"The church of our Lord is like a body with Christ as the Head. Since only the Head is perfect, the body, which is the church, is subject to illness or disorderliness--just like a human body." The body of Christ is composed of people of diverse social, cultural, and spiritual maturity backgrounds, so friction amongst each other is most likely to occur. There is no such thing as a "trouble-free church" because all local churches are being led by people who have their own imperfections. In some cases, these leaders walk in Spirit with pure godly motives, while others are controlled by fleshly desires with selfish motives. The body of Christ needs godly human leaders to support and maintain its orderliness. The victory or failure of a church ministry depends on the church leaders' "character, maturity, mindset, and practices." This book gives the philosophies that every church leader should possess and offers biblical and practical solutions to some of the most common problems that every local church face, based on the many years of experience of the author.

Joseph Smith's 'History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' is a comprehensive account of the founding of the Mormon Church in the early 19th century. Written in a straightforward and informative style, the book provides deep insights into the religious and social context in which Smith operated, shedding light on the origins and development of one of America's most unique and influential religious movements. This work is not only a historical record but also a testament to Smith's spiritual experiences and his role as a charismatic leader. The narrative is rich in detail, drawing on personal accounts and historical documents to paint a vivid picture of the early days of the Mormon Church. Joseph Smith, as the founder of the Latter-day Saint movement, was uniquely positioned to write this account. His firsthand experiences and intimate knowledge of the events he describes give the book an authenticity and depth that resonate with readers. Smith's visionary leadership and unwavering faith are evident throughout the text, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in American religious history or the Mormon faith. I highly recommend 'History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' to scholars, historians, and anyone seeking a profound understanding of the origins of the Mormon Church and the life of its founder. This book is a must-read for those interested in the intersection of religion, culture, and history in early America.

The Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute has commissioned this pastoral work which focuses on the healing of congregations following clergy sexual misconduct. The book discusses the original problem of sexual misconduct and exploitation and then focuses on those neglected "secondary" victims of abuse: the congregation, the wider community, other clergy, the wider church, the offender's family, and the pastor who takes over.

The church. What has it become? What was it meant to be? Does it pave the way or get in the way? Are we suspicious of the institutionalization of church bureaucracy? Or thrilled with the relevant impact of its presence? Robert J. Suderman writes about the church as a practitioner. His inspiration emerges out of the crossroads of biblical vision and human sincerity always tempered with frailty. Years of ministry, never a stranger to complexity, only serve to sharpen the vision of possibility. His imagination of what can be is never divorced from the realities of what is. He does not bow to the common assumption that "you can't get there from here." "Here" is the only possible point of origin for us. In his succinct, easy to understand writing style, Suderman provides insightful and thought-provoking perspectives to what it means to be the church. To be a people "called out" to participate together in God's activity in the world, and to create programs and structures needed for effective ministry are two sides of the same coin. This book is for dreamers and bureaucrats alike; indeed, it assumes that the two are indispensable pieces of God's coming presence. Introduction by: Tom Yoder Neufeld