In a day when many things divide us, what unites us? Christians have, for centuries, found unity and solidarity through the confession of faith found in the Apostles' Creed. Many learned it as children, while others only became familiar with it later in life; some can recite it by memory, some in song, but all using the same essential words. Yet, familiar though it is, do we understand its meaning? When we profess, Sunday by Sunday, these historic words, do we have a full grasp of what it is we are professing? In Rooted: the Apostles' Creed, Dr. Raymond Cannata and Rev. Joshua Reitano teach us and refresh us in our understanding of what these important truths mean. Taking a little bit at a time, this book will guide you through a comprehensive understanding of the principles contained in the beloved Creed.
The Almost Dancer by Jessica Ribera
Climbing canyon walls in Texas, young Jessica dreams of becoming a real ballerina. Hours, auditions, and bloody toes later, she finds herself dancing professionally as a trainee of the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Then one moment on stage sends her spinning. A memoir rich with vulnerability, humor, and an insider view of the ballet world, The Almost Dancer unpacks the effects of ambition, faith, education, and trauma on artistic life. Through spiritual insight and deep theological questions, Jessica recovers an identity that was never truly lost. This book is for anyone who needs to know that dreams don’t always come true but are always worth having.
Firstfruits of a New Creation: Essays in Honor of Jerram Barrs
Jerram Barrs serves as Professor of Christian Studies and Contemporary Culture at Covenant Theological Seminary. A student of the late Francis Schaeffer, Jerram joined the seminary faculty after 18 years with L’Abri Fellowship in England, where he also served as a pastor in the International Presbyterian Church. As Founder and Senior Scholar-in-Residence of the Francis A. Schaeffer Institute, Jerram is widely respected for the breadth of his teaching interests, and he is especially known for the sensitivity he brings toward those outside the Christian faith. Firstfruits of a New Creation is an expression of thanks for his life and ministry and his founding of the Francis A. Schaeffer Institute 30 years ago.
Co-Laborers, Co-Heirs: A Family Conversation
While our church doctrine teaches that men and women are co-laborers and co-heirs in Christ, does our practice reflect that truth? And what do we lose in our failures? To serve effectively together as brothers and sisters, we must be able to speak about good and hard things. The essays in Co-Laborers, Co-Heirs, by our sisters and mothers in the church can help us know, grow and do better. Here are redemptive celebrations, gentle corrections, and winsome invitations from the diversity of women God has given as gifts to the church body. Read and listen well so that may we better serve each other and God's kingdom.
Ever Light and Dark: Telling Secrets, Telling the Truth by Elizabeth Miller Hayes
As we look into the stories of our lives, particularly the most difficult ones, we connect more deeply with ourselves, with others, and even with God. Elizabeth believes that when people tell their stories, things change. We are found through the telling, and so is hope. She also has found faith. It's mysterious, and at times infuriating, as she experiences a God who refuses to be controlled. God doesn't promise the elimination of suffering, only that he will be with us in it. It's not the religion she grew up with. It's more nuanced than that. But most important, it’s real. Explore this real faith with her in Ever Light and Dark.
All Are Welcome: Toward a Multi-Everything Church
As conversations abound on social media platforms and in the news media, more people are beginning to wonder why ethnic and cultural diversity is increasing in our cities, yet it is not reflected in our churches. All Are Welcome is an attempt to have (and continue) the conversation that looms in our communities. Each contributor in this edited volume is an ethnic minority. These are the voices that are often overlooked, yet they provide ideas and answers for how to create a much more welcoming environment for all people in our local congregations.
A Sometimes Stumbling Life: Making Sense of Our Struggles and God's Grace in the Journey of Faith by Mike Khandjian
"God didn’t send Jesus to make us perfect but to make us his." This line from Mike Khandjian's A Sometimes Stumbling Life encapsulates the unfolding drama of a faith that is rooted in the delight of a Father who relentlessly pursues his children in spite of themselves. Offering no self-help secrets or empty platitudes, it is an invitation to experience God's welcoming grace in the midst of our brokenness. With fresh glimpses of the biblical story, Mike employs his own experiences and those of others to invite us into a story where we are both fully known and fully loved.
Choosing A Church: A Biblical and Practical Guide by Jonathan Stoddard
How do I find the right church? Choosing a Church is written for anyone who is interested in Christianity but is unfamiliar with the Christian church. Perhaps you want to learn more about Jesus, but you don't know where to turn. This book is your guide to finding a church you can call home.You'll learn:If there is one God, why are there so many different churches? Does it matter if a church has rock music or hymns? Is there one true church? How do I know what beliefs are essential? Does church membership matter? And much more!
The Birth of Joy: Philippians by Doug Serven and Bobby Griffith
The ancient letter of Philippians invites us to joy—today. The Apostle Paul calls the Christian community to rejoice in all things and to endure all things joyfully. However, it is not out of a naïve focus on dying and going to heaven, but rather out of a willingness to embrace the reality of what it means to take hold of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection—to follow him in loving God and others. Philippians invites us to joy and to find something in which to rejoice in the midst of our hectic, never-satisfied world.
Urban Hinterlands: Planting the Gospel in Uncool Places by Sean Benesh
As city centers become more revitalized, desirable, hip, and trendy, there is a wave of new church planters moving in. A direct correlation can be seen between the “livability” of a place and the number of new churches planted there. But should the driving goal of church planters be to move and plant the Gospel in cities and neighborhoods that are deemed desirable? What about uncool paces? What about the Urban Hinterlands? Benesh includes frank confession and discussion about motives in church planting, the value of place, ministry calling, and personal identity. He also challenges prevailing perceptions of what makes a city livable.
The Organized Pastor: Systems to Care for People Well by Doug Serven
In The Organized Pastor, Rev. Doug Serven gives hope and practical tips to pastors who want to get a handle on their time and priorities so they can be more productive. As someone who is not naturally organized but has learned to be more so, Serven provides specific, actionable suggestions for how pastors can make the most of the time they have. As a pastor, he provides encouragement because he wants pastors to succeed in their calling to love Christ and his church. As someone in ministry, he kept the book short because he knows pastors are busy people!
Everything Is Meaningless?: Ecclesiastes by Doug Serven and Bobby Griffith
Do we live in a dark and depressing time? Many think so. But many have thought so in times before. This is a look at one of the most ancient descriptions of what we now call the postmodern condition of meaninglessness, going all the way back to the poem of Ecclesiastes to see if it has anything to say to our current day and age. We'll find descriptions and musings that sound so very familiar. And we'll also find hope, grace and mercy in the midst of it all.
Heal Us, Emmanuel: A Call for Racial Reconciliation, Representation, and Unity in the Church
Most Christians would say they believe all people are made in the image of God and are equal before him. They would say red, brown, yellow, black, and white, they are precious in his sight. But do they have any friends of another race? Is there anyone at their church who does not look like them? Does this matter to God? The majority of American Christians do not have significant relationships with anyone who does not look like them, which makes them susceptible to cultural blind spots and less effective as ambassadors for biblical justice. The 30 church leaders who contributed to Heal Us, Emmanuel desire racial reconciliation, representation, and supernatural unity in all the churches of Christ.