"The local church is to minister to persons in the community where the church is located, to provide appropriate training and nurture to all, to cooperate in ministry with other local churches, to defend God's creation and live as an ecologically responsible community, and to participate in the worldwide mission of the church." — Book of Discipline 2012 ¶202 The twenty-six Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation 2017-2020, one for each ministry area, cover church leadership areas, as well as areas focused on nurture, outreach, and witness. The booklets are tools that get new lay leaders off to a good start and as a reference resource for all lay leaders. Each booklet includes the basic "job description" for the leader as well as practical "how-to" information important to implementing ministry effectively. Brief and to the point making it a perfect resource for the busy, but spirit-led leader. eBook Edition allows you download a digital file of all 26 Guidelines to your eReader for personal use. Include Guidelines included in Sets and sold separately are: Adult Ministries Advocates for Inclusiveness Children's Ministries Christian Education Church Council Church Historian Church & Society Communications Evangelism Family Ministries Finance Higher Education & Campus Ministry Lay Leader/Lay Member Men's Ministries Ministries With Young People Mission Nominations & Leadership Development Pastor Pastor-Parish Relations Scouting & Civil Youth-Serving Ministry Small Group Ministries Small Membership Church Stewardship Trustees Women's Ministries Worship

The days are long, but the years are short. No matter if it’s your child’s first step, first day of school, or first night tucked away in a new dorm room away from home, there comes a moment when you realize just how quickly the years are flying by. Christian music artist Nichole Nordeman’s profound lyrics in her viral hit “Slow Down” struck a chord with moms everywhere, and now this beautiful four-color book will inspire you to celebrate the everyday moments of motherhood. Filled with thought-provoking writings from Nichole, as well as guest writings from friends including Shauna Niequist and Jen Hatmaker, practical tips, and journaling space for reflection, Slow Down will be a poignant gift for any mom, as well as a treasured keepsake. Take a few moments to reflect and celebrate the privilege of being a parent and getting to watch your little ones grow—and Slow Down. Nichole Nordeman has sold more than 1 million albums as a Christian music artist and has won 9 GMA Dove Awards, including two awards for Female Vocalist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Nichole released a lyric video for her song “Slow Down,” and it struck a chord with parents everywhere, amassing 14 million views in its first five days. She lives in Oklahoma with her two children.

The 2nd Edition of the San Diego Poetry Annual continues the tradition of celebrating the talent, diversity and perseverance of poets who live, study, work or were born in San Diego County. Also included -- a special section of poems written during the Idyllwild Arts summer poetry program, 2007. Copies of this and the inaugural edition are donated in the name of contributing poets to public and college libraries throughout San Diego

An estranged bi-racial couple must confront their feelings about race and bias after their son is detained by the local police following a traffic stop incident. Their disparate histories and backgrounds inform their assumptions as they try to find out what happened to their son.

Reframe challenges as opportunities, not obstacles There is a mountain of hype around positive thinking. But have you noticed that positive thinking doesn’t, well, work? That’s because positivity is just an emotion, and at the end of the day it doesn’t change the reality of the situations we face. The Simple Shift turns positive thinking on its head and transforms it into something practical – a way of adopting beliefs that can change the way you see reality and make major obstacles into easily resolvable issues. This book helps you develop the self-awareness to know when and how your thoughts are holding you back. Instead of just trying to ignore negative thoughts or pretend that problems don’t exist, why not actually change them, using useful thinking? Control your perception and start to turn your life around with The Simple Shift. • Overcome life’s obstacles by transforming the way you perceive problems • Discover why what’s “true” doesn’t matter as much as what’s “useful” • Triumph when times are tough by adopting a simple shift in thinking • Uncover the valuable lessons you've already learned by overcoming past challenges This book provides a clear and practical path for retraining your brain to see opportunities rather than obstacles. It’s not about putting on rose-coloured glasses and pretending that problems don’t exist. Rather, you can choose to train your mindset towards what is useful, guiding you to better outcomes in life, love and work.

Tired of being in the shadow of her prettier, more popular sisters, Charlotte Patterson decides to leave Manhattan behind and discover just what Italy's la dolce vita has to offer--good food, fine wine...delicious men? But even Charlotte's Roman holiday can't help her escape a devastating family secret back in Larkville, Texas, and she finds herself seeking solace in the arms of mysterious widower Lucio Constello. Unable to deny their attraction, they share one intensely passionate night together--a night that will affect them more than they could possibly imagine....