Abandoning her homeless existence to become a minister's wife, Lila reflects on her hardscrabble life on the run with a canny young drifter and her efforts to reconcile her painful past with her husband's gentle Christian worldview.

A small town near Lausanne, ruled by Cardinal Steiner, is influenced by the reform of preacher Juan Calvino. Protected by a group of merciless mercenaries, the clergyman imposes a regime of tyranny, which awakens an ancient and diabolical curse that for years remained dormant. "Un pequeño pueblo cercano a Lausana se encuentra totalmente influenciado por el vendaval reformista del predicador Juan Calvino, que gobierna con sus tesis religiosas la...

Asking parishioners for money is very different from creating congregations of generous people. In this provocative book, stewardship consultant Michael Durall argues convincingly that annual pledge drives inadvertently perpetuate low-level and same-level giving in congregations. Written with the voice of experience, this book will help clergy and lay leaders initiate and sustain effective stewardship programs. Durall believes that asking for money...

Fulfilling the demands of clergy persons when a member dies is both diverse and challenging. Presumptions are made as to your expertise and prior experience with similar circumstances. But what happens when expectations are higher than your preparation, who can you turn to for support? I offer the Ringmaster as a tool to help you navigate the waters. This book is an intimate look at actual death and grief events and examples of the care provided...

As increasing numbers of young women are discerning a call to ministry, entering seminary, graduating, and searching for the call to a parish or other ministry setting, they need to be aware of the realities that face them. “The Girlfriends' Clergy Companion” is about the nitty gritty of ministry for young female clergy-how to maintain a sense of personal style, what it's really like to be a solo pastor, how to date, what to do when they're ready...

The authors combine clinical psychology and spiritual direction to create a practical model of spirituality that integrates theology, psychology, and an understanding of individual frailties in a new way. Spiritual Wholeness draws on counseling experience with more than 400 clergy and pinpoints the human problems, traps, and temptations awaiting those who choose the clergy role. Clergy will learn to develop and maintain a psychologically healthy spirituality...

When we have questions, whether they be questions of fact or faith, where do we go in search of answers? More and more the answer these days is the internet. With over 2.4 billion of us online today, being internet savvy is essential for spiritual leaders. Rev. Dr. Lauren Speeth's eMinistry - Virtual Pathways for Spiritual Leadership serves as a guide for ministers looking to learn how to effectively communicate and expand their ministry online. Written...

Rev. Anne Barber takes an in-depth look at a difficult subject for Christians to talk about. Since the first Christian flocks were formed, the cause of Christ has been hurt by predatory shepherds. Much media attention is given to the fallen pastor when his sins are exposed, but what becomes of the sheep that he seduced and morally abused? Pastor Anne offers words of compassion, understanding, and healing to help these sheep regain a sense of self-value...

Twenty years after “Critical Moment of Ministry” was first published, Loren Mead returns to his groundbreaking work on one of the most important times in a congregation's life-the time between one pastor's leaving and another's arrival. In this edition of “A Change of Pastors”, Mead shares the wisdom he gained from 35 years of studying congregations, wisdom that he hopes will allow congregations to take full advantage of this "extraordinarily...

Serving faithfully in one's current congregation while simultaneously going through the secretive process of looking for a new position is one of the most difficult dilemmas of any pastor's life. How should one respond to 'getting the itch'? Where is the line between keeping confidentialities and presenting one's credentials in the most favourable and realistic light? What are the consequences of being an active candidate? Antal's companionable approach...