Richard Peace teaches you how to engage in easy and comfortable conversation about the good news of Jesus. Explaining the gospel in plain language and offering practical suggestions for sharing your faith with friends, neighbors and colleagues, he provides twelve study and discussion sessions perfect for small groups to work through--and try out--together.

Linking the themes of spirituality and worship and giving each needed focus in ways that are biblically and theologically rich and consistent with ecumenical traditions, this book specifically explores the relationship of sacred reading (lectio divina) to worship. Linman sees this practice as one element in the larger liturgical action of Gathering, Word, Meal, and Sending. Our "spiritual worship" (cf. Rom 12:1), he argues, is the holy conversation between worshipers and the triune God who leads us to greater participation in Christ and to transformation through Christ's presence.

Planning can be challenging in the contemporary congregation, where people share a common faith and values but may have very different preferences and needs. Much of the literature on congregational planning presents it as a technical process: the leader serves as the chief problem solver, and the goal is finding "the solution to the problem." Rendle and Mann equip congregational leaders with a broad and creative range of ideas, pathways, processes, and tools for planning. By choosing the resources that best suit their needs and context, congregations will shape their own strengthening, transforming, holy conversation. They will find a path that is faithful to their identity and their relationship with God. Resource materials are available to purchasers of the book. E-mail resources@rowman.com for more information.

I am writing this book to open a conversation of faith. It is my hope to not only offer an introduction to scripture that is practical and functional for daily life but also to provide an arena where questions of faith can be openly explored. This is not an answer book but an invitation to a conversation. Harold "Jake' Jacobson is an ordained Lutheran pastor who has served for the past 35 years at Grace Lutheran Church in Clarion, PA. For the past 10 years he has also served as Assistant to the Bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod and as Director of Evangelical Mission for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Pastor Jacobson holds degrees from Jamestown Community College, Gettysburg College and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. He is also a certified Spiritual Director. Jake also is a professional wood carver. He is the owner of Tre Kronor Studio and together with his son they carry out a variety of artistic offerings in various media.

Children are theologians with the ability to recognize and respond to God’s presence in their lives. Listening to the stories of children helps us to understand how children make meaning out of God’s presence and reveals tools that children use as they claim their faith. With this knowledge, adults can then better promote and encourage children’s spiritual growth. Offering a theology of childhood, Holy Work with Children values the child’s role in the Body of Christ and God’s transformative work. Dr. Campen invites readers to consider: •How does listening to children teach us about God and faith formation? •What wisdom and insight do children offer to all of us by how they seek understanding of God and God’s presence in their lives? •How can we guide and support the children in our communities in this work? Drawing on direct research with children as they think theologically, this book extends both theological and educational research. Holy Work with Children offers practical examples for how congregational leaders, parents, and those who journey with children can encourage and guide them as they make theological meaning and discover ways to respond to God’s grace and love making a difference in their communities and the world.