Turning Controversy Into Church Ministry

One of the most volatile issues facing the Western Church is also one of the least discussed: homosexuality. Many pastors, church members, and congregations have become tired of the debate surrounding this topic but do not really understand the issues. Pulling away from this controversy doesn’t seem to help; it keeps cropping up.Ninety percent of pastors are aware of members or visitors to their churches who struggle with homosexual tendencies, and the same percentage of churchgoers know a relative or friend who wrestles with this concern. The media, school systems, and nearly every sector of society will challenge Christians to give a reasoned response to the escalating gay agenda. For twenty-five years W. P. Campbell has studied and debated this topic as it relates to Christ’s Church. He has come to the conclusion that it will not go away in our generation, but it can be coaxed to find its proper place in any congregation when it is tackled with a firm but loving grip. Homosexuality in the Church is a guidebook to help Christians and whole congregations do just that. It faces the heart of the controversy with the love and compassion of Christ and turns it into effective ministry.Framed by the most significant biblical passages related to homosexuality and supported by science, psychology and sociology, each of the five parts of the book unfold a unique aspect of God’s person and purpose. As our Creator, he has made us to be whole; as our King he has provided laws and guidelines to help us remain that way; as our Redeemer, his power can save us from sin; as our Guide, his light will guide us out; as our Strength, he will make our ministry effective.As a resource for the church today, this book will: • Provide readers with a comprehensive overview of the biblical data about homosexuality • Inform readers about current scientific, psychological, and cultural findings related to same-sex practice • Teach readers Christ-like responses to gay rights activists in the Church and help them to know how to avoid extreme stances about homosexuals and the Church that result in alienating others or in supporting sexual sin • Offer guidelines and tools to church leaders for mobilizing a congregation to study this topic and to engage in ministry to recovering homosexuals

Our journey in Christian ethics starts with God in whose image we are created. Creation begins with birth and continues as we mature. Our character matures, shaped by the example of Christ under the mentorship of the Holy Spirit through the family and the church. Christian leaders reach full maturity once they able to mentor others—we are blessed to be a blessing. Living in Christ focuses on explaining, not justifying, Christian ethics. At a time and in a place where people scoff at developing a theological understanding of their faith and refuse to teach Christian morality, ethics is almost a lost art. At the heart of the ethical dilemma is a tension between theological principles that can only be resolved the guidance of the Holy Spirit. How do you practice forgiveness for sinners who refuse to confess their sin and force you to bear its consequences? In this context, ethics is less a philosophical discipline that a recognition of our own limitations as Christians and the need for divine intervention. Ethical thought and action always involve interpretation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is thus ironic that a book on Christian living should have an outward focus on God rather than an inward focus on what to do and not do. This interpretative element colors how we view character formation, the community of faith, leadership, and the many special issues that arise in daily life. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy!

Dwelling in the Land considers what it means for Christians, who are attracted to other members of the same sex, to live fully under the lordship of Christ. Author Jeanette Howard, believes that homosexuality is not part of God's plan for His world, and has chosen to remain celibate despite experiencing same-sex attraction. She has come to believe that to identify herself as 'gay' does not do justice to what God has been doing in her life. Instead of being identified by your sexuality, as a Christian you are identified by the fact that you belong to Christ. Some gay Christians have sought healing. Others have turned away from a conservative interpretation of the biblical texts. Others have remained celibate and invested their lives in Christian service. All have found that their sexual orientation has strongly influenced who they perceive themselves to be, and how others perceive them. Allowing God to dismantle your false identity permits you to live out of your authentic self. As you grow in Christ you are able to perceive true goodness and health; you rid yourself of old habits of thinking; you learn to recognise what is holding others back; and discover new areas of ministry. You do not have to accept the labels that the world ' and the church ' attach to you.

Offers practical guidance for Christians who have gay friends, family members, or who struggle with their own sexuality.

Discover and fulfill your God-given purpose by joining the more than thirty-five million others who have embarked on a spiritual journey that started with this #1 New York Times bestselling book by Pastor Rick Warren. Before you were born, God knew what your life had in store for you. His hope for you is to discover the life he created just for you--both here on earth, and forever in eternity. Let Rick Warren guide you as you learn to live out your true purpose. The Purpose Driven Life is more than a book; it's a road map for your spiritual journey. Combining thoughtful verses from Scripture with timely stories and perspectives from Warren's own life, The Purpose Driven Life will help you discover the answer to one of life's most important questions: What on earth am I here for? Throughout The Purpose Driven Life, Warren will teach you to spend time getting to know yourself and your creator in order to live your life to the fullest. Unlocking your true purpose will also reduce your stress, simplify your decisions, increase your satisfaction, and, most importantly, prepare you for eternity. Designed to be read over the course of forty-two days, The Purpose Driven Life will help you see the big picture, giving you a fresh perspective on the way that the pieces of your life fit together. Every chapter of The Purpose Driven Life provides a daily meditation and practical steps to help you uncover and live out your purpose, starting with exploring three essential questions: The Question of Existence: Why am I alive? The Question of Significance: Does my life matter? The Question of Purpose: What on earth am I here for? Each copy of The Purpose Driven Life also includes thoughtful discussion questions, audio Bible studies that go along with every chapter, and access to a supportive online community, giving you the opportunity to dive even deeper into each life-changing lesson.

Arranged in chronological order so that the Baptist saga can be understood as a continuous narrative, the book has the added advantage of permitting the reader to cherry-pick chapters that are of particular interest. The Baptist struggles for freedom of conscience, for a believer's church, for including both genders and all races, for fulfilling the Great Commission, and for the separation of church and state--these are only a few of the denominational-shaping turning points one discovers in this book.

Discover practical advice on resolving conflicts and dealing with crises within the church---and learn how to turn each situation into an opportunity for grace. In this hope-filled book, experts Barthel and Edling take you through the Acts 15 model of approaching dissension in order to provide a clear, godly way forward to redemptive reconciliation. 204 pages, softcover from Hendrickson.

This volume contains the proceedings of an international conference entitled Lay Bibles in Europe 1450-1800. The conference took place in Amsterdam in April 2004 and was organized by Biblia sacra, a joint Dutch-Flemish research group. The clamor for Bibles in the vernacular flourished within lay renewal movements of the late 14th century, including groups like the Brethren and Sisters of the Common Life. In the early 16th century, humanists like Erasmus and Lefvre d'taples stimulated vernacular Bible reading. As the Protestant Reformation became established, lay Bibles were produced on a large scale. In reaction to this development, Catholic theologians issued 'orthodox' Bible translations in various vernaculars based on the Vulgate. In sum, from the 15th to the 18th century, editions from various confessional or ideological backgrounds appeared throughout Western Europe. Of course, the invention and spread of the printing press greatly enhanced the distribution of these editions. The essays collected in this volume approach Lay Bibles in Europe 1450-1800 from various perspectives, including the history of books, art history and church history.