Michele Andrea Bowen made a name for herself years ago during the African-American inspirational fiction craze. Now, in Pastor Needs a Boo, she's back with an amazing journey of faith, drama, and love. It was a regular New Jerusalem Gospel United Church work day for Reverend Denzelle Flowers when Veronica Washington, Keisha Jackson, and Marsha Metcalf showed up after losing their jobs on the same day, same morning, and almost at the same time. Denzelle struggled to solve that first problem. The other problem—the lovely Marsha—would be much harder to solve. Denzelle didn't even know how to fight wanting to turn in the playah's card and getting "booed" up with the poster girl for "church girls." Marsha Metcalf and her fellow unemployed church members aren't Denzelle's biggest problem, though. He is running for bishop, and his enemies—a more ruthless consortium of corrupted clergy—want power badly enough to go to rather extreme lengths for it because the stakes are just that high. Now, his ex-wife was back and sleeping with the enemy, digging for dirt. Reverend Denzelle can't fight this battle alone. This pastor needs a ‘boo' who will stand by his side. Before the dust settles, both Marsha and Denzelle's faith and love will be put to the ultimate test.

This much-needed book fully integrates principles of pastoral care, leadership, and theology to restore to ministers a clearly defined pastoral identity. Moving from a critique of inadequate models for ministry -- from community organizer to T. V. evangelist -- Oden develops a more classical model, rich in its references to the past and compatible both with Christian faith and theology through the ages and with current needs. Reconciling classical tradition with practice, Pastoral Theology will be a standard resource and reference in the field. Oden distills the best ideas of the two millennia of ecumenical Christian thinking concerning what pastors are and do. Pastoral Theology provides the foundational knowledge of the pastoral office requisite to the practice of ministry. It will be of interest to persons preparing for ordination in its review of key issues; at the same time, Pastoral Theology will appeal to all those who have considered entering the ministry, those who want to know more about what clergy do and why, and those ministers who want to review their ongoing work in the light of a systematic reflection on the pastoral gifts and tasks.

Pastors and church leaders are constantly faced with strategic questions. How much staff does the church need? How many workers are needed in the nursery this month? When is the right time to start a second worship service? How many people should we train for evangelism this year? How does seating and parking impact worship attendance? When church leaders have questions about planning, running, or growing their churches, they need answers fast! What Every Pastor Should Know offers pastors and leaders 101 valuable rules and "sacred" laws to help answer real-life ministry questions. From advertising to facilities to visitation, this valuable book offers the practical help that leaders need, just when they need it most. This comprehensive guide will become one of the most valuable books in a leader's library. Never again will they wonder if they based critical decisions on the right information. They'll get the answers they're looking for all in one place.

A Publisher’s Weekly and ECPA bestseller A practical, straightforward guide for Christ-followers who want to talk about Jesus without feeling weird or pushy. Ten years ago, Hosanna Wong packed her life into suitcases and started traveling the country to talk to people about Jesus. She quickly discovered lies she had believed that held her back from actually sharing God’s love. It turns out, believing lies that you’re not enough, your story doesn’t matter, and there’s no way for you to make an impact… that’s how not to save the world. Through faithfully studying God’s Word and fumbling through her own flawed progress, Hosanna uncovered what the Bible says about revealing God’s love in our everyday lives. With honesty and humor, Hosanna will help you: Embrace your unique story to naturally talk about Jesus through your real life and authentic relationships; Discover the three most effective steps to take when fighting for a loved one who is in a tough place; Overcome the lies that hold you back so you can step into your calling and empower people to encounter God. It turns out, you can naturally share God’s love in your everyday life. You can fight for those you love, and a world Jesus loves. There is a way for every person you know to realize how valuable they are to God. You’ve been created for it, equipped for it, and you’re ready for it. Let’s go!

Most seminary graduates will begin their ministries with plenty of important head knowledge to share--but with a deficit of some of the most practical aspects of doing ministry, such as - which ministry role most suits them - how to start out strong at a new church - persevering during difficult seasons of ministry - leading meetings and delegating tasks - safeguarding their family - fighting discouragement, pastor envy, and a lack of contentment - navigating special ministry needs, such as hospitals, weddings, and funerals - and much more Through his hard-won wisdom, Jason Helopoulos comes alongside new pastors as a trusted friend and mentor, ready to guide them through their first years of ministry with intelligence and compassion.

