Sensitive Preaching to the Sexually Hurting

Sensitive Preaching to the Sexually Hurting
Author: Sam Serio
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2016-07-27
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0825444179

Today's church has sadly failed to minister to men and women deeply affected by porn, abortion, rape, casual sex, a sexless marriage, same-sex attraction, or childhood sexual abuse. Church leaders know these broken people sit in their pews. What they don't know is what to say to them. Those who would speak out directly from the pulpit worry that they will be unwise or insensitive, whatever their intent to the contrary. They may even fear being fired and losing their ministry altogether. The truth is that seminary curriculums rarely prepare preachers to talk about sex in their sermons. Despite the pervasiveness of sexual wounds in the church, preachers tend to either ignore them and say nothing or abhor them without nuance and condemn. Sam Serio posits a powerful and necessary middle ground: preaching that offers forgiveness, transformation, and restoration. Sensitive Preaching to the Sexually Hurting is a ready-to-use resource written from a preaching perspective. Serio examines the causes and consequences of the seven most difficult sexual issues of today. Moreover, he provides appropriate wording to use in crafting sermons, along with corresponding Scripture texts. He examines how preachers can prepare their churches, their hearts, and their sermons for the topic, and how these can all work together to build a healthier future for their congregations and the wider church body.

Telling the Truth

Telling the Truth
Author: John S. McClure
Publisher: John McClure
Total Pages: 180
Release: 1998
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 9780829812824

Every congregation in North America has victims, survivors, and perpetrators of violence in its midst. Many in the church, while supporting marital and family connections, do not know how to address abuse. Many ministers are searching for theological and ethical perspectives with which to frame an effective pulpit, teaching, and pastoral ministry.Telling the Truth assembles the wisdom of experts from across disciplines and denominations. Biblical and theological issues are analyzed by Johanna Van Wijk-Bos, Shawn Copeland, and Wendy Farley. Pastoral resources are presented by Marie M. Fortune, James Poling, Nancy Ramsay, and David Goatley. Preaching strategies are discussed by Barbara Patterson and John S. McClure. Four sermons are also included to provide effective models for ministering against sexual and domestic violence.

The Long Journey Home

The Long Journey Home
Author: Andrew J. Schmutzer
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 681
Release: 2011-10-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1621893278

Maybe the only thing new about sexual abuse is quality discussion from several professions (psychology, theology, and pastoral care). Here are the insights of over two dozen psychologists, theologians, and those in pastoral care, all targeting the issue of sexual abuse. Designed as a resource for Christian educators, therapists, pastors, social workers, group leaders, and survivors, The Long Journey Home combines current research in mental health with rich theological reflection, global concern with fervent pastoral wisdom for the local faith community. Whether you are a counselor, professor, pastor, or spouse of a survivor, you hold in your hand a fresh resource of information and advocacy for those suffering from the devastating effects of sexual abuse and rape. The breadth of material, biblical insight, discussion questions, and helpful resources gathered here just may be the tool of a generation.

Refiner's Fire

Refiner's Fire
Author: Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan
Publisher: Fortress Press
Total Pages: 228
Release: 2001
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780800632533

What does religion have to do with fomenting or transcending violence? In this fascinating work, Kirk-Duggan documents and analyzes religion's involvement in violence, for good and ill, in the Bible, slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, and the youth scene of today.

Starting a Seeker Sensitive Service

Starting a Seeker Sensitive Service
Author: Ed Dobson
Publisher: Zondervan
Total Pages: 164
Release: 1993
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780310384816

This is a book about radical change. It is the story of how a traditional church launched a non-traditional service in order to open its doors to unchurched people. This book has grown out of five years of ministry to hurting people who are either skeptics, agnostics, or doubters of the Christian faith. It has been shaped by people who do not give much of a rip about God or the Bible, but they are at least willing to listen. It is a book about what I have learned from these fellow travelers in the adventure of life.

The Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon on the Mount
Author: R. Kent Hughes
Publisher: Crossway
Total Pages: 378
Release: 2013-04-30
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1433536242

The three chapters of Matthew known as the Sermon on the Mount contain truths so rich and powerful that even a lifetime of study could not exhaust their depths. For centuries, Jesus’s majestic portrait of the kingdom of heaven and his unparalleled instructions for godliness have captivated Christians and non-Christians alike. In this classic commentary, now revised with a fresh look and ESV Bible references, seasoned pastor R. Kent Hughes guides readers through this glorious portion of the Bible with exegetical precision, expositional clarity, and practical sensitivity. Whether used by preachers, small group leaders, or individual laypersons, this resource will prove invaluable for illuminating the Sermon on the Mount’s enduring power to enliven hearts and transform minds. Part of the Preaching the Word series.

Preaching the Whole Counsel of God

Preaching the Whole Counsel of God
Author: Julius Kim
Publisher: Zondervan Academic
Total Pages: 240
Release: 2015-11-17
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0310519640

Preaching the Whole Counsel of God is a primary textbook on the art and science of preaching for pastors and pastors-in-training that teaches you how to practice expository, Christ-focused hermeneutics, combined with Gospel-centered, audience-transforming homiletics. It will guide you to: Discover the truth of the text according to the human author. Discern Christ in the text according to the divine author. Design your sermon with truth, goodness, and beauty. Deliver your sermon in a way that keeps attention, retention, and leads to transformation.

Counseling the Hard Cases

Counseling the Hard Cases
Author: Stuart Scott
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2012
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1433672227

Real life stories from the counseling and medical field about the sufficiency of God's resources in Scripture to bring help, hope, and healing to difficult psychiatric diagnoses from bipolar and obsessive compulsive disorders to postpartum depression, panic attacks, etc.

Torn

Torn
Author: Justin Lee
Publisher: Jericho Books
Total Pages: 277
Release: 2012-11-13
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1455514322

An evangelical Christian examines the impact of sexuality, the LGBTQ+ movement, and the future of the church in this thoughtful, deeply researched guide to navigating and mending the social and political division in our families and churches. As a teenager and young man, Justin Lee felt deeply torn. Nicknamed "God Boy" by his peers, he knew that he was called to a life in the evangelical Christian ministry. But Lee harbored a secret: He also knew that he was gay. In this groundbreaking book, Lee recalls the events--his coming out to his parents, his experiences with the "ex-gay" movement, and his in-depth study of the Bible--that led him, eventually, to self-acceptance. But more than just a memoir, TORN provides insightful, practical guidance for all committed Christians who wonder how to relate to gay friends or family members--or who struggle with their own sexuality. Convinced that "in a culture that sees gays and Christians as enemies, gay Christians are in a unique position to bring peace," Lee demonstrates that people of faith on both sides of the debate can respect, learn from, and love one another.

Lectionary Preaching Workbook

Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Author: Russell F. Anderson
Publisher: CSS Publishing
Total Pages: 356
Release: 1996
Genre: Bible
ISBN: 0788008218

The busy preacher will find a multitude of ideas, illustrations, and sermon seeds for all the lectionary lessons. Anderson's commentaries for the Revised Common and Catholic lectionaries are accompanied by theological reflections exploring the relationships between the texts, a suggested sermon title for each week, Sermon Angles which briefly develop the theological themes for the day, and two to four illustrative stories per chapter. Other convenient features include wide margins for taking notes and a stay-flat binding.