While thorough and scholarly, Dr. Richard H. Warneck's Pastoral Ministry: Theology and Practice is insightful and practical. He not only speaks to the many challenges faced by pastors, but also presents the theological foundation of pastoral ministry in such a way as to inspire and restore the vision of parish ministry for pastors and their congregations.
Hana's life is on pause. She's between homes, between jobs, between a rock and a hard place. She and Isaac, her son with special needs, are running from a painful past, and she's looking to the future with not much hope. And then she meets Pastor Matthew Schofield.Matt loves his books, his writing, and his small Oklahoma congregation. His life is studious and predictable, just the way he likes it. When he meets Hana and Isaac, who are anything but predictable, his world is forever changed. As Matt forms a surprising bond with Isaac, Hana is challenged to view God and His promises in a whole new light.Thoughtful and eloquent, Loving Isaac is a story of compassion and trust that will renew your faith in the power of God to work change in both big and small ways.
Over the course of history, many critics have attacked Martin Luther and brought many false claims against him. Defending Luther's Reformation directly addresses those controversial views of Luther, and equips readers to defend the existence of Lutheranism as a confession, dealing with both the successes and failures of the Lutheran Reformation.Defending Luther's Reformation will prove a valuable resource for Lutheran pastors, teachers, and students as well as those simply interested in history and the Reformation.
Lutheranism 101: Lutheran Worship examines what Scripture and the Confessions have to say about the life-giving blessing given by God to the Church: a miracle in bread and wine established by Jesus Christ. In the final book in the Lutheranism 101 series, the author focuses on the Divine Service in the Lutheran church, the history of God calling His people to worship, and the importance of daily worship. The Lutheranism 101 series examines Lutheran beliefs and heritage in a fresh way. For lifelong Lutherans searching for more information, and for those new to Lutheranism looking for a better understanding of what Lutherans believe, the Lutheranism 101 series is your guide.
This updated edition presents a thoughtful look at the role of the Lutheran Confessions among the various Lutheran church bodies in North America, including a new chapter on how the Confessions are interpreted and applied and a timeline of American Lutheranism. This book explains and interprets the history of Lutheran confession in America during the past two centuries and explores how Lutherans have grappled with the theological heritage of their confessional writings within an American cultural setting. It examines models Lutherans have used to allow their confessional documents to speak to the contemporary scene. An awareness of this history should help Lutheransfind their identity in the spiritual pluralism of todayprovide direction for navigating "through the various winds and storms of contemporary ideologies, theologies, and relativisms of post-modernity"help prevent absorption by the alluring cultural currents that wreak havoc with identity and with Christianity in any form
We are all too familiar with the same old human pitfall: we rush after the desires of our hearts and worship ourselves instead of Jesus Christ. And yet, the dangers of inward idolatry are a neglected topic in Western theology.Without God's First-Commandment-focused Law, we would never truly know the depth of our spiritual disease. Anything we fear, love, or trust more than the true God is, plain and simple, our god.Drawing upon Martin Luther's key insights on the theology of idolatry, The Unholy Trinity unmasks contemporary idol worship and its futility. Luther's unparalleled ability to get to the heart of human sin helps us see through the lie of self-sufficiency. Only when walls of man-made security are broken down can we hear the Gospel as good news-by grace, God gives us every good thing we vainly try to provide for ourselves.
Outcast. Radical. Countercultural.Does standing out in the crowd ever leave you speechless?Like in St. Paul's day, the church around the world-and particularly in America-now frequently faces hostility at the first mention of "homosexuality" in casual conversations or public square debates.Author Matthew Rueger openly embraces this hot topic, giving you a framework for defending your beliefs by first exploring the relationship between sexual sin in ancient history and twenty-first century tangles of the same flavor. Topics such as temptation, promiscuity, marriage, homosexuality, natural law, and the church's role in it all swirl together to reveal our unifying need for a Savior. Rueger writes compassionately with a father's heart and adamantly with a fierce determination to outline the truth about sexual morality from a reasoned Christian perspective.We need to expect the unpleasant from our opponents, arm ourselves with answers to common objections, and speak in clarity and love. And let's not lose sight of the church as a place of refuge for those who are battered down by their desires. Real people with real struggles are being lost.Find your voice!
What lies ahead?Maybe you're about to start a new job. Maybe an important relationship is changing. But guess what? God doesn't change, and neither does what He did for you in Christ.These fifty-two devotions, written by father-son duo Ed and Aaron Grube, cover the gamut of life's issues, includingadjusting to life changes;dealing with anxiety;staying connected to God through the Bible and prayer;finding contentment and value in your vocation; andcoping with crisis.Arranged topically for easy reference, each devotion reflection includes a short story or real-life example from one of the authors and scriptural applications.
You have tough questions about the Bible. Maybe you've even heard things like, "The Bible is racist." Or, "The Bible has too many errors and edits." Or, "The Bible is merely a mythological story like Homer's Odyssey." Why Should I Trust the Bible? tackles accusations like those head-on. Pastor and author A. Trevor Sutton compares the Bible to writings that have been deemed more credible than the Bible, like the Book of Mormon, encyclopedias, and even Shakespeare's works. He tests the Bible using the same rigorous standards that have been used to test those other writings. He examines historical evidence, witness accounts, and translation concerns. By the end, readers will get many of their tought questions answered. Readers will be better able to defend their faith when its very foundation is attacked. And readers will see that when all other texts fall, the Bible still stands, as completely, undeniably trustworthy.
