The Church and the Crisis of Community

The Church and the Crisis of Community
Author: Theresa F. Latini
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Total Pages: 252
Release: 2011
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0802865860

Contemporary society is in crisis, its structures broken and fragmented, and its people overstimulated, overstressed, and thirsty for true communion with the sacred and with one another. Yet although more than eighty-five percent of congregations in the United States conduct small-group ministry, too many of these groups begin with no clear sense of purpose, structure, or spiritual focus and end by veering away from Christian tradition and unknowingly settling for shallow versions of popular Christianity. In The Church and the Crisis of Community Theresa Latini lays out both a theoretical groundwork and a practical guideline for successful small-group ministry. Examining the latest sociological research and the real-life practices of small groups in six congregations, she shows how well-developed groups those with mission statements, leadership training, and solid organizational structure can be a truly effective tool in the church s work of transforming broken and shallow forms of community into life-giving, life-sustaining relationships with God and others.

Churches and the Crisis of Decline

Churches and the Crisis of Decline
Author: Andrew Root
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2022
Genre: Church
ISBN: 9781540965332

"Congregations often seek to combat decline by using innovation to produce new resources. Leading practical theologian Andrew Root shows that the church's crisis is not in the loss of resources but in the loss of life-and that life can only return when we remain open to God's encountering presence"--

Church and Community in Crisis

Church and Community in Crisis
Author: J. Andrew Overman
Publisher: A&C Black
Total Pages: 462
Release: 1996-05-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781563381010

Shows how Matthew's Gospel was shaped by and in response to local regional tensions within Jewish society and culture in the post-70 C.E. period in Palestine.

The Brazilian Popular Church and the Crisis of Modernity

The Brazilian Popular Church and the Crisis of Modernity
Author: Manuel A. Vasquez
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 332
Release: 1998
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780521585088

This 1997 study explores one of the most dramatic current interactions between religion and politics: the development of progressive Catholicism in Latin America. In particular, it examines economic, social and religious obstacles to progressive theology in Brazil. This 'popular' church built a utopian vision of social emancipation, drawing on Catholic social thought, humanistic Marxism and existentialism. It was a major democratizing force as Brazil emerged from dictatorship in the late 1970s. In the 1980s, however, the popular appeal of progressive Catholicism came under threat. Focusing on a Catholic community near Rio de Janeiro, Manuel A. Vásquez's incisive study shows how economic and political changes have affected religious practices, and argues that the plight of progressive Catholicism in Brazil forms part of a wider crisis of modernity and of humanist discourses.

Crisis and Challenge in the Roman Catholic Church

Crisis and Challenge in the Roman Catholic Church
Author: Debra Meyers
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 269
Release: 2020-07-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1793604924

This volume explores the historical, theological, sociological, and ethical dimensions of the current issues threatening the two thousand-year-old Roman Catholic Church. The interdisciplinary analysis contained within the volume exposes the destructive convictions and actions of the Roman Catholic clergy that has produced the current institutional crisis while suggesting options for moving forward. Documenting the cases that constitute the many crises currently surrounding Catholicism, the volume aims to provide clarity and conscience. At the same time, with a constructive vision of an ethics and religious practice rooted in integrity and transparency, the authors offer a path towards holistic and holy reformation by and for Catholics.

Crisis and Emergency Management and Preparedness for the African-American Church Community

Crisis and Emergency Management and Preparedness for the African-American Church Community
Author: George O'Neil Urquhart
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 139
Release: 2014-07-24
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1625642407

In these challenging times, the resident population served by the predominantly African-American church demands and deserves specific attention in order to preserve the uniquely cohesive nature of the African-American community. While this work is specifically focused on one local church community, there is a shared hope among church members, clergy, civic and lay professionals, and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology that this project will serve as a model for success beyond its local audience. This work was conceived to help mitigate growing environmental and social concerns beyond traditional emergencies--such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, severe weather, and power outages--imposed upon communities already strained by economic and social inequities. This book is designed to provide guidance on crisis and emergency preparedness by offering an example of how a church or similar institution may undertake the task of setting up an appropriate emergency planning structure for its congregation and community.

Calvin and Luther: The Continuing Relationship

Calvin and Luther: The Continuing Relationship
Author: R. Ward Holder
Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht
Total Pages: 237
Release: 2013-09-18
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 3647550574

The reforms begun by Luther and Calvin became two of the largest and most influential movements to arise in the sixteenth century, but frequently, these two movements are seen and defined as polar opposites – one's theology is Reformed or Lutheran, one is a member of a Reformed or Lutheran congregation. Historically, these were two very separate movements – but more remains to be understood that can best be analyzed in the context of the other.Just as surely as the historical question of the boundaries between Calvin and Luther, or Lutheranism and Calvinism must be answered with a resounding yes, the ongoing doctrinal questions offer a different picture. In the more systematic doctrinal articles, an argument is forwarded that the broad confessional continuity between Luther and Calvin on the soteriological theme of union with Christ offers still-unexplored avenues to both deeper understandings of soteriology. Through such articles, we begin to see the possibility of a rapprochement between Calvin and Luther as sources, though not as historical figures. But that insight allows the conversation to extend, and bear far greater fruit.Contributors are, J.T. Billings, Ch. Helmer , H.P. Jürgens, S.C. Karant-Nunn, R. Kolb, Th.F. Latini, G.S. Pak, J. Watt, T.J. Wengert, P. Westermeyer, and D.M. Whitford.

Helping a Neighbor in Crisis

Helping a Neighbor in Crisis
Author: Lisa Barnes Lampman
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Total Pages: 356
Release: 1999
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780842336086

Helping a Neighbor in Crisis addresses a problem many readers encounter: How can I help a friend or loved one who is experiencing a crisis situation? This practical reference book gives tips on how to understand the feelings your “neighbor” is experiencing and practical advice on how to help and encourage. All sections are written from a Christian point of view and include applicable Scripture, a prayer, and recommended reading for further study and encouragement. Over 30 crisis situations are addressed, including “Death of a Loved One,” “Burglary and Theft,” “Divorce,” “Substance Abuse,” “Domestic Violence,” and “Unemployment.”

The Crisis

The Crisis
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 64
Release: 2003-09
Genre:
ISBN:

The Crisis, founded by W.E.B. Du Bois as the official publication of the NAACP, is a journal of civil rights, history, politics, and culture and seeks to educate and challenge its readers about issues that continue to plague African Americans and other communities of color. For nearly 100 years, The Crisis has been the magazine of opinion and thought leaders, decision makers, peacemakers and justice seekers. It has chronicled, informed, educated, entertained and, in many instances, set the economic, political and social agenda for our nation and its multi-ethnic citizens.