"An outstanding study of the call to ministry among African American clergy. This is the broadest and deepest study of African American call stories and narratives ever written . . . Myers has placed the call narratives and stories in theoretical perspective, relating them to the traditions of hermeneutics and theological reflection. Highly recommended".--Lawrence H. Mamiya, Vassar College.

"William Myers has produced an outstanding study of the call to ministry among African American clergy. This is the broadest and deepest study of African American call stories and narratives ever written. Moving beyond the ethnographic descriptions, Myers has placed the call narratives and stories in theoretical perspective, relating them to the traditions of hermeneutics and theological reflection. Highly recommended for all students of African American religious traditions." --Lawrence H. Mamiya, Vassar College "The churches need this examination of a distinctive phenomenon of the African American religious experience to which Myers applies impressive cross-disciplinary research skills and insight. A fine contribution to black religious studies!" --Gayraud S. Wilmore, Editor, Journal of the Interdenominational Theological Center "This is a pioneering work. It attends to a central dimension of African American Christianity, the call, a topic largely neglected by theologians and religious studies scholars. Bringing multiple perspectives to bear, Myers argues that the call is not only a kind of religious hermeneutic but also a form of ritual and of narrative. Myers has a finely tuned ear for the nuances and richness of specific African American voices." --Ron Grimes, Wilfrid Laurier University

This is a groundbreaking study in the African American religious experience. Never before has there been a published collection of oral African American "call" stories that treats them as a genre worthy of scholarly analysis. This volume of eighty-six stories was collected in tape-recorded interviews over a six year period from 1985 to 1991. Significantly, this unique, in-depth study represents at least eight different Christian denominations. Many of the men and women who share their "call" story in this volume are nationally and internationally known.

Resources for preachers steadily appear, called forth by the perennial need on the part of working pastors for helpful and inspirational materials backed by tested experience, reverent scholarship, and creative insights. The essays in this book are of that cast, and each essay is the work of an experienced practitioner-scholar in the field of preaching. The chapters focus on the preaching ministry of Gardner Calvin Taylor, in whose honor the volume was prepared. They are offered, with affection and esteem, by colleagues, students, and friends, fellow preachers all, whose own attempts to speak the unsearchable riches of Christ owe much to the life and labors of Gardner C. Taylor.Considered by many as the greatest living American preacher, Gardner C. Taylor has often reminded other preachers about the need for divine help in fulfilling the call: All in all, a summons to the ministry is no light calling. The work of communicating the gospel requires us to be more than we are-to exceed who we are. This volume will lead readers to the realization of the need for grace and a sufficiency only found in God (II Cor 3:5, KJV) as indicated by the title: Our Sufficiency Is of God.

When bestselling author Joyce Meyer posted "God's not mad at you" on Facebook, she didn't anticipate that her words would trigger thousands of responses of gratitude and relief. Apparently many Christians struggle to reconcile their perception of God as both a loving parent and a stern judge. In GOD IS NOT MAD AT YOU, Joyce will help those who haven't truly received God's love because they are afraid of His anger and disapproval. She explores the source of this confusion, so His genuine character can be better understood and His love can be experienced on an entirely new level. Chapter titles include: * Perfectionism and Approval * The Pain of Rejection * Guilt and Shame * Developing Your Potential * Run to God, Not from Him * Getting Comfortable with God "It is important for us to remember that God's anger is directed toward our sinful behavior rather than toward us. If you feel guilty right now and are afraid that God is mad at you, then you are miserable. But your misery can be immediately changed to peace and joy by simply believing God's Word. Believe that God loves you and that He is ready to show you mercy and forgive you completely. Believe that God has a good plan for your life. Believe that God is not mad at you!" --Joyce Meyer

Teresa Frye Brown's music ministry forms a background for her application of music as a metaphor to the preaching moment. In this book she interviews numerous preaching "sistas" and uses categories from her homiletics courses to structure the data that she found in the interviews. The result is a helpful "Black Women's Commentary" on the homiletic process ... The first couple of chapters provide information on ordination and call that every male minister of the Gospel should keep in mind. It is a review of the gender barrier to ordination. Interestingly enough this aspect of the book also demonstrated the resolve of our sisters to find ways and means to preach the gospel irregardless of these barriers. While we should never accept discrimination in any form, I did find the list of venues for women's in ministry to be a very helpful way to see other possible ways to minister apart from the pulpit in the church that all ministers, male and female, should look at. Our sisters have shown us the way to greater ministry. After call and ordination, Brown moves to a discussion of Biblical exegesis, themes, and structures for sermons by Black women. I found that this section demonstrated that while some women have a tendency towards preaching actively for liberation of women, most of the themes such as "purpose, hope, and liberation of the poor" holds much in common with the Black male preacher -- From Amazon.com.

Are you tired of living with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule and aching with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul? Do you find yourself unable to say no even when you should? Are you stuck under the weight of endless demands and responsibilities? The good news is: it doesn't have to be this way. In The Best Yes, New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst guides you through the insightful lessons she's learned about what it means to live out the purpose that God has in store for you. Lysa demonstrates the incredible power of two words--yes and no--and the way that these simple, daily decisions can shape the story of our lives. Lysa has learned firsthand that there's a big difference between saying yes to everyone and saying yes to God. Drawing from applicable scriptures and her own personal experiences, Lysa teaches us that if we know and believe that God has a plan for each of us, we'll live it out--serving as living proof of His never-ending grace and kindness. Throughout The Best Yes, Lysa will give you the practical tools you need to: Stop people-pleasing by embracing a biblical understanding of love Escape the guilt of disappointing others by learning the secret of the small no Overcome the agony of hard choices by grounding your decisions in wisdom Grow closer to God as you sharpen your own discernment Learn to be intentional with your time, your choices, and yourself Incorporate the Best Yes as a filter for your daily decision making If we take time to slow down and rise above the rush of the world's endless demands, we can rest assured that God's wisdom will help us make decisions that will still be good tomorrow. No matter what season of life you find yourself in, you deserve the chance to make decisions that bring out the best you.

This is a book about discernment -- tuning in and listening to God's call, prayerfully reflecting on that call, clarifying what that call is, and responding to what you feel and hear. People involved in all sorts of ministry, and those who would like to be involved but find their calling in discord with the position of the Church, will find this book a valuable tool in determining what is of God and what is not, and how to set their own direction. The book includes a series of personal stories from both the author and others to help illustrate the concepts. A unique feature of this process is that it can involve loss -- the loss of who you are today in order to become what is your calling. Dr. Karaban carefully shows how this process of loss closely resembles the grieving process, and helps readers mourn and move through the losses to become what God (and you) want.