The way we as Christians attempt to restore communities can be either harmful or helpful. The purpose of this book on Empowerment is to move us toward more effective involvement and empowerment with the poor. Leaders will learn to see our under-resourced communities and their residents through a new set of eyeglasses; focusing more on developing people's skills and capacities, rather than simply helping the poor live better lives. Empowerment is one of Eight Key Components of Christian Community Development, a Biblical approach to restoring under-resourced communities.

What if we taught young people that they can measure success by how they follow Christ rather than by how much money they make or where they go to college? In What Matters Most, University of Notre Dame theology professor Leonard J. DeLorenzo urges youth ministers, teachers, and parents to help young people redefine success in light of their call to discipleship—completely saying yes to God. In Luke's account of the Annunciation, Mary offers a true model of discipleship for young people to follow. Her example will empower them to make choices about how to live their lives as a courageous yes to God in everything they choose—just as she did. DeLorenzo, who served as the long-time director of Notre Dame Vision—a program designed to help young Catholics find their true calling as disciples of Jesus—shows how Mary exhibited four habits that will guide young people to make important life decisions: Listen carefully and practice patience. Remember who we are and what we value most. Respond with compassion to choices we face. Embrace sacrifice for the sake of love. DeLorenzo includes personal stories from his experience as a father and working with youth and young adults with spiritual wisdom to equip teachers, mentors, pastoral ministers, and parents to reexamine the way they encourage and help form young Catholics approaching significant life choices such as college and jobs. He presents ways to remedy spiritual deficits in these young people created by cultural realities such as the fast pace of tech-driven lives and the looming pressure to succeed with worldly accomplishments.

Through the inspiring stories of eleven faithful women, Empowered will show girls that God is the true source of their power, strength, and purpose in life. In the pages of this book, girls will encounter women they may never have heard of and will learn some of the character traits that go along with the Christian walk. But they will also encounter a God who is faithful to complete the work He has begun in them. The stories in Empowered are about faithful women, but even more about a steadfast God. Girls don't have to do the things these women have done to live a life of purpose; by making a direct connection to their daily lives, readers will have a bigger and a more personal view of their Father and His love for them. The same God who was faithful to give Corrie ten Boom the love she needed to forgive her prison guard can help girls love the unlovable bullies at school. The love for Jesus that compelled Sophie Scholl to sacrifice her life for a higher cause can empower a young girl who sees injustice in the world around her. In a culture where the youth see value in terms of Instagram likes and viral videos, the life of Pandita Ramabai will show the value of humble worship. Empowered flips the popular idea of what it means to be a strong girl on its head, showing that real power comes from our loving Father through His Son and removing the pressure girls may feel to conquer the world on their own.

This volume provides all who minister to young people with an effective blueprint for building a truly meaningful ministry

What does a re-vision of the Charismatic/Pentecostal Spirit-empowered movement look like in the coming years of this millennium?

In his seminal work, Young, Anointed and Empowered, Marcus L. Arrington presents an uplifting message of hope to teens and young adults worldwide. Through transparent articulation of his own journey and the journeys of well-known biblical figures, he confirms that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Some of his character highlights include David, Joseph and Daniel and his three friends. Arrington's introduction begins with a brief survey of the ills that inundate the landscape of youthdom. He ends on a glorious note of triumph by assuring youths and those that care for youths that the enemies that confront them and seek to destroy them aren't indestructible. In fact, Arrington informs some and reminds others that God Almighty is a timely deliverer who makes it His business to rescue the downtrodden, bruised and oppressed. After a riveting introduction, Arrington builds momentum in Chapter 1 where he asks poignantly, "whatcha lookin for?" He again informs and reminds youths that the "it" or "thing" their searching for is found in God through Jesus Christ. After examining the faith, commitment and courage of the aforesaid biblical figures in Chapters 4-6, Arrington continues his conversation by observing purity and the need to have a clean heart before God in chapter 7. He transitions from his emphasis on purity and addresses the politics of being called by God to do a work for God. In Chapter 8 Arrington, discusses empowerment. He creatively explains the ministry, person and work of the Holy Spirit and why all believers need His direction and help. Finally, Arrington concludes his conversation with a heartfelt observation of the truth that greatness in life is preceded by the tandem of humility and obedience to God.

Looking for answers about your life and ministry from a woman’s perspective?Geared for professionals and volunteers alike, Help! I’m a Woman in Youth Ministry! focuses on the unique ministry issues that you wrestle with every day, including:The challenges of singleness, marriage, and parenthoodMentoring and counseling Making your voice heardFair treatment and fair payWorking with men...and much more!Regardless of age, marital status, church size, or denomination, Help! I’m a Woman in Youth Ministry! will transform how you approach your unique, vital place in the youth ministry world.

Have you ever considered the ultimate purposes and consequences of good work performed by non-Christians? Have you ever theologically considered the work of non-Christians at all? Is it possible that God would ever give credence to, let alone honor the work of, non-Christians in an ultimate sense? Are you frustrated by theologies of work that are entirely protological in orientation? How do we make sense of biblical excerpts that talk of work being judged towards a particular outcome? The Good Work of Non-Christians, Empowerment, and the New Creation attempts to answer these questions in a manner that also challenges evangelical assumptions about the ultimate outcomes of working life. Drawing strength from eschatologically minded theologies by Miroslav Volf and Darrell Cosden, Weir seeks to replace protology with eschatology in a theology of work about non-Christians. The British evangelical tradition is specifically taken up here so as to make critical assessments of certain airtight theologies regarding human action with reference to the new creation. This book attempts to create a heuristic against unhelpful hermeneutical tendencies that inform evangelical theologies. This is a work that is not only theological, it is biblically, historically, and ethically rigorous.

Youth ministry is an essential part of most evangelical churches. And yet, there is a surprising lack of resources written specifically for youth workers focused on viewing all aspects of youth ministry through a gospel-focused lens. Featuring contributions from a host of experienced youth workers from a wide variety of churches, this how-to manual offers guidance related to every facet of youth ministry, from planning short-term mission trips to working with parents. Theologically rooted yet eminently practical, this handbook will equip youth leaders to effectively shepherd the young people under their care—training them to live faithfully in their homes, churches, and schools.

The early 1960s were a heady time for Catholic laypeople. Pope Pius XII’s assurance “You do not belong to the Church. You are the Church” emboldened the laity to challenge Church authority in ways previously considered unthinkable. Empowering the People of God offers a fresh look at the Catholic laity and its relationship with the hierarchy in the period immediately preceding the Second Vatican Council and in the turbulent era that followed. This collection of essays explores a diverse assortment of manifestations of Catholic action, ranging from genteel reform to radical activism, and an equally wide variety of locales, apostolates, and movements.