Creative Ministry

Author: Henri J. M. Nouwen
Publisher: Image
ISBN: 0804152063
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 146

Book Description
According to Henri Nouwen, the bestselling spiritual writer, every Christian is a minister—trying to live his life in the light of the Gospel. Creative Ministry is a thoughtful examination of the various complex tasks that are part of that way of life.Separate chapters treat each of the five areas that Nouwen considers the primary responsibilities of the minister: teaching, preaching, counseling, organizing, and celebrating. He shows how these main functions are inextricably tied to the minister’s spiritual life and why they must be directed toward a creative dialogue with other Christians if they are to be rewarding. It is also essential, he maintains, that the minister leave himself open, take risks, and “lay down his life for his friends” in order to give new life.“There is today a great hunger for a new spirituality,” observes Nouwen, a hunger that requires new and creative forms of ministry. Citing numerous examples from his rich experience, the author offers practical advice for infusing daily pastoral work with meaning. The result is an insightful presentation and a resonant spiritual guide for every man and woman who wants to be of service.

Arts Ministry

Author: Michael J. Bauer
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 0802869289
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 352

Book Description
First United Methodist Church in Augusta, Georgia, gives concerts to raise money for local service organizations. Trinity Lutheran Church in Mission, Kansas, has been sponsoring a religious art show for more than twenty-five years. Fellowship Lutheran Church runs a Christian arts camp for young people every summer. These are just three of the eighteen case studies of practicing arts ministries in this book, in which Michael Bauer encourages the nurture and support of all the creative gifts of God's people. Bauer lays a solid foundation for arts ministry, grounding it in the historic Christian tradition and urging churches to expand their engagement with the creative arts -- "to live and worship in full color," as he puts it. A concluding chapter clearly lays out how to develop an arts ministry, helping readers to take these ideas from theory to practice, to embrace and celebrate the continuing creative activity of God in the church.

Creative Ideas for Ministry with the Aged

Author: Sue Pickering
Publisher: Canterbury Press
ISBN: 1848256485
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 288

Book Description
Creative Ideas for Ministry with the Aged is a wise, timely and practical handbook that meets the urgent need for resources for ministry among the elderly. Written out of the author's own experience as a chaplain to a residential care community, it is suitable for ministers who visit the elderly; chaplains, pastoral visitors and caregivers; and all who help train others in elderly pastoral care. Part 1 explores the key theological elements of ministry with the aged, focusing on themes such as the sacrament of the present moment. It asks what constitutes spiritual care and conversation with those whose minds and bodies are failing? Part 2 provides simple service outlines for 'reconnecting with old treasures'; and includes liturgies for communion services, services of the word and remembering special days. Parts 3 and 4 offer imaginative ideas for pastoral practices and spiritual activities using prayer, song, laughter, memory, touch, anointing and more to address questions of loss, letting go, forgiveness, dying and resurrection.

Creative Christian Media

Author: Phil Cooke
Publisher: Xulon Press
ISBN: 1600346006
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 154

Book Description
Why we use the media was settled long ago. The question now is how can we use the media most effectively? Jesus spent his life reaching people. Today, we use new tools to do the same task. This book will help you take advantage of this amazing moment in time, touching nations through the power of technology.

Creative Christian Leadership

Author: Kevin Treston
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780896226487
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 108

Book Description
"There is an urgent need for creative leaders in our world ... We cannont leave today's and tomorrow's leadership formation to chance ... This book is designed to assist Christian leadership development." [Introduction].

Creative Disarray

Author: Ronald E. Osborn
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780827204621
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 228

Book Description
This book traces twelve classical models of ministry from their historical roots to the present. (pb)

The End of Youth Ministry? (Theology for the Life of the World)

Author: Andrew Root
Publisher: Baker Academic
ISBN: 1493420178
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 350

Book Description
What is youth ministry actually for? And does it have a future? Andrew Root, a leading scholar in youth ministry and practical theology, went on a one-year journey to answer these questions. In this book, Root weaves together an innovative first-person fictional narrative to diagnose the challenges facing the church today and to offer a new vision for youth ministry in the 21st century. Informed by interviews that Root conducted with parents, this book explores how parents' perspectives of what constitutes a good life are affecting youth ministry. In today's culture, youth ministry can't compete with sports, test prep, and the myriad other activities in which young people participate. Through a unique parable-style story, Root offers a new way to think about the purpose of youth ministry: not happiness, but joy. Joy is a sense of experiencing the good. For youth ministry to be about joy, it must move beyond the youth group model and rework the assumptions of how identity and happiness are imagined by parents in American society.

The Wounded Healer

Author: Henri J. M. Nouwen
Publisher: Image
ISBN: 0385148038
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 145

Book Description
A radically fresh interpretation of how we can best serve others from the bestselling author of The Return of the Prodigal Son, hailed as “one of the world’s greatest spiritual writers” by Christianity Today “In our own woundedness, we can become a source of life for others.” In this hope-filled and profoundly simple book, Henri Nouwen inspires devoted men and women who want to be of service in their church or community but who have found traditional outreach alienating and ineffective. Weaving keen cultural analysis with his psychological and religious insights, Nouwen presents a balanced and creative theology of service that begins with the realization of fundamental woundedness in human nature. According to Nouwen, ministers are called to identify the suffering in their own hearts and make that recognition the starting point of their service. Ministers must be willing to go beyond their professional, somewhat aloof roles and leave themselves open as fellow human beings with the same wounds and suffering as those they serve. In other words, we heal from our wounds. The Wounded Healer is a thoughtful and insightful guide that will be welcomed by anyone engaged in the service of others.

Fresh Ideas For Women's Ministry

Author: Diana Davis
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
ISBN: 080546395X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 3

Book Description
Picture this: women of all ages arriving in droves to the church building, excited that their weekly ministry together is about to begin. Syndicated columnist and pastor’s wife Diana Davis knows this can happen wherever the women’s ministry program is purposeful, of top quality, and fresh. Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry compiles her enthusiastic knowledge of church organization to help others with creating and sustaining a vibrant, outward-focused ladies’ program. Part resource book, part planning tool, it all adds up to a proven plan that joyfully blends discipleship, missions, fellowship, and special events with an emphasis upon hands-on ministry.

Made to Lead

Author: Nicole Massie Martin
Publisher: Chalice Press
ISBN: 0827223684
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 108

Book Description
Women were made to lead. Even in church. Jesus affirmed women as leaders-many contend Mary Magdalene was the first female minister. Yet women in ministry face challenges and obstacles, both from churches and from their own self-doubts. Both men and women miss out when women don't lead. Made to Lead empowers you to live out your calling boldly and confidently. Draw closer to God with relevant biblical examples and heart-felt prayers. Break down stereotypes of women in leadership. And create your own successful reality in which you are a key part of God's holy community.