In light of the numerous challenges posed by globalization, living together as humanity on one planet needs to be reinvented in the twenty-first century. To create a new, peaceful, just, and sustainable world order is vital to the survival of us all. In this regard, humankind will have to expand the limited scope of its moral imagination beyond the borders of family, tribe, class, religion, nation, and culture. Will the cultivation of compassion, as scholars like Martha Nussbaum and Karen Armstrong, and religious leaders like the Dalai Lama maintain, contribute to a more just world? A global movement to cultivate and extend compassion beyond the immediate circle of concern may indeed find inspiration from many different religious traditions. The question at the heart of this book is whether the Christian legacy provides us with sources of moral imagination needed to guide us into the global era. Can the Christian practice of faith contribute to a more compassionate world? If so, how? And is it true that compassion is what we need, or do we need something else (justice, for example)? In Considering Compassion, colleagues from different theological disciplines at Stellenbosch, South Africa, and Groningen, Netherlands, take up these challenging questions from a variety of interdisciplinary angles.

The concept of diakonia has developed over the last decades, especially within the ecumenical movement, to a degree that may be characterized as a paradigm shift. Three main features characterize this change: First, the ecclesial dimension of diakonia is now strongly underlined. While diakonia earlier often was perceived as the activity of professional diaconal workers or agencies, it is now emphasized that diakonia belongs to the nature and the mission of being church. Second, it affirms that diaconal action must be holistic, taking into consideration the physical, mental, social and spiritual dimension, and rejecting practices that tend to departmentalize sectors of human reality. Third, it enhances bold and prophetic expressions of diaconal action, in solidarity with marginalized and suffering people, moving away from traditions of conceptualizing diakonia as humble service. The authors of this book largely subscribe to this understanding. The major part of them belongs to the faculty of Diakonhjemmet University College in Oslo. This book is a must-read for academicians, practitioners and leaders in the churches and theological institutions as it brings up new perspectives of diakonia in a changing global context. It is an ideal resource book for churches as they nurture and enhance their vision and commitment to diakonia, including critiquing their current approaches. From the foreword by Agnes Abuom, Moderator of the World Council of Churches In the Lutheran church we speak of prophetic diakonia. Prophetic diakonia works for the fruition of peace with justice and reconciliation based on forgiveness. We work to empower those in need to stand on their feet and become deacons in their own context. I adjure readers of this book to remember that holistic mission includes prophetic diakonia. Munib Younan, President of the Lutheran World Federation, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land In a time when the churches together are searching for how to be a servant church in a rapidly changing world, this book is presenting a remarkable source for reflection and for studies. It is conveying new perspectives on the meaning and the liberating power of the diakonia of the church. For deacons and indeed for anybody called to serve in and for the church, this book provides new insights. The ecumenical movement as a joint move into the future needs books like this. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary, World Council of Churches This book is highly welcomed by Norwegian Church Aid. It puts our core mandate - international diakonia - into a broader context, while firmly placing it at the center of the nature of the Church. The authors point to the unique qualities and distinctiveness of diakonia and the book is therefore a good reminder that diakonia can truly be a powerful driver of sustainable change. Anne-Marie Helland, General Secretary, Norwegian Church Aid Diaconal circles within European churches long ago expanded the narrow and introverted ideology, courageous as it was for its time, of the early 19th century founders of the modern deacon movements. This book evidences ongoing tensions in attempting to come to terms with the revolution that has occurred in the theological underpinning of diaconate, and is one of the first to make the attempt in the public arena. John N. Collins, Lector Emeritus, Melbourne University of Divinity Stephanie Dietrich is Associate Professor at Diakonhjemmet University College, Norway. Knud Jorgensen is Adjunct Professor at the MF Norwegian School of Theology. Kari Karsrud Korslien is Assistant Professor at Diakonhjemmet University College. Kjell Nordstokke is Professor Emeritus at Diakonhjemmet University College.

From Our Side is a collaborative effort of younger scholars in southern Africa and the Netherlands who are interested in the relationship between development and ethics, from a Christian point of view. The 17 chapters that make up the book have been produced through a unique set of partnerships, in which the authors have intentionally worked with practitioners who are working in the development arena. The essays were also shared in a number of settings with the authors, so that they have also benefited from this creative partnership process, and these partnerships have embraced people in both the South and the North, signalling a desire for a global dialogue led by Africa on matters which have a strong impact upon the continent.

This book is the third volume on diakonia published by Regnum Books. It follows Diakonia as Christian Social Practice: An Introduction and Diakonia in a Gender Perspective. For those who believe the church must be active in the world, seeking to heal and struggle for justice, this is the essential guidebook and toolbox for diaconal practice.

Your congregation is teeming with people already doing community ministry. They just don't know it yet. This book knocks down the church walls that keep parishioner ministry hidden from congregational view. Do parishioners know that their already-mission counts as ministry in your congregation? Parishioners are already on mission raising their children, caring for elderly parents, volunteering in the community, supporting neighbors in crisis, serving on charity boards, donating to food banks, and fundraising for important causes. This book counts this already-mission as Christian service. When parishioners sacrifice their time, talents, and treasures to be the good news for others, they are on mission for God. Even if they don't know it. Already missional congregations help people connect their personal mission with their faith. Already missional congregations see parishioners as community partners in ministry. This book provides the steps needed to connect your congregation's mission strategy with the rich and varied already-mission lived daily by parishioners. Already Missional is your congregation's guide to being a community partner.

Drawing upon the public theology of Gary M. Simpson and personal experiences, contributors provide theological perspectives on the ethics and opportunities of twenty-first century Christian mission and envision promising pathways for Christian congregations to faithfully bear social responsibility in contemporary worldwide contexts.

Centered on the rule of Christ over the whole of life, explores multiple aspects of holistic ministry including proclamation, evangelism, and social transformation.

With a focus on seven Jesuit university leaders emeriti and the late University of Notre Dame President Father Theodore Hesburgh, this book offers a critical analysis of the common values, philosophies, and leadership practices of Jesuit-Catholic university presidents within the broader higher education context. Looking at the impact of these leaders’ spirituality on their leadership styles, The Hermeneutics of Jesuit Leadership illuminates the influence of their common perspectives and leadership styles on university policy and culture. Offering a clear framework for Jesuit-Catholic organizational culture in higher education, the author explores the key lessons and practices that can be derived from the presidents’ similar leadership ideals and qualities.