What comes after deconstruction? How do we begin to pick up some of the pieces of a faith or religious life that we had held on to for so long? We Don't Trust Your Theology is one person's approach to starting the reconstruction work. Meant as a jumping off point, this book walks alongside the reader to give ideas, encouragement, and some personal stories on what that may look like.

Practical theology has outgrown its traditional pastoral paradigm. The articles in this handbook recognize that faith, spirituality, and lived religion, within and beyond institutional communities, refer to realms of cultures, ritual practices, and symbolic orders, whose boundaries are not clearly defined and whose contents are shifting. The International Handbook of Practical Theology offers insightful transcultural conceptions of religion and religious matters gathered from various cultures and traditions of faith. The first section presents ‘concepts of religion’. Chapters have to do with considerations of the conceptualizing of religion in the fields of ‘anthropology’, ‘community’, ‘family’, ‘institution’, ‘law’, ‘media’, and ‘politics’ among others. The second section is dedicated to case studies of ‘religious practices’ from the perspective of their actors. The third section presents major theoretical discourses that explore the globally significant diversity and multiplicity of religion. Altogether, sixty-one authors from different parts of the world encourage a rethinking of religious practice in an expanded, transcultural, globalized, and postcolonial world.

The author, who has been a minister's wife for thirty-five years, looks back on her life and offers practical advice for the wives of clergy

Hanna Seymour, a mentor to thousands of young college women, provides a plan for success in college based on experience, illustrations, and biblical principles. Each year millions of young women enter the college scene and are surprised to find their glittering preconceptions shattered. College isn't exactly what they had imagined -- it's a lot tougher. Social challenges, a demanding schedule, pressure to succeed, shifting family dynamics: how do girls tackle these issues, learn to thrive, and really enjoy this new phase of life? The Girl's Survival Guide is packed with experienced-based advice that can help. Written by a mentor with ten years of experience helping college girls succeed, it's like having a big sister along for the journey. With proven tips, scripture, and inspiring illustrations, this book will coach, comfort, and inspire young women so that they can make the most of the college experience. Thousands of young women have asked Hanna Seymour what to do about roommate drama, boyfriend trouble, choosing a major, balancing family and school life, and so much more. She's poured her best insights into this book -- answering the top 52 questions she has received -- so that readers everywhere will be armed with the knowledge and inspiration to make college the most epic, enriching time it can be.

Pluralism presents both promises and challenges for Christian theology in the next millennium. Here biblical scholars, religious ethicists, and theologians reflect on the meaning and abiding relevance of the Christian revelation for communities of faith and the life of the church.

With Her Last Breath looks for answers of hope for those struggling with thoughts of suicide and their loved ones. When Barbara M. Roberts first heard that her niece, Kathy, had taken her life, the pain was so bad she could barely stand it. If only she had called her more often; if only they had taken her to dinner one more time; if only she had taken her ‘suicide talk’ more seriously. Suicide happens so often in our society that it now almost seems normal. People used to think that Christians did not commit suicide. But when Barbara read through Kathy’s 26-page journal, written within the last 36 hours of her life, she knew she was experiencing something the likes of which she had never seen in all her years of pastoral ministry. Kathy’s journal not only details the act itself, but her reasoning behind her suicide—a depiction of why she could not stay here on this earth one more day, looking forward instead to her hope of Heaven. Each chapter of With Her Last Breath is tied to a page in Kathy’s journal, intertwining the pages with stories of others and tools to help those who are suicidal or their loved ones, including what to watch for, how to care, and where to turn. Hearing others’ stories of suffering, those struggling with suicide in any manner are able to make more sense out of their own suffering and emerge with a vision of God’s love and faithfulness.

Think you don't have time or space for spiritual stuff? That intimacy with God is impossible? Here's how-in the life you already live-you can make time and space for God. Godspace offers seven practices that help busy Christians pay attention to God. They help us align our sometimes messy daily lives with our spirituality. And they strengthen our most important relationships, giving our lives meaning, significance, and purpose. It's not holding a set of beliefs, reading the Bible, going to church, or even praying that determines how we connect with God. It's our pace of life. When we live hurried and distracted lives, we miss the chance to experience the intimacy we desire with God. Experience God more deeply and live more joyfully by exploring these seven spiritual practices: Sabbath Hospitality Worship Simplicity Gratitude Generosity Critical thinking With abundant wit, humorous anecdotes, and authentic sharing of her own joys and struggles, Keri Wyatt Kent guides us toward a deeper and more meaningful faith in the midst of our overcrowded, cluttered lives. A lay pastor at Willow Creek Community Church, where she has been a member for thirty years, Kent is the author of eleven books. She speaks at events and retreats around the country. Learn more at www.keriwyattkent.com.

After decades of bouncing between hope and despair, Evangelical, Baptist-raised Julie Rodgers found herself making a powerful public statement that her former self would have never said: "I support same-sex marriage in the church." When Rodgers came out to her family as a junior in high school, she still believed that God would sanctify her and eventually make her straight. Wanting so intensely to be good, she spent her adolescent and early adult years with an ex-gay ministry, praying for liberation from her homosexuality. In Outlove Rodgers details her deeply personal journey from a life of self-denial in the name of faith to her role in leading the take-down of Exodus International, the largest ex-gay organization in the world, to her marriage to a woman at the Washington National Cathedral. Through one woman's intimate story, we see the larger story of why many have left conservative religious structures in order to claim their truest identity. Outlove is about love and losses, political and religious power-plays, and the cost to those who sought to stay in a faith community that wouldn't accept this. Shedding light on the debate between Evangelical Christians and the LGBTQ community--a battle that continues to rage on in the national news and in courtrooms across the country--this book ultimately casts a hopeful vision for how the church can heal.

Have you ever picked up a volume of theology, read the first page, and decided you would rather scrub the bathroom floor than read another page? Theology does not need to be abstract, dull, boring, tedious, dense, inconsequential, trivial, remote, immaterial, or unimportant. Theology should not leave readers feeling bewildered and lost. Expressing Theology challenges writers of theology to craft engaging, compelling, and beautiful prose that grabs readers' attention and makes reading a pleasure. Expressing Theology provides writers of theology--academics, aspiring, and published--with perspectives and writing techniques to write theology that readers want to read.

Julia Ogilvy interviews twelve of the most notable Christian women of our time, exploring their disappointments, ambitions and hope for the future place of women in the Church. The role of women in the Christian Church has been the subject of heated debate in recent years. This July the Church of England's General Synod vote approving the ordination of women bishops announced a new era for women in the church, ushered in after almost 100 years of campaigning. In this powerful book, Julia Ogilvy provides a telling and at times shocking analysis of the situation today. The women - from the Dean of York and the Presiding Bishop in America to Helena Kennedy QC and Dr Elaine Storkey - share some of the pain, disappointment and hurt they have experienced and reflect on the impact of a patriarchal Church on the suffering of women across the world. Their stories are very different but they all share a remarkable faith, humility and determination to fulfil their own calling. Each one is an inspiration to women everywhere and provides a unique insight into the role of the leader in any profession. Contributors include: Lucy Winkett, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Sheila Watson, Vivienne Faull, Jane Williams, Elaine Storkey, Sarah Coakley, Helena Kennedy, Alison Elliot, Tamsin Merchant, Katherine Jefferts Schori, and Chilton Knudsen.