In this study, Derek Brown identifies patterns in Friends churches that have embraced a pastoral system, and he demonstrates how a Christ-centered Quaker pastoral theology might strengthen a church’s Quaker heritage while simultaneously increasing the effectiveness of its pastoral leadership.
As Friends seek to adapt to the needs of twenty-first-century America, they must enter into an ecclesiological conversation with their past practice, their present context, and their current condition. Consider this book a framework and guide for those discussions—the beginning of a journey.
|
|
|
|
Life at Fern Creek points toward simplicity, community, compassion, justice, gratitude, generosity, hope, humility, openness, faith, and integrity. The concepts hold such lofty and idyllic connotations when stored as words in the mind. But when connected to Willamette Valley dirt, the words become the underpinning for stories. Each shared life experience is a human-interest story. As Mark and Lisa chronicle life at Fern Creek, their convictions and commitments show through. Their narrative is actually about something more than growing produce for community-supported agriculture subscribers, it's about making choices that enhance life.
|
|
|
|
Enjoy the captivating saga of Dr. Charles and his wife Leora, missionaries to China and Taiwan. Their lives present an adventure story permeated by the message of God's protection and guidance.
|
|
|
|
Take a new look at the first Christmas. Through poetry see: the fulfillment of hope dating back to Genesis; the characters in the drama – Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, innkeepers, shepherds, magi, Anna, Simeon; the events and emotions; the significance.
|
|
|
|
This astonishing new collection from poet Bethany Lee weaves the thread of her keen attention around life’s joys and sorrows, draws them tightly together and offers them into our hands. With unflinching courage she extracts beauty from her journeys as seafarer and grief-tender, makes her way into the present moment, and invites us to come along.
Her musicality and mystic’s heart sing, and underneath these lines beats the steady pulse of love. The Breath Between offers good company for hard days, water for the thirsty spirit, and a summons to inhabit your own life more fully. You will not regret the time you spend in the chapel of these words.
|
|
|
|
Arthur O. Roberts illuminates the passion, struggles, and legacy of a man committed to authentic Christian living at a critical time in history. George Fox, desiring a kingdom of truth and love on this side of the flaming sword of Eden, led a seventeenth-century spiritual awakening that attracted thousands of people – people who became known as the Society of Friends (Quakers). Through Flaming Sword is both a spiritual biography of Fox and a closer look at Fox's legacy, particularly his thoughts on Christian holiness and the nature of the church. Today's restless pilgrims, troubled by the world and diligently trying to follow Jesus, will find in Fox a spirited companion for the journey.
|
|
|
|
|
There is no greater privilege in the Christian life than to serve as a spiritual leader within the body of Christ. Unfortunately, we are in the midst of a genuine crisis in the church today. Pastors and other spiritual leaders are leaving vocational ministry faster than we can replace them. This is due primarily to the crippling effects of burnout, a pastoral pathology resulting from a lethal combination of extraordinary job-related stress and woefully inadequate self-care. Most of us know someone experiencing burnout. They might be serving in your church right now, or more than likely, they may have recently left. They may be your friends; they may be part of your own family. So what is the cure? We find clues in the life of the prophet Elijah, in his practices of physical refreshment, spiritual renewal, and vocational realignment. And as you will see, when practiced on a regular basis these renewing rituals or rhythms of grace prove to be life-saving disciplines for spiritual leaders.
|
|
|
|
