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Vision and Character
""Craig Dykstra has done it: he has written a readable, engaging book which does justice to the complex texture of moral existence as we experience it. His exposition shows the real but limited usefulness of cognitive theories of moral development and education. In a simple, penetrating prose, rich in narrative quality, he sets forth an account of visional ethics and a corresponding ethics of character. After helping us see clearly what moral growth means, he offers one of the most truly humane and inspiring approaches to Christian moral education you will encounter. This is a superb book for any thoughtful reader. No professional in ministry or religious education can afford to be without i...
For Life Abundant
"Bass and Dykstra have written extensively and collaboratively on Christian Practices, arguing that the what Christians have done faithfully over time constitutes a life-giving way of life, and that this living of Christianity is more primary to what it means to be Christian than doctrinal confession, that our confessions spring from faithful living rather than the other way around. This book contains numerous essays that take up the question of Christian Practices and ministry--the preparation of ministers, theological education, etc. in a post-Enlightenment understanding of the relationship of practice and head knowledge. Because the book is the result of a community conversation, it doesn't have a clear thesis, but it models its conviction that reflection on theology arises from community conversation around our life in discipleship together. An extremely helpful beginning to a conversation about ministry, practices of faith, clergy preparation, etc., as the time has come to integrate the kind of learning that comes in the classroom with the kind that only comes from living the faith with others"--Amazon.com.
Practicing Witness
How might a church infused with missional theology change the way it approaches Christian practices? Interacting both with the missional theology of George Hunsberger and Darrell Guder and with the theology of Christian practices laid out by Craig Dykstra and Dorothy Bass, Benjamin T. Conner argues that allowing these two disciplines to inform one another can enhance the nature of the church s witness, its congregational discipleship, and its theological education. Framing his work with real-world narratives and applications inspired by his work as a minister to adolescents with special needs, Conner shows how a practical missional mindset can redefine and reinvigorate the spirit and purpose of a congregation.
Toward an Adult Church
Penance. Confirmation. Eucharist. Children participate in these sacraments, and many other Catholic rites, thanks to America's long-standing model of parish catechesis. Once children become adults, however, what becomes of their faith formation?In Toward an Adult Church: A Vision of Faith Formation, Jane Regan explores the current structure of parish catechesis. Basing her ideas on contemporary theory and traditional practice, Regan sets forth an intriguing argument: the vitality of the Church depends on establishing a new education paradigm--one that is focused on adults.How can parishes design a framework for adult catechesis? Will such programs be accepted by local church communities? Where does children's faith formation fit into the new structure?Regan answers these questions and offers ideas for developing a balanced approach to religious education--one that addresses the ongoing faith life of adults.
Practicing Baptism
Where is Jesus Christ? This fundamental question is the starting point of this book, which investigates the shape of Christian life and ministry in a post-Christendom context. Over the last decades there has been a shift in much of Western theology towards focusing on Christian practices in ministry and theological education. This may be seen as a way to deal with theological anxiety in an era of heightened personal autonomy. In Practicing Baptism Bard Norheim critically analyzes the engagement in Christian practices. As a response to this engagement Norheim develops a missional and diaconal theology for ministry, focusing on the presence of Christ in Christian practices. Fundamentally, this is an attempt to answer a pressing question for today: What do Christians do? Norheim draws on Martin Luther's theology and his notion of the three modes of Christ's presence, the present tense of baptism, and Luther's idea of the marks of the church. Based on this reading of Luther's theology, Norheim suggests that Christian life and ministry could be interpreted through the concept practicing baptism.
Youth Ministry and Theological Shorthand
In Youth Ministry and Theology Shorthand, David Bailey explores the dialogue between practice and theological education through the lens of youth ministry. This qualitative study illuminates how youth ministers talk about their work amongst young people. Through the slowing down of the youth ministry process it is discovered that youth ministers speak in theological shorthand. Theological shorthand is a paradox: it is both meaningful--it fuels long-term sacrificial service amongst young people--and it is problematic, as it risks untethering youth ministry from the wider narrative of the Christian story. The book will appeal to youth ministers, clergy, academics, graduate and post-graduate students, but also informed volunteers involved in youth ministry. Through the discipline of practical theology, it correlates the voices of the youth ministers, a set of materials used to deepen faith, and contemporary expressions of sung worship. These are then brought into conversation and explored via different aspects of Trinitarian theology to deepen the theological grammar within contemporary youth ministry and to help develop theological literacy.
When Ministry Hurts
Pentecostal clergy are among a group of professionals who may suffer from personal trauma and may also be susceptible to vicarious trauma. Pentecostal theology does not have adequate resources to help clergy persons amid trauma to aid in comprehending what they are going through, especially when there is no relief from the traumatic symptoms for the sufferer. This phenomenological study and theological analysis reveals that there is a triumphalistic attitude within Pentecostalism that does not adequately prepare pastors to understand or cope with trauma. The way forward is for clergy to understand trauma not through traditional Pentecostal theology but by incorporating Martin Luther's theologia crucis and his practice of lament into existing Pentecostal theology and praxis. Consideration of literature on trauma studies, Pentecostal theology, and Luther's theology of the cross and his practice of lament are utilized to highlight the need and the suggested remedy.
Paying Attention
In a culture marked by what many call “attention-deficit disorder,” congregations and their leaders are subject to distractions that detract from their mission and lead them in directions that have little to do with their reason for existence. Size concerns, building preservation, situational conflicts, the lure of technology, and the so-called worship wars all threaten to distract congregations from what matters most. Thus, churches can become part of the problem rather than a positive influence in the lives of their people and their communities. In this inspiring volume, Gary Peluso-Verdend issues a clarion call to congregational leaders to refocus their church’s attention on the cor...
Experience
Spiritual formation has gained increasing attention with theological schools as a significant element of the theological education process. Repeated Association of Theological Schools studies have revealed a broad interpretation of what is meant by spiritual formation and how it is achieved within the theological education framework. Theological schools look to what happens in the field education courses as the most significant source of spiritual formation. Experience: Spiritual Formation in Theological Field Education provides effective resources that field educators may employ to foster spiritual formation. In the first section of the book twenty-five practices are introduced that are emp...
Helping Our Children Grow in Faith
Children have serious faith questions that require serious answers, answers that adults often find themselves under-prepared to give. But the Christian community has a responsibility to help its children develop a three-dimensional faith--a faith that affects their heads, their hearts, and their spirits. Helping Our Children Grow in Faith is designed for children's ministry and worship leaders, Sunday school teachers, and pastors--as well as parents--who want to nurture the spiritual development of the children in their lives. It shows how to integrate children into congregational worship, how to teach them the Bible but leave room for the mystery of God, and how to distinguish the difference between faith development and moral development.
