This collection of essays, sermons, and prayers urges the church today to be the sort of community that sustains a vigorous and continuing conversation within itself as to who has called it into being, to whom it is responsible, and what it is called to be and to do. Jones reminds the church that it is an alternative political community called into being by the Gospel. This collection explores what it means to be such an alternative community in tumultuous times, in times when it is tempting to look to the world for answers, and to confuse loyalty to the nation-state with loyalty to God. A theme throughout all the writings is that the church is the necessary context for becoming and being a Christian.

Nations are haemorrhaging refugees around the world. How displaced peoples are treated is under constant scrutiny– whether in the UK, the USA, and Australia, or Turkey, Colombia, and Uganda. How will the Church respond in these turbulent times? Resurrection Church Beirut in Lebanon was a small church of around one hundred people who then welcomed refugees from Middle Eastern countries, sacrificially served those in need in their community and saw the kingdom of God come. Through Pastor Hikmat’s leadership over the last decade, Resurrection Church has grown to over two thousand believers and the emphasis he brought on disciple-making has resulted in the church currently having two hundred and seventy life groups. Using his church’s powerful testimony, Pastor Hikmat Kashouh teaches us how to disciple refugees from Arab contexts. Jesus is drawing more and more people to himself in the Middle East through the ministry of churches like Resurrection Church in Lebanon, and through miraculous divine visitations of God. In this book the church has a resource to help love, serve and disciple refugees, equip emerging indigenous leaders and understand discipleship of people from non-Christian backgrounds.

World-changers. Rebels. Rejecters of the status quo. Throughout history, Christians were never meant to have a safe faith. Highlighting people throughout the millennia, this book is a compilation of faith, facts, and art that celebrate the prayer lives of spiritual giants and invigorate your faith. Dangerous Prayers is an inspiring collection of prayers from people who have changed the world. This four-color gift book features: the exploration of 50 dynamic prayers from historical figures, cultural icons, political leaders, saints, and martyrs biographical information on the 50 people featured--from St. Francis of Assisi to Harriet Tubman to Billy Graham portraiture art and an easy-to-follow layout a table of contents for easy reference and a presentation page for gifting a ribbon marker, so you won’t lose your place This valuable resource is perfect for: men and women interested in learning more about prayer, the Christian faith, and spiritual discipline homeschooling families or parents wanting to teach their children about historical Christianity gifting to loved ones who enjoy biographies and history No matter your age, position, or status, praying dangerous prayers will change your life—and likely the world around you as well.

Joe Jones, a retired and well-known systematic theologian, confesses he has a lover's quarrel with the church. In wide-ranging writings mostly dating since 2006, he forthrightly argues for a theologically sound understanding of the church. And he pursues a multi-faceted critique of the feckless ways in which actual churches--ministers and laity--balk and betray their rightful calling to witness in word and deed to God. He is especially critical of the practical ways in which congregations become no more than mirror images of their sociopolitical milieu, whether to the right or to the left. Hence the quarrel, trenchantly pursued in major essays, blogs, and spiritual reflections on his own past. But it remains crystal clear to Jones in his learned and profound confession that it is his beloved church with which he quarrels and about which he still has extravagant hopes. A Lover's Quarrel is a book appropriate for ministers and laity, students and professors, and learned skeptics.

Chalice Introduction to Disciples Theology offers a comprehensive introduction to theology and ethics from the standpoint of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Including a broad range of Disciples authors, the text represents the racial-ethnic, generational, and theological diversity that characterizes the denomination from a postmodern and postcolonial view. Contributors include: D. Newell Williams, James O. Duke, Verity Jones, William J. Nottingham, Hee An Choi, William Tabbernee, W. Clark Gilpin, Kristine A. Culp, Don Browning, Clark M. Williamson, Rita Nakashima Brock, Dyron Daughrity, Victor L. Hunter, Sharon E. Watkins, Keith Watkins, Thomas F. Best, Belva Brown Jordan, Stephanie A. Paulsell, Kay Bessler Northcutt, Mark Miller McLemore, Darryl Trimiew, Joe R. Jones, William Wright, Boseale Eale, Karen-Marie Yust, Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore, Joseph D. Driskill, Angel Luis Rivera-Agosto, Michael K. Kinnamon, Michael St. A. Miller, Carmelo Álvarez, Christobal Mareco Lird, Don A. Pittman, Carlos F. Cardoza-Orlandi, and Peter Goodwin Heltzel

The doctrine of the trinity is probably the most complex and mysterious topic in Christian theology, yet it impacts our understanding of many other doctrines. Pastor/Theologian Robert D. Cornwall brings his knowledge of church history to the task of examining this doctrine, looking at how it developed and what justifies its presence in Christian theology. He uses the history of his own Disciples of Christ tradition as one of the expressions of the Stone-Campbell movement, which avoids creeds very effectively in examining how we distinguish between the statements and events of scripture and our theological reflections on them. Can a doctrine not mentioned in scripture be of value? Are creeds necessary or even useful? Cornwall threads a careful course between the value of the creeds, and within them the doctrine of the trinity, in defining our ecumenical relationships and task on the one and, and on the other the danger of having creeds as a test of fellowship and faith. While rooted in his own denomination's traditions, this is very valuable to other denominations and movements as we examine what defines us while at the same time seeking freedom in non-essentials. This book is especially strong in examining the history of the development of this doctrine and connecting this to our ongoing reflection on scripture and what our tradition and experience provides. This short volume is valuable to all those who seek to understand the trinity not just as an element in a doctrinal system, but as it aids us in thinking about elements of our faith.

In the first meeting of the Relief Society, Sister Emma Smith said, “We are going to do something extraordinary.” She was right. The history of Relief Society is filled with examples of ordinary women who have accomplished extraordinary things as they have exercised faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Relief Society was established to help prepare daughters of God for the blessings of eternal life. The purposes of Relief Society are to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and provide relief by seeking out and helping those in need. Women fulfill these purposes as they seek, receive, and act on personal revelation in their callings and in their personal lives. This book is not a chronological history, nor is it an attempt to provide a comprehensive view of all that the Relief Society has accomplished. Instead, it provides a historical view of the grand scope of the work of the Relief Society. Through historical accounts, personal experiences, scriptures, and words of latter-day prophets and Relief Society leaders, this book teaches about the responsibilities and opportunities Latter-day Saint women are given in Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness.

Did you know that the global church is only a few years away from fulfilling Jesus' command to "make disciples of every nation?" And that Jesus explicitly tied his return to the completion of that task?In And Then the End Will Come, Douglas Cobb, founder of the Finishing Fund, provides a front-line account of the effort to finish Jesus' Great Commission in our lifetimes. He also explores nine other clues that Jesus is coming soon, including?the approaching 2000-year anniversary of the resurrection?the regathering of Israel?and the prophecies of Daniel Chapter 12.He makes the case that the return of Christ is at hand-perhaps in the next year or two, perhaps a little later, but assuredly very soon. And he offers practical instruction about what it means to "live holy and godly lives" as we look for the coming of our Lord and King.If you're discouraged about the craziness you see in the world today, And Then the End Will Come will offer you hope for better things soon to come-things so great that the Bible says no one can imagine how awesome they will be.