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 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.

Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome

Author: R. Kent Hughes
Publisher: Crossway
ISBN: 1433521016
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 202

Book Description
Every year thousands of God's servants leave the ministry convinced they are failures. Years ago, in the midst of a crisis of faith, Kent Hughes almost became one of them. But instead he and his wife Barbara turned to God's Word, determined to learn what God had to say about success and to evaluate their ministry from a biblical point of view. This book describes their journey and their liberation from the "success syndrome"-the misguided belief that success in ministry means increased numbers. In today's world it is easy to be seduced by the secular thinking that places a number on everything. But the authors teach that true success in ministry lies not in numbers but in several key areas: faithfulness, serving, loving, believing, prayer, holiness, and a Christlike attitude. Their thoughts will encourage readers who grapple with feelings of failure and lead them to a deeper, fuller understanding of success in Christian ministry. This book was originally published by Tyndale in 1987 and includes a new preface.

Creative Church Handbook

Author: J. Scott McElroy
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830841202
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 302

Book Description
Now is the time for the church to reclaim its role as a center of creativity. Among your members are artists and musicians whose gifts can enhance your worship, inform your theology and impact your community. Christian arts advocate J. Scott McElroy gives a comprehensive vision and manual for unleashing creativity in your congregation.

Forgiving the Nightmare

Author: Mark Sowersby
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781951475185
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 128

Book Description
Forgiving the Nightmare is a testimony of forgiveness, God's grace, and overcoming in the midst of life's hurts, pains, and abuses. Mark has been rescued from traumatic childhood abuse and restored through the power of God's Word and prayer.