An argument for Women Pastors, Elders, and Deacons based solely on the Bible and backed by historical evidence. After discovering a textual variant in early Greek manuscripts, which were supported by early Greek scripture quotations from the early church fathers, the author realized this variant reading provides the important context which reverses how many are currently understanding Paul’s apparent prohibition of women teaching in the pastoral epistles. The discovery of this variant completely changed the authors thinking and prompted a thorough study of the topic. Setting cultural arguments aside and relying solely on the text of Scripture, this book answers the critical question: Do these passages prevent women from being pastors, elders, and/or deacons? After an in-depth study, the author concluded that there is zero biblical evidence based on the original text of Scripture to support prohibiting women from holding leadership positions of pastor, elder, or deacon in the church.

This new edition of Patterns of Ministry Among the First Christians tells the story of how the first Christian leaders emerged and, with the passing of time, developed. The book includes sections on Jesus and Paul and their understanding of Christian leadership, on bishops, deacons, elders, apostles, prophets, and teachers, and on ordination. The focus is primarily on the first century but historical development is noted. The author also discuses the ways the New Testament may speak to the present.

The status of women in Christianity has waxed and waned countless times over the centuries. During the early history of Israel, several women had roles as national and spiritual leaders. Later came the age of patriarchs with its male dominance and relegation of women to subservient status. Despite the male-dominated religious system of the time, Rogers sees Christ as elevating the status of women in various ways. Today, however, he examines how Christianity has failed to meet its responsibilities to advance the roles of women. Rogers explores the current and historical status and roles of women as providers and recipients of Christian ministries. The burgeoning needs of women in society are examined along with the obstacles and opportunities for women as vocational ministers of the Gospel. Primarily of interest to pastors/ministers, seminary professors, and lay leaders in churches, Bible study teachers, and members of churches and Bible study group/classes.

Compromise is necessary within society when there are competing interests at play. However, certain concessions simply delay the inevitable. When the United States lawmakers attempted to stave off conflict over the subject of slavery with the Missouri compromise, the effect was only temporary. The Seventh-day Adventist Church may be facing a similar situation over a compromise that was intended to respond to competing interests in the church regarding women’s ordination. Guided by the principles of biblical interpretation that helped to found the Seventh-day Adventist Church, veteran New York pastor, Dr. Michael G. Coleman, finds in Scripture the basis for resolving the standoff that exists within Seventh-day Adventism over women’s ordination. He proposes a biblical solution to avoid the trend that has overtaken other Protestant churches. His response is a thoughtful, biblically faithful, and user-friendly resource. He encourages administrators, pastors, and laypersons to consider the evidence prayerfully and thoughtfully.

The roots of an insidious Religious Humanism have for some time now steadily been growing deeper and deeper and taking a firm hold in the modern Christian Church in America and across the world. The lethality of this rooting is that Religious Humanism is filled with false teachings which are historically known as heresies.

The Handbook of Contemporary Christianity in the United States is a one-volume examination of Christianity in its role, contributions, and embattled engagements with the contemporary culture of the postmodern United States. While Christianity has been a sustaining force and dominant storyline of the historical foundations of America, obvious social, political, and scientific inroads have lessened its influence and altered the issues considered. The handbook explores the strengths and weaknesses of the Christian faith and traditions in the United States and its rich and textured history with a discernable eye toward how the message, strategies, and initiatives of Christianity has adapted to contemporary American life.

Christianity has become the most practiced religion among the Chinese in America, but very little solid research exists on Chinese Christians and their churches. This book is the first to explore the subject from the inside, revealing how Chinese Christians construct and reconstruct their identity--as Christians, Americans, and Chinese--in local congregations amid the radical pluralism of the late twentieth century. Today there are more than one thousand Chinese churches in the United States, most of them Protestant evangelical congregations, bringing together diasporic Chinese from diverse origins--Taiwan, Hong Kong, mainland China, and Southeast Asian countries. Fenggang Yang finds that despite the many tensions and conflicts that exist within these congregations, most individuals find ways to creatively integrate their evangelical Christian beliefs with traditional Chinese (most Confucian) values. The church becomes a place where they can selectively assimilate into American society while simultaneously preserving Chinese values and culture. Yang brings to this study unique experience as both participant and observer. Born in mainland China, he is a sociologist who converted to Christianity after coming to the United States. The heart of this book is an ethnographic study of a representative Chinese church, located in Washington, D. C., where he became a member. Throughout the book, Yang draws upon interviews with members of this congregation while making comparisons with other churches throughout the United States. Chinese Christians in America is an important addition to the literature on the experience of "new" immigrant communities.

Divided opinion on the topic of this book has caused controversy in Baptist history and life. Most Baptist individuals and churches have strongly opposed women deacons. Some Baptist associations have even disfellowshipped churches that have approved women deacons. And women in general have been suppressed by many recent actions of the Southern Baptist Convention, thereby affecting women deacons. However, thousands of Baptist churches include women in their deacon bodies and find that they make invaluable contributions. The book presents arguments on both sides of the topic, but lands squarely in support of women deacons.

Can your everyday life make a difference? If you admit failures, can God still use you? How can you influence those around you intentionally and biblically? In Rocking Ordinary, Lea Ann Garfias comes alongside you like a true friend and shows you how an ordinary life can be lived with extraordinary influence. A gifted teacher and storyteller, she meets you exactly where you are — in the everyday, messy, stressful, kids screaming, laundry piling, everyday life, and encourages you, loves you, and roots for you as you begin rocking your ordinary.

"Over ten years in the making, The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement offers for the first time a sweeping historical and theological treatment of this complex, vibrant global communion. Written by more than 300 contributors, this major reference work contains over 700 original articles covering all of the significant individuals, events, places, and theological tenets that have shaped the Movement. Much more than simply a historical dictionary, this volume also constitutes an interpretive work reflecting historical consensus among Stone-Campbell scholars, even as it attempts to present a fair, representative picture of the rich heritage that is the Stone-Campbell Movement."--BOOK JACKET.