Religious social and pastoral thought and activity Books

Innovative Catholicism and the Human Condition gives an anthropological account of a progressive religious movement in the Roman Catholic Church that is attempting to reconcile religious conviction and reason, and, ergo, modify the human condition...

The Zondervan 2024 Pastor's Annual--an annual bestselling resource for preachers by T. T. Crabtree--provides a planned preaching program for an entire year, including Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and midweek sermons, as well as helps for special...

How Can the Church Advance God’s Kingdom on Earth?Every successful organization must have the appropriate people and the right systems in place to effectively fulfill its mission. This statement is just as true for the Church. The only way it can...

Through this lively narrative of church history, readers will discover that the story of Christianity is an exhilarating adventure. Tucker's engaging writing style, informative historical overview, and selection of colorful characters are sure to attract...

Are You Called to Ministry?Those who are involved in full-time ministry often say they have been "called" to do what they do. But what does that mean? Who does the "calling," and how is it received?  In Prepare Them to Shepherd, pastor Brian...

In Sifted, based on Jesus' encouragement to Peter in Luke 22 to keep his faith and minister to others in his weakness, three veteran church leaders---Wayne Cordeiro, Francis Chan, and Larry Osborne---offer tested principles for long-term effectiveness...

To help pastors and other Christian leaders lovingly lead God's flock to Jesus Christ and fulfill his mission, Scott Thomas and Tom Wood present Gospel Coach, clarifying a process of coaching and shepherding that is rooted in the patterns of the Good...

The pursuit of radical faith---high commitment, high passion Christianity---has hidden dangers. In Accidental Pharisees, Larry Osborne explores nine of the most common temptations that can ensnare us on the road to a deeper life of faith and warns...

Drawing from culture, stories, and his own personal experience, John Sowers presents the desperate reality of fatherlessness in his generation. Fatherless Generation is a hard-hitting, descriptive look at this issue, showing how awareness, compassion,...

Mike Yaconelli composes his thoughts and passions regarding the nine core realities of youth ministry. This book unpacks The CORE training youth workers nationwide receive during Youth Specialties' one-day resource seminars.

Over the past few years, John Pavlovitz’s blog, Stuff That Needs To Be Said, has become a virtual hub for millions of people from all over the world, drawn there by his clear, compelling words on compassion, equity, love, and justice. This...

Packed full of ideas on how elders can become effective and caring representatives of their churches, The Caring Elder serves a dual purpose:A training tool in elder meetingsA reference guide for elders to use in personal studyElders need more...

It is now universally accepted that we are experiencing a profound mental health epidemic, and too often Christians have struggled to know how to respond. The need for the church to take mental health issues more seriously is urgent, and this is perhaps...

The Honest Guide to Church Planting is for those toiling in the trenches, those about to bail out, and those considering jumping into the work of planting churches. Tom Bennardo writes candidly of the challenges so planters and sending agencies can...

Faith-based organizations continue to play a significant role in the provision of social work services in many countries but their role within the welfare state is often contested. This text explores their various roles and relationships to social work...

Media, Religion and Gender presents a selection of eminent current scholarship that explores the role gender plays when religion, media use and values in contemporary society interact. The book:surveys the development of research on media, religion and...

What would theological reflection look like if scripture were the starting point?For many, beginning the process of formation the bible is already a natural starting point, and models of theological reflection which start in other places can be hard to...

Despite the explicit proclamation in John's Gospel of the 'Word made flesh' it is hard to preach such an esoteric Gospel in a way which offers something concrete, relevant and timely for congregations.Focused around the lectionary readings...

In How to Read Theology for All Its Worth, professor and author Karin Stetina introduces the basic skills for reading theological works with confidence and understanding.

According to Robert Rodes, liberation theology -- with its concern for the individual's to respond to building God's kingdom; its demand that Christians align themselves with the oppressed and work to reform or dismantle unjust social structures; and its...

Beauty in the Pulpit is a co-author anthology about real women in ministry who have endured hardship, rejection and abuse simply because they are both anointed and beautiful. As a beautiful woman whom God has chosen, don’t spend another moment on...

This book explores Christology through the lens of whiteness, addressing whiteness as a site of privilege and power within the specific context of Christology. It asks whether or not Jesus' life and work offers theological, religious and ethical...

In Bourgeois Babes, Bossy Wives, and Bobby Haircuts, author Michael Bird offers an engaging, incisive perspective on biblical gender equality and the egalitarian view---a preference for allowing women to hold teaching and leadership positions in ministry.

From Social Media to Social Ministry is the 21st-century playbook to help the Church fulfill the Great Commission in the digital age.

Even though the brokenness of the world may seem overwhelming, anyone with the courage to follow their passion and become a light--in their homes, communities, and churches--can bring real change. And when we all embrace our God-given gifts as...

In Washed and Waiting, Wesley Hill writes for gay Christians and those who love them. Part-memoir, part theological reflection, he shares the struggles that gay Christians face as they seek to live faithful to God's "no" to homosexuality. This updated...

In Serving a Movement, bestselling author and pastor Timothy Keller looks at the nature of the church's mission and ministry, examining what it means to have an integrative ministry that connects people to God, to one another, to the needs of the city,...

In How to Preach and Teach the Old Testament for All Its Worth Christopher J. H. Wright shows why and how we should preach from the Old Testament. Covering History, Law, Prophets, Psalms, and Wisdom Literature, combined with practical checklists,...

Written for leaders in any position of influence, Spiritual Leadership Today by Mel Lawrenz provides a baseline for 21st century Christian leadership that is rooted in key Scriptures and is illustrated by real-life examples.

The gospel is neither religion nor irreligion, but something else entirely---a third way of relating to God through grace. Bestselling author and pastor Timothy Keller addresses several current discussion and conflicts about the nature of the gospel and...