Facing Feelings in Faith Communities is based on a simple premise: We have emotions because we need them. God created us as affectively competent beings, William Kondrath argues, to help us understand our world and to give appropriate signals to people around us about what we are experiencing. When we express our feelings clearly, other people can more easily respond in ways that are helpful to us, thus enhancing our relationships and the work we might do together. Kondrath also recognizes that unfortunately, for many of us, our emotional software was infected early on with viruses (early familial and social conditioning) that distorted the way we responded to natural stimuli. Because we are underusing or misusing our emotional capacities, we are missing out on the opportunity to express our full humanity. Fortunately, we can re-program our emotional software. Facing Feelings in Faith Communities help us restore our emotional systems to their original state, or at least invites us to imagine how we would live differently if our emotional expressions were more nearly congruent with the situations and events we encounter. Kondrath invites us to explore six feelings--fear, anger, sadness, peace, power, and joy--through poetry, meditation on an evocative drawing, as well as through his own analysis of each feeling. Congregational Resources for Facing Feelings is a companion collection to this book. For more information, click here.

Congregational Resources for Facing Feelings is a companion collection to Facing Feelings in Faith Communities by William Kondrath. This collection of practical applications for congregational situations in which exercising greater emotional competence will improve both our understanding of what is happening and the effectiveness of our actions and those of others.

Pro Ecclesia is a quarterly journal of theology published by the Center for Catholic and Evangelical Theology.

How to heal from trauma and restore laughter, love, and faith When trauma wounds, victims are thrown into unexpected darkness and experience unfamiliar symptoms. Some trauma survivors draw upon a lifelong faith in God; others find themselves in a wilderness devoid of spiritual grounding. The recovery stories in this book offer diverse pathways to faith and hope. In When Trauma Wounds, psychologist Karen A. McClintock combines psychological approaches with faith resources to improve trauma recovery. Whether you are a trauma survivor, a caregiving pastor or church member, or friend to a survivor, this book will familiarize you with trauma symptoms and healing strategies. Secure and trusting relationships heal many wounds. If you care for a trauma survivor, McClintock will help you create a sanctuary to shelter this wounded soul, to help them bear their pain and hold out hope for recovery--to offer victims of trauma the compassion they so badly need. Each trauma victim has a story to tell. If you are a trauma survivor, healing from that trauma or working through repeated traumatic experiences may take days or years. But no matter how long your healing journey might take, it can begin right now.

In the wake of misconduct by trusted clergy and lay leaders, members of congregations find themselves adrift. Often there are deep divisions within the church and open, direct, honest communication ceases. Wholeness After Betrayal offers an understanding of these dynamics and a process to help members take the first steps toward reconciling relationships with one another. This specialized instruction is tested and proven, having been used effectively many times in a variety of congregational settings. It holds tremendous value for institutional healing, both immediately following misconduct or even decades later.

Iran's long history and complex cultural legacy have generated animated debates about a homogenous Iranian identity in the face of ethnic, linguistic and communal diversity. The volume examines the fluid boundaries of pre-modern identity in history and literature as well as the shaping of Iranian national identity in the 20th century.

When a person is abused by a member of the clergy, he or she may feel separated not only from the human community but from God as well. "Recovering the Lost Self" offers a model for those who seek relief from the isolating and devastating shame that goes with the betrayal they have experienced. It is in booklet form to facilitate its use as an informational resource and counseling tool.

This unique text combines traditional parish nursing content with community health nursing methodology, coverage of community and faith community assessment, and health education and health promotion/disease prevention programming.

Research has shown there is a great divide between the church and the unaffiliated, to include those who tend toward atheism. This concern inspired the author to step away from full-time ministry to work as a counselor in a state-owned and -operated residential facility to better understand the thought processes of those who are not invested in Christianity. He became aware of an us-versus -them mindset held by some Christians; this attitude has resulted in Christians drawing a tight circle around themselves that has created a barrier for reaching those not affiliated with the church. There are several consequences. First, it has resulted in a deep decline in baptisms and church affiliation for churches; less than 50 percent of Americans surveyed are members of a church. Second, it has resulted in Christians believing there is no hope for those outside the church. Third, the "gospel presentation" utilized by many is to continually make jabs at the unaffiliated, bordering on a scare tactic. Too many churches have attempted to use revival-era styles of evangelism, contemporary approaches, and/or a social perspective; however, the chasm has widened. This book takes an in-depth look at the philosophical systems that keep people from embracing Christianity. The author also provides a theological model for helping others understand a theological base for the Christian worldview. The greatest contribution of the book is the way it offers hope for reaching the unaffiliated and provides practical ways of connecting with those outside the church.

Many people come for help because they remain stuck in a destructive relationship, job or legal battle, or with painful memories of child abuse. But does it necessarily help to forgive?