Whose Church is it Anyway? A laymans perspective on popular church teachings and practices and their impact on revival in black majority churches This book looks at the role recent and emerging Biblical teachings have in shaping the church as it moves forward in its role as the Bride of Christ. It also sheds some insight into revival. How they come about, the qualities of the people God uses to bring revival to a nation and the impact of revival in our lives, the church and community. Whose Church is it Anyway boldly addresses several issues that the average Christian shies away from, in particular, obedience to God and motives for doing what we do. This book has been written for both lay members and church leaders in a none threatening friendly way and is easy to read. It will challenge and inspire you as you read through its pages. Pastor Roland Henshaw Word of Life Church, London, England I picked up this book to read and could not put it down. Peter Una has written straight from his heart with passion, fervour and deep cutting honesty. The contents of these pages will challenge your life and drive you to your knees. The truth outlined here will annoy church-goers but bless followers of Jesus Christ. This compelling book will help you build Gods Kingdom, de-clutter for destiny and stand ready for eternity. Dr. Jonathan Oloyede Convener of Global Day of Prayer, London, England

As pastors, the authors understand the turmoil church leaders are dealing with today. They know that pastors keep searching for the next new program or formula that will bring these spiritually hungry people back to their churches. In the midst of today's cultural upheaval and changes in the worldview, they present a whole new opportunity to do church differently. LifeShapes for Leadership is designed to transform the church through biblical principles presented in the form of eight simple and memorable shapes. These shapes form a discipleship approach that helps churches gain a greater understanding of what God intends to do in their church and world.

When it comes to baptism there is a profound disconnect between what churches and clergy understand it to mean and the understanding of those non-churchgoing families seeking the rite for their children. Clergy and regular churchgoers feel that the church is being used and abused by families seeking a baptism, when they perceive them to be looking for ‘just an excuse for a party’. On the other hand, families seeking a christening in their local churches are baffled by the lack of enthusiasm and encouragement they find when they approach their local church. Using a new interdisciplinary approach to practical theology, A Rite on the Edge reflects theologically on the findings of research conducted by Sarah Lawrence into baptism in the Church of England and in English culture more widely, using insights and research methods from corpus linguistics. It offers a profound challenge for those struggling to comprehend how ‘outsiders’ understand baptism. More fundamentally, it asks how the Church of England can remain ‘present and available for all’ at a time of heightened tensions and confused expectations about who the church is ‘for’.

This book brings together an array of distinguished scholars to consider diaspora nationalism. Through theoretical, typological and case-specific essays that discuss the Jewish, Greek, Armenian, Irish, Turkish, Sikh, Ukrainian, Hindu, Pentecostal and Muslim diasporas, the book shows the varieties and qualities of attachment of diaspora communities to their ancestral homelands, and the role that hostlands as well as the immigrants play in the form and intensity of these attachments. Setting contemporary diaspora nationalisms in the context of globalisation, with its ever-developing methods of transportation and communication, the book further shows the emergence of new concepts of diaspora - new notions of being at home and away from home - and of new ways of creating and sustaining ethnic networks and contact with the homeland, such as the internet and tourism.

When pastors and congregations come together in ministry, they generally do so with the hope that the relationship will be long-lasting and dynamic. The reality, however, is that long-term pastorates are an increasingly rare phenomenon in congregations. White there are many reasons that most pastors can only sustain their ministries in a parish for a relatively limited number of years, Glenn Ludwig argues that this does not have to be the case if both pastors and congregations take deliberate steps toward an enduring friendship.

One explores the personal journey of Steve Clifford, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance. It explores the challenges of unity as outworked both in his day-to-day marriage and home life, and national and international relations. Unity is what drives him - but not just for unity's sake. In bringing people together, we are following the John 17 mandate to show the immense love of God, who sent his Son for us. We connect to a shared mission, whether it's nurturing a church culture which is increasingly confident in the gospel, getting involved in community action or lobbying the government for a better society. The Church is the key to long-lasting change in the world - by working in unity we can transform our communities with the good news of Jesus.

'Ordinary theology' is Jeff Astley's phrase for the theology and theologising of Christians who have received little or no theological education of a scholarly, academic or systematic kind. Astley argues that an in-depth study of ordinary theology, which should involve both empirical research and theological reflection, can help recover theology as a fundamental dimension of every Christian's vocation. Ordinary Theology analyses the problems and possibilities of research and reflection in this area. This book explores the philosophical, theological and educational dimensions of the concept of ordinary theology, its significance for the work of the theologian as well as for those engaged in the ministry of the church, and the criticisms that it faces. 'Ordinary theology' Astley writes, 'is the church's front line. Statistically speaking, it is the theology of God's church.'

Ecclesial Recognition proffers a framework for churches to accept the legitimacy and authenticity of each other as the Church in the dialogical process towards fuller communion. Typically, ‘recognition’ and its reception investigate theologically the sufficiency of creeds as ecumenical statements of unity, the agreeability of essential sacramentality of the church, and the recognition of its ministries as the churches’ witness of the gospel. This monograph conceives ecclesial recognition as an intersubjective dynamics of inclusion and exclusion amid identity formation and consensus development, with insights from Hegelian philosophy, group social psychology, and the Frankfurt School Axel Honneth’s political theory. The viability of this interdisciplinary approach is demonstrated from the French Dominican Yves Congar’s oeuvre, with implications for intra-Communion and inter-Church relations. "Dr Lim examines philosophical recognition theory, group social psychology and political recognition theory to analyse the non-theological impasses confronting the whole ecumenical movement." - Rev Dr Trevor Hoggard, Director English-speaking Ministries, Methodist Church of New Zealand. "Lim masterfully argues for the viability of an interdisciplinary approach to ecumenical recognition within communities, among churches, and in their common pastoral mission.” - Fr. and Professor Radu Bordeianu, Duquesne University, and Orthodox theologian, Representative of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, and Assistant Priest of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh. “This book makes an important contribution to ecumenical ecclesiology.” - Rev. Dr and Professor Sandra Beardsall, St Andrew’s College, Canada and United Church of Canada Ordained Minister. “I find Dr. Lim's work a solid and necessary contribution to ecumenical work around the world.” - Rev. Dr. and Professor Dominick D. Hanckle, Regent University, and priest of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches. “With penetrating analysis and creative suggestions, this monograph takes the talk about ecumenical recognition in a new level.” - Professor Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, University of Helsinki.

Ministry is hard. Hundreds of pastors leave their post every month. Finish. Period. Going the Distance in Ministry provides practical, biblical strategies for reaching the finish line in ministry service. Chapters include assessments of current church culture, some of the unique character traits of those called to ministry, five steps to the finish line, and lessons on endurance for the journey.