Stepping Stones Of The Steward

This is a print on demand book and is therefore non- returnable. Taking the images of "journey" and "steward" as metaphors for the Christian's life, and using parables of Jesus found in Matthew and Luke, Ronald Vallet helps focus a truly biblical understanding of the term steward and the role of believers as earthly caretakers, neighbors, and responsible servants of God. Written to inform and encourage pastors and laypersons who seek to explore new dimensions in their Christian journey, Vallet's inspirational study teaches Christians how to gain a sense of purpose, how to properly use their resources, talents, and money, and how to reach out with compassion for the welfare of others and for the planet. This revised and enlarged edition includes important new discussions in the areas of faith and money and environmental issues. M. Douglas Meeks has written the foreword, and a new epilogue by Vallet explores the mission funding crisis of the church in North America, the changing views on both the church and its mission, and the important role played by theological education. Thought-provoking questions and suggestions for further reflection follow each chapter, and a study guide outlines ways to adapt this volume to adult and youth church and school classes, planning groups, conferences, and small-group settings.

The Steward Living in Covenant discusses the theme of stewardship from a fruitful new perspective. Ronald Vallet explores Old Testament stories from creation to Isaiah, linking the life of the steward to the theme of covenant -- a first for books in this area. Written as an Old Testament parallel to Vallet's acclaimed Stepping Stones of the Steward, this book reclaims the Old Testament foundations of a fully biblical theology of stewardship. Vallet looks especially at the promise and command aspects of God's covenant with his people as a vital dimension of what it means to be a genuine steward.

The most vital question confronting the church in North America at the turn of the century is whether it can, in the face of the myriad distractions of modern society, remember who it is, what it is called to do, and, especially, whose it is. In this volume Ronald Vallet explores the biblical basis for stewardship, with major emphasis on God's promises and commands, to help congregations become the households of God that he intends them to be. Vallet also discusses several church-related issues that affect the life and practices of congregations today. He deals with fantasies and fears about money in the congregation, shows the central role that authentic worship plays in focusing congregations on God, examines the proper roles of pastors and laity, and considers the prevailing concepts and practices of modern culture that can entangle today's churches. Vallet's work provides an insightful map for churches as they confront the confusing crossroads of life in our world.

This volume focuses on hospitality as a theoretically and historically crucial phenomenon in Shakespeare's work with ramifications for contemporary thought and practice. Drawing a multifaceted picture of Shakespeare's scenes of hospitality—with their numerous scenes of greeting, feeding, entertaining, and sheltering—the collection demonstrates how hospitality provides a compelling frame for the core ethical, political, theological, and ecological questions of Shakespeare's time and our own. By reading Shakespeare's plays in conjunction with contemporary theory as well as early modern texts and objects—including almanacs, recipe books, husbandry manuals, and religious tracts — this book reimagines Shakespeare's playworld as one charged with the risks of hosting (rape and seduction, war and betrayal, enchantment and disenchantment) and the limits of generosity (how much can or should one give the guest, with what attitude or comportment, and under what circumstances?). This substantial volume maps the terrain of Shakespearean hospitality in its rich complexity, demonstrating the importance of historical, rhetorical, and phenomenological approaches to this diverse subject.

These helpful essays have been grouped into topical categories ranging from basic concepts of stewardship to parish and personal issues in stewardship, as well as an exploration of stewardship of time and talent, and finally a look at stewardship of treasure. An altogether helpful resource for anyone involved in making stewardship a reality in the life of the church.

Comprising the study, documentation, and comparison of plant-level workers’ participation around the world, this volume meets the challenge of offering a global perspective on workers’ participation, representation, and models of social partnership. Value chains, economic life, inter-cultural exchange and knowledge, as well as the mobility of persons and ideas increasingly cross the borders of nation-states. In the knowledge age, the active participation of workers in organizations is crucially important for sustainable and long-term growth and innovation. This handbook offers lessons from historical, global accounts of workers’ participation at plant level, even as it looks forward to predict forthcoming trends in participation.