Keisha Jackson worked hard for everything she ever got. After years of saving her pennies to pay off her business degree, she's finally working at her dream job as Director of Purchasing at Evangeline T. Marshall University. But when University politics leave Keisha stabbed in the back and without a job, she has two choices-sulk and dial up a fling from her "little pink book," or get herself in gear and call Reverend Flowers. With two other women down on their luck already in the Pastor's Aid Club, the Reverend's going to have to get creative if he's to keep Keisha on the payroll-and keep her soul saved as well... Bay Bowser has been crushing on Keisha for years. Always downgraded to friend status, he's been there every time Keisha wants to talk about one of those fools she hangs around with from her "little pink book." So when the Reverend Flowers suggests that Keisha and Bay start the Sunday Soul Singles Club for all the church folk in his parish without someone special, Bay is happy to do anything that will get him closer to Keisha. But what starts as casual research into the most popular Singles Ministry leads to something much darker-a sinister plan put into action by a group of merciless men, threatening everything that Keisha holds dear. And if she and Bay are to come out of this in one piece, Keisha will have to admit that the Singles Club has led her to her soulmate...

Bestselling author Michele Andrea Bowen follows up Pastor Needs a Boo with Praying Like Crazy , another story of drama, faith, and love, set in the black church, about the four women of the Pastor's Aide Club. Veronica Washington gets fired from her high-profile PR job before she even has a chance to step in the building--frantic, upset, she believes she has fallen as low as 'she can get'. But when her moment of hardship leads her directly to Charles Robinson, the sharp-dressed and undeniably fine owner of Rumpshakers Hip-Hop Gentlemen's Club, her problems only compound. Veronica cannot deny that, despite his occupation, Charles is a true gentleman and is willing to spend as much time as it takes to help her get back on her feet. What Veronica doesn't know is the true reason behind Charles' 21st Century brand of chivalry. Despite being surrounded constantly by gorgeous women, Charles is drawn to Veronica. Beautiful as any magazine-cover-worthy celebrity, and smart as a whip, she's the kind of companion Charles can never have-she's a saved woman, and the difference between her life and Charles's is just too great. But bigger issues are on the horizon for them. Veronica getting fired only scratches the surface of a much more sinister plot involving a host of shady characters. As immoral men, just barely on the right side of the law, and a former Mafia man move in on Charles, it's going to take a whole lot more than his bank account to keep his enemies at bay. What he'll need most of all is a good woman by his side, and enough faith to pray like crazy.

Pastors are tasked with the incredibly demanding job of caring for the spiritual, emotional, and, at times‚ physical needs of their people. While seminary is helpful preparation for many of the challenges pastors face, there’s far more to pastoral ministry than what can be covered in the classroom. Designed as a reference guide for nearly every situation a pastor will face, this comprehensive book by seasoned pastors Kent Hughes and Doug O’Donnell is packed full of biblical wisdom and practical guidance related to the reality of pastoral ministry in the trenches. From officiating weddings to conducting funerals to visiting the sick, this book will equip pastors and church leaders with the knowledge they need to effectively minister to their flocks, both within the walls of the church and beyond.

When the members of the Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church prepare for its one-hundredth anniversary celebration, the unexpected death of the pastor sets the congregation at odds over who the replacement pastor should be.

From bestselling author Michele Andrea Bowen, the uproarious sequel to her hit novel Church Folk. It is now 1986, and the preachers of the Gospel United Church are preparing for their much-anticipated Triennial General Conference. The last time readers encountered the good Rev. Theophilus Simmons, he was a newlywed and the pastor of a modest-sized congregation in Memphis. Now he's the father of three and running a congregation in St. Louis. His best friend, Rev. Eddie Tate, is now with a fast growing church in Chicago, but he is getting real frustrated with the way things are run in the Gospel United Church. Marcel Brown and his father, Ernest, along with Sonny Washington and Bishop Larsen Giles have had two decades to perfect their slimy methods of "tapping" church funds and other misdeeds. Now they've found a secret weapon that will allow them to make fast money and accomplish what they failed to do 20 years ago--buy off enough power to dominate the entire denomination, put their cronies in key spots, and ransack the church like it is the spoils of war. It won't be long before the two opposing sides face off..."church-folk" style.