Hardcover edition published under the title: Post-traumatic church syndrome: a memoir of humor and healing

Deconstructive faith experiences are growing in number throughout global Christianity. Factors like globalization, individualism, education, post-colonial experiences, fundamentalism, connectivity, and others contribute to accelerate this trend and shape the environment of faith communities that find themselves amongst increasingly postmodern tendencies. Many pastors are deciding to ignore the situation by rejecting deconstruction altogether, while others are embracing it blindly. Since an overwhelming number of churches worldwide embrace Pentecostalism, Esteban Solís proposes a pastoral response from a distinctively Pentecostal perspective that engages deconstruction of faith critically while staying open to conceive it as a tool for Spirit-led discipleship that can produce a more mature faith. The book examines six affirmations made by Jacques Derrida that explain deconstruction. Each of these is contrasted with specific examples of cultural changes taking place in Costa Rica, Peter’s experience at the house of Cornelius, and a Pentecostal perspective. By exploring a variety of authors, Solís identifies different tools that can help pastors to better understand the experience of deconstruction while engaging in discipleship practices that can produce mature believers in a postmodern era.

From its humble beginnings in the nineteenth century, Seventh-day Adventism has remarkably grown to become one of America's largest, home-grown faiths, numbering nearly nineteen million members worldwide. Yet Adventism harbors dark secrets within its history. This is the true story of how one Adventist pastor, and university and seminary professor discovered these dark secrets and learned through painful, personal experience that neither the denomination nor its doctrine could be trusted. As his odyssey takes him from pastoral assignments in rural and urban congregations and finally into teaching religion at an Adventist university, he suddenly finds himself caught up in the maelstrom of a church's greatest theological crisis. For him, the denomination's theology and practice agonizingly unravel, forcing him to choose between loyalty to his church, his vocation, and his personal integrity. Rich in anecdotes and personal experiences, Out of Adventism guides readers interested in religious history, cults, and sects through the ins and outs of a religious community in crisis. Along the way, the reader not only gets an insider's view of Adventism, but also discovers a careful critique of the peculiar teachings of Seventh-day Adventism.

Preaching and Social Issues: Tools and Tactics for Empowering Your Prophetic Voice equips preachers to craft sermons that help congregations talk about topics of public concern based on strong ethical, biblical, and theological foundations as well as prudent sermonic strategies. Informed by years of research with clergy and congregations, Leah D. Schade provides practical and pastoral guidance for preachers to find their prophetic voice for their context with integrity and wisdom. Preaching and Social Issues offers an assessment tool for gauging risk and capacity for preaching about social issues and suggests three approaches—Gentle, Invitational, and Robust. This book includes case studies and sermons that illustrate different approaches for preaching about contemporary topics.

The Christian story, from Genesis until now, is fundamentally about people on the move—outgrowing old, broken religious systems and embracing new, more redemptive ways of life. It’s time to move again. Brian McLaren, a leading voice in contemporary religion, argues that— notwithstanding the dire headlines about the demise of faith and drop in church attendance—Christian faith is not dying. Rather, it is embarking on a once-in-an-era spiritual shift. For millions, the journey has already begun. Drawing from his work as global activist, pastor, and public theologian, McLaren challenges readers to stop worrying, waiting, and indulging in nostalgia, and instead, to embrace the powerful new understandings that are reshaping the church. In The Great Spiritual Migration, he explores three profound shifts that define the change: ∙ Spiritually, growing numbers of Christians are moving away from defining themselves by lists of beliefs and toward a way of life defined by love ∙ Theologically, believers are increasingly rejecting the image of God as a violent Supreme Being and embracing the image of God as the renewing Spirit at work in our world for the common good ∙ Missionally, the faithful are identifying less with organized religion and more with organizing religion—spiritual activists dedicated to healing the planet, building peace, overcoming poverty and injustice, and collaborating with other faiths to ensure a better future for all of us With his trademark brilliance and compassion, McLaren invites readers to seize the moment and set out on the most significant spiritual pilgrimage of our time: to help Christianity become more Christian.

Third book series. Darkness begins to rise during apocalyptic events. In Tokyo a winged wraith troubles this ordinary Japanese community. A vampire spy is up against a deadly human cult that is connected to agents from the realm of darkness who has mounted a new attack that will create chaos which will lead to the destruction of the world on a global scale. A battle rages between the forces of good and evil within a secret world of global warfare-not only between East and West but for the whole world. A dark terror inspired by creatures of darkness and Japanese assassins who hunt down an American woman and her Japanese boyfriend whom soon gradually discovers that all she ever thought she knew was a lie. At the peril of international politics that brings the shadowy world of undercover espionage, international intrigue and demonic deception, there is an insidious plot by an unholy alliance that is working toward a New World Order. This compelling dramatic thriller takes you behind the scenes of world events.

Trauma therapist Teresa B. Pasquale offers healing exercises, true-life examples, and life-giving discussion for anyone suffering from the very real pain of church hurt. Pasquale, a trauma survivor herself, understands the immeasurable value of our wounds once we've acknowledged them and recovered in community. That's why the wounds are "sacred," and the hope this book offers is a powerful message to anyone suffering from this widespread problem. This book explores the nature of emotional wounds, trauma, and spiritual hurt that come from negative religious experience. Some of the features are: Stories from a wide range of persons hurt by negative religious experience Healing and contemplative practices to help readers explore their own spiritual story and practical ways to move towards personal healing A journey through the experience of trauma in religious settings and how it is both relatable to other forms of trauma and distinctive -- outlining both facets An exploration of the author's own personal and professional understanding of hurt, trauma, PTSD, and the power of resiliency and healing

"An intimate and important memoir of deconstructing and reconstructing faith after abuse ... a spiritual memoir that does not shy away from abuse, queerness, or the multifaceted character of God." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) A courageous, vulnerable, and spellbinding memoir that explores with visceral impact what happens when harm starts at home—and is exalted as God’s will For readers of Unfollow and Jesus Land: Jamie Marich explores spiritual abuse, intergenerational trauma, and weaponized faith At nine years old, Jamie Marich asked God to end it all. Doing it herself would be an irrevocable sin: an affront to the church and her father’s God. She prayed instead for the rapture, an accident, a passive death—anything to stop the turmoil of feeling wrong: wrong in her body; wrong in her desires; wrong in her faith in a merciful God that could love her wholly as she was. You Lied to Me About God explores the schisms that erupt when faith is weaponized, when abuse collides with the push-and-pull of a mixed religious upbringing tyhat tells you: no matter which path you choose—no matter what you know in your heart to be true—you’re probably damned. With resilience, strength, and gut-punching clarity, Marich takes readers through a tumultuous coming-of-age marked by addiction, escapism, spiritual manipulation, misogyny, and abuse. She shares with unflinching detail the complicity of her mother’s silence and the lengths her father went to assert dominance and control over her body, her desires, her identity—and even her eternal soul—”for her own good” and with a side of televangelistic hellfire. Hitting a breaking point, Marich embarks on pilgrimage: from shrines in Croatia to ashrams in Florida, she reckons with what it means to come home to a faith that heals and accepts her wholly as she is: in her queerness, in her body, and in her deep relationship to an expansive and loving God.

Winsome Apologetics Makes for Effective Apologetics As Christians, when we take a stand for our faith, we want to avoid coming across as overly combative or adversarial. While it’s important to be uncompromising when we communicate the truth, Scripture also calls us to speak the truth with love. Bridge-Building Apologetics is about establishing caring and compassionate relationships with those whom you desire to reach for Christ. In this friendly and helpful resource, you will find inspiring examples of relational apologetics from people in the Bible and modern-day bridge builders strategies for thoughtful and productive interactions with unbelievers and people of diverse faith backgrounds practical tips for engaging non-Christians in relationships and faith-centered conversations, with real-life examples Going beyond merely comparing truth with error, this accessible and informative guide shows you how to overcome relational barriers and graciously reach out to those with whom you disagree. Even in the face of deep differences, these insights and tips will help you will grow in your confidence to engage others effectively with the love of Jesus and the truth of Scripture.

This book is intended to be a source of Light for those who are questioning their faith. It is simply a tool to help you find your sacred spiritual path in Life. What do you believe to be true that is untouchable, beyond doubt? Investigating your own treasured truths is an excellent place to begin your journey of illumination. What I know for sure is that a crisis can be the greatest gift. It is during our darkest moments that we can become extremely conscious of the precious Light within us. Let your wounds from Life reveal your authentic self by being a place for your Sacred Light to shine through. Losing my religion and discovering a profound faith in myself as a mystical being has convinced me that the greatest Love, purest Peace, and holiest Light must come from within. Love, Peace, and Light must be known in the very being of your Soul as the truth, and essence, of who you are in order to bestow genuine Love, Peace, and Light to others. Be the Light you want to see shining in this world so it can be reflected in every Soul you encounter. Breaking away from the Mormon Church created within me a profound yearning to speak my truth boldly, to live my Life unapologetically and authentically, to follow my heart unashamedly, and to contribute to the healing, and the encouragement, of others who are also finding their own way through this miraculous, mystical mystery called Life.