Breaking through the noise of our hyper-sexualized Western culture, Ethics of Sex is a much-needed, masterful compilation that speaks to the nature of Christian sexual ethics as simultaneously positive and prohibitive. Ten distinct yet interrelated essays invite us back to a way of life in harmony with the Lord's created order, an order that bears fruit in intimacy, compassion, love, and joy.Embrace the wisdom and counsel of these words, reminding all that Jesus' love for His Church forgives sexual sin and restores His people to fellowship in the kingdom of heaven-young or old, married or single. Our identity remains in Christ.Essay topics include:Male and female sex differences Marriage Polygamy ContraceptionSex education Self-pollutionHomosexuality Transgenderism
Light from Above provides the "big picture" of the Bible, bringing coherence and clarity to its various teachings. It offers a clear, succinct presentation in everyday language. Perfect for: - Individual study - Making connections between Scriptural teaching and the daily life of a Christian - Adult instruction classes - Bible studies - Refresher courses on Christian doctrine
Seasoned ministry leaders know that volunteers are hard to find. Parents are often busy and stressed. Youth workers get confused and burnt out. It's easy to be discouraged by or question the impact of your church's children's ministry!Cynthia Brown, author of Energizing Your Children's Ministry, deeply understands the eternal significance of children's ministry. That's why she gathered her vast experience (over 40 years in children's ministry) and personal anecdotes into a practical tool for church workers and volunteers who are passionate about outreach to God's littlest disciples.She starts with the foundational understanding that re-evaluating your children's ministry is as basic as your ABCDs: assess your church's needs, build relationships, create a leadership team, and then define the focus.These crucial steps are key in creating and leading children's programs that inspire and educate children and their families.So whether you teach Sunday school, VBS, preschool, or another children's ministry, this inspiring book will encourage you to intentionally and prayerfully reach children with the Good News of the Gospel.
The Message worth dying for . . .The government tells fifteen-year-old Simon Clay everything he needs to know. Except what really happened to his mom. And why no one can go out at night. And why the Darkness is so dangerous.By day, Simon pushes against every boundary there is. And by night, secret visitors and hidden messages make him question everything his life entails.There's a truth out there to be discovered, a truth the government will stop at nothing to stamp out. Join Simon and the Messengers as they risk their lives to protect it.Book one of The Messengers Series.
Does God hate me for getting a divorce?A survival guide for Christians who are navigating the minefield of divorce. Author Donna Pyle has been through it. She knows what it's like, dealing with the anger, struggling with the idea of forgiveness. From a firm biblical standpoint, she gives clear steps on how to deal with the trauma and grief, helping readers understand that though they are wounded, they are not defeated.Includes questions for reflection, prayer outlines, and journal prompts.
You're standing on a bridge that extends into an unknown destination. As a Lutheran educator, your vocation is an exhilarating mix of steady theology and shifting cultural trends. Talk about an age-old challenge! Each new generation of Lutheran educators creatively confronts the collision of God's Word with a changing world. This is by no means an easy task, but it matters to the Church eternally.And so it's with humility and a teachable spirit that educators like you often tap into the wisdom of teachers past and present. From sixteenth-century reformers to colleagues across the hall, fellow sojourners fuel, inform, and shape your passion for top-notch Lutheran education.That's why The Pedagogy of Faith: Essays on Lutheran Education offers a one-of-a-kind gift to our teaching community in the twenty-first century. Never before has there been a more diverse collection of authors and topics distilled into a single text on Lutheran education. The authors-theologians, professors, DCEs, school staff, missionaries, parents, and more-collectively represent hundreds of years in the educational arena.This book is not a blueprint but rather a starting point for your own thoughts, prayers, and reflections. "Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses . . . let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1 ESV).
When children are in their early elementary school years, their minds are actually at the peak time for easy rote memorization. And yet, many Protestant churches begin formal confirmation instruction years after this formative period. What are the effects of this lapse in time? Too often, young teens fall away from their church after confirmation-a trend that will hurt future generations of families.After assessing current trends in the faith development of youth, Dr. David Rueter wrote Teaching the Faith at Home: What Does This Mean? How Is This Done? to reveal why the historic model of teaching the catechism early in the home is key in keeping families connected to the Church. Part 1 focuses on laying a foundation for understanding the history, purpose, and theological reasons for catechesis. And Part 2 is a very practical look at strategies and models for catechetical instruction that can be shared at church and used in the home.Catechesis that's grounded in family life is not a new idea, but it's one that our fast-paced culture often forgets and would do well to remember and cherish.
The exercises in this workbook reproduce the exercises in the chapters of Fundamental Biblical Hebrew. More space is provided for writing out the exercises. The chapter summaries from the textbook are included at the end of this workbook. In addition, at the end of each chapter's exercises are supplementary exercises. Two principles will be apparent to anyone using these supplementary exercises:1) The supplementary exercises require students to reproduce basic Hebrew forms, including forms of weak verbs, as an aid to learning the basics of Hebrew morphology.2) This workbook emphasizes reading actual Biblical Hebrew as an aid to learning syntax. The texts reproduced are exactly as they appear in the Hebrew books of the Old Testament.
These essays define a Lutheran approach and understanding of the Gospel. The book is divided into three sections (previously published as separate volumes).Section 1 includes essays on Jesus Christ, the theology of the cross, and church and confession.Section 2 offers essays on the Sacraments.Section 3 presents writings on the Church, the Holy Spirit, ministry, last things, and more.
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