The Scriptures advise us to learn from examples of faithful ministers (Heb. 13:7). The Puritans were a group of such ministers whose teaching and living can be particularly encouraging to troubled and discouraged pastors today. They were steadfast in adhering to Scripture as the Word of God, in confessing the great truths of the Reformed faith, and in applying sound doctrine to the problems of life in an age and culture nearly as challenging as our own. In Encouragement for Today's Pastors, Joel R. Beeke and Terry D. Slachter examine the writings of these pastors of a bygone era consider how they can help struggling pastors today. Here pastors will find a helping hand, reminding them of the importance of cultivating personal piety, resting in God's sovereignty recovering clarity in their calling, discovering means of support God provided, recognizing the dignity of their office, and taking comfort in grace and glory to come. Table of Contents: Part One: Piety 1. Zeal for the Ministry of the Word 2. ‘In Sweet Communion, Lord, with Thee’ 3. Encouraged by God’s Promises Part Two: Sovereignty 4. God Gives the Increase 5. Submission to God’s Will Part Three: Clarity 6. Taking Heed to Doctrine 7. Practicing What Is Preached 8. The Calling of the Shepherd Part Four: Creativity and Community 9. History and Science 10. The Communion of Saints 11. A Cloud of Witness Part Five: Dignity 12. ‘One among a Thousand’ 13. Doing the Work of Angels 14. The Urgency and Importance of Preaching the Word Part Six: Eternity 15. The Reward of Grace 16. The Glories of Heaven

Near the close of the century, Tom Telford was criss-crossing the country researching the best ways to do and support missions. He found that the top missions churches have active, healthy, innovative programs. With the help of missiologists and church missions pastors, he compiled Today's All-Star Missions Churches. Telford's book uses case studies from churches representing a variety of denominations, sizes, and locations. From the detailed descriptions of the churches' missions history, vision, and programming, readers will glean practical ideas for starting or strengthening missions programs in local churches. Each chapter focuses on the unique qualities of a church that has succeeded, ranging from excellence in missionary care to involving children in missions. The successful methods highlighted in this book can be implemented in churches of any size. Missions organization leaders, pastors, and laypeople who want to involve their churches in missions will appreciate this practical and informative book.

"Malfunctioning Secularized Ministries in Today's Churches" The information herein decries today's modern churches' ministering to the trendiness of prioritizing physicality over spirituality. Factually stated, substantial fractions of today's church ministries unashamedly cater to whatever appeals the most to the masses. This entails resonating with what is secular and/or material rather than spiritual and/or consecrated. Here the challenge offered for evaluation is what are more significant, temporary earthly possessions or eternally Heavenlies' inheritances. Scriptural assessments document the instructions and directives specifically conveyed for church ministries' functioning and operating, as contrasted with the popular accepted practices so prevailingly displayed in the more prominently recognized religious institutions. Herein, a scriptural appeal is made for simply following the dictates of GOD'S WORD! About the Author George D. Cutler was born in Tampa Florida in 1944. He received a BS Degree in Architectural Engineering from Tennessee State University, Nashville Tennessee in 1967. He has tenured more than 42 years of ministry in Detroit, Michigan including 12 years where he currently serves as senior pastor of the Grace Gospel Church in Ferndale Michigan. Pastor Cutler briefly matriculated at the Biblion Seminary, Silverton, Oregon including a number of years of correspondences with this institution

Pastors face a nearly impossible position! Even happy, healthy pastors struggle with pressures, pains, and fears unique to their position. If pastors were given an opportunity to speak honestly, openly, and anonymously about themselves, their families, and their churches, what would they say?What Pastors Wish Church Members Knew provides that opportunity. Based on anonymous and honest interviews and surveys, a national cross-section of hundreds of pastors speak out about their personal life, faith, health, wife, children, finances, greatest joys, frustrations, disappointments, greatest fears, and dreams. And you’ll learn how you can better help and encourage your pastor. This is insightful and encouraging reading for anyone who cares about the future of the church. This is a companion to the book What Women Wish Pastors Knew.

How to meet the needs of a modern congregation by transforming troubling social trends into opportunities for ministry.

Proud of his roots in Brooklyn and New York City Oreste Renato Rondinella was Professor of Educational Studies (presently Professor Emeritus) at Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J. He decided to utilize his knowledge and passion in teaching to satisfy a long time desire to disprove the axiom “those who can’t do, teach!” He wanted to make a statement that this wasn’t true for those dedicated to the teaching profession. In 1983 Oreste returned to school for a post-doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Subsequently, he directed two Marriage and Family Centers, Allegra Counseling Centers that were successful. He continued to teach for about ten years during this time. However, Oreste began to experience a great hunger and desire to write and retired as a professor- psychotherapist to write full time. He has completed three books: Sin Is Necessary, Illusion vs. Reality---Sounds Within and Without, and is completing Intrigue in Rome. Dr. Rondinella has traveled extensively in the last twenty-five years and conducted research and interviews that contributed to his books. As of October 1, 2003, Dr. Rondinella has resumed his independent practice of marriage and family therapy including individual psychotherapy.

Redemption and Dialogue makes available for the first time both of these vital Catholic statements, one on mission and evangelization and the other on dialogue with other faiths. It contains authoritative commentaries on both Redemptoris Missioand Dialogue and Proclamation as well as shorter critiques by an international group of Catholic and Protestant scholars. Part I, the full text of John Paul II's encyclical Redemptoris Missio is followed by a meticulous discussion of the document and its development by Marcello Zago, O.M.I. Part II then presents the full text of Dialogue and Proclamation and commentary by Jacques Dupuis, S.J. Part III provides the international assessment by Catholic and Protestant scholars of the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges of these documents. By providing the complete text of both documents and the fruits of the international discussion they spark , Redemption and Dialogue provides a fascinating treatment of both documents, their meanings for the church, and their significance for all concerned with issues in mission theology and interfaith dialogue.