In Ministers and Masters Charity R. Carney presents a thorough account of the way in which Methodist preachers constructed their own concept of masculinity within -- and at times in defiance of -- the constraints of southern honor culture of the early nineteenth century. By focusing on this unique subgroup of southern men, the book explores often-debated concepts like southern honor and patriarchy in a new way. Carney analyzes Methodist preachers both involved with and separate from mainstream southern society, and notes whether they served as itinerants -- venturing into rural towns -- or remained in city churches to witness to an urban population. Either way, they looked, spoke, and acted like outsiders, refusing to drink, swear, dance, duel, or even dress like other white southern men. Creating a separate space in which to minister to southern men, women, and children, oftentimes converting a dancehall floor into a pulpit, they raised the ire of non- Methodists around them. Carney shows how understanding these distinct and often defiant stances provides an invaluable window into antebellum society and also the variety of masculinity standards within that culture. In Ministers and Masters, Carney uses ministers' stories to elucidate notions of secular sinfulness and heroic Methodist leadership, explores contradictory ideas of spiritual equality and racial hierarchy, and builds a complex narrative that shows how numerous ministers both rejected and adopted concepts of southern mastery. Torn between convention and conviction, Methodist preachers created one of the many "Souths" that existed in the nineteenth century and added another dimension to the well-documented culture of antebellum society.

In Ministers and Masters Charity R. Carney presents a thorough account of the way in which Methodist preachers constructed their own concept of masculinity within -- and at times in defiance of -- the constraints of southern honor culture of the early nineteenth century. By focusing on this unique subgroup of southern men, the book explores often-debated concepts like southern honor and patriarchy in a new way. Carney analyzes Methodist preachers both involved with and separate from mainstream southern society, and notes whether they served as itinerants -- venturing into rural towns -- or remained in city churches to witness to an urban population. Either way, they looked, spoke, and acted like outsiders, refusing to drink, swear, dance, duel, or even dress like other white southern men. Creating a separate space in which to minister to southern men, women, and children, oftentimes converting a dancehall floor into a pulpit, they raised the ire of non- Methodists around them. Carney shows how understanding these distinct and often defiant stances provides an invaluable window into antebellum society and also the variety of masculinity standards within that culture. In Ministers and Masters, Carney uses ministers' stories to elucidate notions of secular sinfulness and heroic Methodist leadership, explores contradictory ideas of spiritual equality and racial hierarchy, and builds a complex narrative that shows how numerous ministers both rejected and adopted concepts of southern mastery. Torn between convention and conviction, Methodist preachers created one of the many "Souths" that existed in the nineteenth century and added another dimension to the well-documented culture of antebellum society.

MINISTRY IS A CHALLENGING VOCATION, EVEN IN THE BEST OF TIMES. WHILE THE PASTOR OR YOUTH MINISTER IS THE PUBLIC FACE OF HIS CHURCH, THERE IS SOMEONE ELSE WHO PLAYS A VITAL SUPPORTING ROLE BEHIND THE SCENES - A ROLE THAT CAN BE CENTRAL TO ITS SUCCESS OR STRUGGLES. BEING THE WIFE OF A PASTOR OR YOUTH MINISTER CAN BE TREMENDOUSLY REWARDING, BUT IT IS ALSO A COMMITMENT OF TIME, PERSONAL INVESTMENT, AND PATIENCE. JEANA FLOYD PROVIDES A CLEAR, CONCISE, AND HONEST VIEW OF THIS LIFE. WITH "INTERACTIVE TESTIMONIES" INCLUDED FROM VARIOUS PASTORS' WIVES AT THE END OF EACH CHAPTER, THE BOOK SHARES POIGNANT AND POWERFUL INSIGHTS ANY WOMAN OR WIFE CAN APPRECIATE.

Theology for Ministry is for beginning ministry students, seasoned lay leaders, and anyone in between who wants to learn more about the faith that feeds their call to serve. Six easy-to-read chapters introduce the main areas of theology that every lay minister ought to know: the notion of vocation, the doctrine of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, church, and ministry. By sharing personal stories and simple examples, Edward Hahnenberg brings the Bible to life and dusts off ancient church doctrines—revealing the many ways our tradition can inspire the work of lay ministers today.

In this book, Douglas Wilson shows why the Scriptures require ministers of the church to be men and what the Scriptures say about women's roles in the church.

Ministers of Fire opens in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 1979, where, the author writes, “the world we know was born.” CIA station chief Lucius Burling, an idealistic but flawed product of his nation’s intelligence establishment, barely survives the assassination of the American ambassador. Burling’s reaction to the murder, and his desire to understand its larger meaning, propel him on a journey of intrigue and betrayal that will shake his faith in himself and in his country. Fast forward to Shanghai in the spring of 2002: his marriage and career blown off course, Burling lives quietly as the American consul, but the attacks of September 11 threaten to bring his misadventures in Afghanistan back to the surface. A Chinese dissident physicist may be planning to sell his country’s nuclear secrets, and Burling recognizes the fingerprints of a covert operation, one without the obvious sanction of the Agency. The dissident Yong’s escape route winds through an underground railroad of unauthorized churches and activists’ homes, drawing the violent attention of General Zu Dongren of the Chinese internal security service and his devoted lieutenant Li Xin. Drawn inexorably into their path, Burling must face both the ghosts of the past and a present world of global trafficking, fragile alliances, and the human need for connection above all. Reminiscent of the best work of Graham Greene and John le Carré, Ministers of Fire extends the spy thriller into new historical, political, and emotional territory.

A practical new volume in the best-selling ¿Star Book¿ series from Judson Press! Rev. Dr. Jason Curry brings his experience as pastor, university chaplain, and pastoral counselor to bear in offering church leaders a compact and comprehensive overview of pastoral counseling as a critical aspect of pastoral care. Dr. Curry covers topics from a foundational definition of pastoral counseling to the unique considerations in counseling women, African Americans, and others. One chapter is devoted to the most common types of pastoral counseling in the parish setting: premarital, grief, and addictions, while other chapters explore group dynamics in counseling couples and families. This pocket-sized volume provides categories for the intake interview, suggestions for planning the counseling session, instructions for creating a genogram, and brief discussions of legal and ethical issues. Includes a chapter about designing a pastoral counseling program in your own church!