and John Hambrick stir our awareness. My hope—their hope—is that having become aware we will become permanently and passionately discontent with racism in all of its insidious forms and expressions.” —Andy Stanley, pastor and founder of North Point Community Church, author of Irresistible

The Renewal of the Heart Is the Mission of the Church

The Renewal of the Heart Is the Mission of the Church
Author: Gregory S Clapper
Publisher: Lutterworth Press
Total Pages: 149
Release: 2011-10-27
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0718843053

John Wesley has arguably influenced more American Christians than any other Protestant interpreter. One reason for this wide influence is that Wesley often spoke about the heart and its affections - that realm of life where all humans experience their deepest satisfactions, as well as some of their deepest conundrums. However, one of the problems of interpreting and appropriating Wesley is that we have been blinded to Wesley's actual views aboutJohn Wesley has arguably influenced more American Christiansthan any other Protestant interpreter. One reason for this wide influence is that Wesley often spoke about the heart and its affections - that realm of life where all humans experience their deepest satisfactions, as well as some of their deepest conundrums. However, one of the problems of interpreting and appropriating Wesley is that we have been blinded to Wesley's actual views about

The Joy of the Gospel

The Joy of the Gospel
Author: Pope Francis
Publisher: Image
Total Pages: 164
Release: 2014-10-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0553419544

The perfect gift! A specially priced, beautifully designed hardcover edition of The Joy of the Gospel with a foreword by Robert Barron and an afterword by James Martin, SJ. “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus… In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.” – Pope Francis This special edition of Pope Francis's popular message of hope explores themes that are important for believers in the 21st century. Examining the many obstacles to faith and what can be done to overcome those hurdles, he emphasizes the importance of service to God and all his creation. Advocating for “the homeless, the addicted, refugees, indigenous peoples, the elderly who are increasingly isolated and abandoned,” the Holy Father shows us how to respond to poverty and current economic challenges that affect us locally and globally. Ultimately, Pope Francis demonstrates how to develop a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ, “to recognize the traces of God’s Spirit in events great and small.” Profound in its insight, yet warm and accessible in its tone, The Joy of the Gospel is a call to action to live a life motivated by divine love and, in turn, to experience heaven on earth. Includes a foreword by Robert Barron, author of Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith and James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage