NCW Libraries

"Few things bring more immediate scrutiny and impassioned angst among young adult Christians today than hearing the words "purity culture." Serious flaws from purity culture deserve to be scrutinized, especially given its lasting negative effects on some raised in the movement. Many Christians today reject the movement--and all that it stood for--wholesale. However, we can't ignore the clear sexual ethics of the Bible. Pure dives into the big picture...

In this honest book, pastor and author Scott Sauls exposes the real struggles that Christian leaders and pastors regularly face. Sauls shares his own stories and those of other leaders from Scripture and throughout history to remind us that we are human, we are sinners, and we need Jesus to help us thrive as people and leaders. For Christian leaders-both inside and outside of the church-weaknesses that are left unchecked can lead to a downfall that...

The idea of Christian unity presents an attractive ideal. Yet it is more than an ideal. Those who have been joined together with Christ through the new covenant have also been joined together with one another. Such ideas can be difficult to accept considering the overall state of the church today. But God has a plan for these last days, and it involves the members of His unified body loving one another and working together to fulfill His purposes. Greater...

The natural world is crying out for our loving attention.Does your church or community group want to get involved but don't know where to start?The contributors to this book explore the issues, share their personal visions, and offer practical ideas that your church or group can act on today.Awhi Mai Awhi Atu tells the stories of 30 women, living in Aotearoa New Zealand from many cultures, who are leading in environmental action. Through their experience...

PRISM is a Theological Forum for the United Church of Christ.

Roy Oswald, who ministers to pastors with great compassion, perceptiveness, and skill, now brings eight more years of field experience to an updated edition of "New Beginnings." Important new material includes: More wisdom about how to take care of yourself in the midst of the stress of transition...how to get clear about your role in your new parish...how to get along with people you don't like (as well as people you DO like)...how to celebrate with...

Like Aaron and Hur who lifted the arms of Moses during battle (Exodus 17), this book highlights the critical work of clergy care providers in America. These individuals and organizations support clergy by providing counseling, coaching, spiritual direction, funding, hospitality, education, and benefits upon which clergy rely. Their ministry strengthens congregations and has the capability to produce an exponential return for the kingdom of God. Yet,...

What is your hope for your first five years of ministry? Thousands of people graduate every year from seminaries and divinity schools in the United States and immediately encounter a whole range of possibilities, issues, and decisions. Many new pastors experience stymied creativity, an endless list of tasks, the intransigence of church systems, personal and professional isolation, and the pressure that comes with dealing with the expectations of other...

Proven methods for churches to attract and engage young people. One question faces every church leader looking to the future: How do we attract younger generations? Many things have been tried, but in this book, church consultant David Stark shares practical methods that have been proven to work in a variety of congregations. Stark helps leaders identify and use their church's strengths to engage millennials, even those with negative views of Christianity....

Recentering the Goal of Pastoral Ministry to Cultivate Christ-Treasuring Church Plants As churches rapidly expand, Christians risk viewing the church with an entrepreneurial mindset. Church planters can be tempted to fixate on gaining numbers and achieving financial stability as their only metrics for success. They fail to focus on lifting up Christ's people within the church. In Planting by Pastoring, author Nathan Knight challenges our view of...