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Servants of Allah: African Muslims Enslaved in the Americas
by Sylviane A. DioufExplores the stories of African Muslim slaves in the New World. The author argues that although Islam as brought by the Africans did not outlive the last slaves, "what they wrote on the sands of the plantations is a successful story of strength, resilience, courage, pride, and dignity. " She discusses Christian Europeans, African Muslims, the Atlantic slave trade, literacy, revolts, and the Muslim legacy. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc. , Portland, OR
Servants of Satan: The Age of the Witch Hunts
by Joseph KlaitsHow the persecution of witches reflected the darker side of the central social, political, and cultural developments of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.This is the first book to consider the general course and significance of the European witch craze of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries since H.R. Trevor-Roper’s classic and pioneering study appeared some fifteen years ago. Drawing upon the advances in historical and social-science scholarship of the past decade and a half, Joseph Klaits integrates the recent appreciations of witchcraft in regional studies, the history of popular culture, anthropology, sociology, and psychology to better illuminate the place of witch hunting in the context of social, political, economic and religious change.“In all, Klaits has done a good job. Avoiding the scandalous and sensational, he has maintained throughout, with sensitivity and economy, an awareness of the uniqueness of the theories and persecutions that have fascinated scholars now for two decades and are unlikely to lose their appeal in the foreseeable future.” —American Historical Review“This is a commendable synthesis whose time has come . . . fascinating.” —The Sixteenth Century Journal“Comprehensive and clearly written . . . An excellent book.” —Choice“Impeccable research and interpretation stand behind this scholarly but not stultifying account.” —Booklist“A good, solid, general treatment.” —Erik Midelfort, C. Julian Bishko Professor Emeritus of History and Religious Studies, University of Virginia“A well written, easy to read book, and the bibliography is a good source of secondary materials for further reading.” —Journal of American Folklore
Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership
by Don N. Howell Jr.Leadership is a subject that has gained impressive visibility in the past two decades. The number of books, monographs and articles, as well as seminars, devoted to the development of one's leadership skills has been almost exponential growth. This study is an attempt to forge a full-orbed theology of Christian leadership grounded in the teaching of Scripture. What emerges from tracing the theme of leadership through the biblical record is a servanthood pattern, one that is wholly distinct from prevailing secular models. Our exposition begins with the biblical language of the servant, the term of choice for those great leaders used of God to further his saving purposes in the world. Eleven Old Testament and five New Testament leaders are profiled. The portrait of Jesus Christ focuses on three motifs that governed his training of the twelve for kingdom ministry. The Pauline letters are mined for those convictions that governed Paul's practice of leadership, both of his mission team and of the faith communities that emerged from that mission. The treatment of each leader, from Joseph to Paul, begins with a series of preliminary questions and concludes with a mini-profile that correlates the biblical data with these questions. The final chapter offers a summary profile of the servant leader, one whose character, motives and agenda align with the divine purposes. Though designed as a textbook for upper level college and seminary courses on leadership, the book's readable format is ideal for churches and parachurch organizations in their leadership training programs. The author's prayer is that this work will serve as a catalyst to call God's people back to Scripture and thereby raise up a whole new generation of authentic servant-leaders.
The Servants of Twilight: A dark and compulsive thriller
by Dean KoontzA religious cult takes its faith to the extreme... In The Servants of Twilight by Dean Koontz, a mother must fight unimaginable evil to save her child. Perfect for fans of Richard Laymon and Harlan Coben. 'Koontz's skill at edge-of-the-seat writing has improved with each book. He can scare our socks off' - Boston HeraldTo his mother, Joey seems an ordinary six-year-old boy - special to her, but to no one else. To the Servants of Twilight, however, he is an evil presence who must be destroyed - an Anti-Christ who must die.The terrifying ordeal for Joey and his mother begins in the supermarket car park where an old woman accosts them and pursues them with her terrible threats. Christine's world is turned into a nightmare of terror. Only her love for her child, and the support of the one man who believes her, gives her the chance to survive the Servants of Twilight... What readers are saying about The Servants of Twilight: 'This book will shake you to your very foundations. Stunning, compulsive narrative. Real, unadulterated fear in a quality plot''A classic Koontz tale that makes the face pale, the heart stop and stretches the nerve endings to virtually snapping point!''Devilishly good!'
Serve Strong: Biblical Encouragement to Sustain God's Servants
by Terry PowellServe Strong helps volunteers as well as vocational Christian workers combat discouragement, persevere through weariness, and cultivate endurance for the long haul.Serve the Lord long enough and discouragement or some form of opposition is inevitable. Joy-sapping workloads, feelings of inadequacy, lack of fruitfulness, or battle fatigue from spiritual warfare often spurs God's servants to quit or sabotages their passion. The purpose of this book is to infuse them with biblical perspectives that buoy flagging spirits, boost motivation, and cultivate endurance.
Service: Ministry with Heart and Hands (LifeGuide Bible Studies)
by R. Paul StevensIn this LifeGuide Bible Study includes ten sessions exploring service in a variety of contexts: family, the physical creation, society, the city, neighbors, relationships, the church and the workplace. Looking inside ministry specifically, R. Paul Stevens examines examples of service that were motivated by imagination, passion, faith, hope and love—from Genesis to Revelation. Out of these studies you will discover how to live and serve wholeheartedly. No matter what your profession, you are a full time minister of Jesus Christ. For over three decades LifeGuide Bible Studies have provided solid biblical content and raised thought-provoking questions—making for a one-of-a-kind Bible study experience for individuals and groups. This series has more than 130 titles on Old and New Testament books, character studies, and topical studies.
Service: Living a Yielded Life (Building Character Together)
by Todd Wendorff Brett Eastman Dee Eastman Denise WendorffWhat does it take to build character? How do you instill godly qualities inside yourself that are displayed consistently through words, actions, and attitudes that reflect what Jesus himself is like? Building Character Together takes you and your small group inside the Bible to learn character-building lessons from some of its most compelling figures. In six enjoyable, interactive sessions, each volume in this six-volume series helps you deeply explore the complex issues of developing Christian character. Combining study, discussion, and shared experiences, here is a pathway to growth both individually and as a group. Explore the lives of David, Mary Magdalene, Jacob, and other men and women of the Bible. Learn lessons from their successes and failures and from their relationships with God and other people that you can readily link to yourself and your own life circumstances. Enjoy frank discussions that draw you and other group members deeper into each others’ lives. And put it all into action in a one-day group retreat, a service project, a mini-mission work, and other experiences that help you make the leap from good words to good works.
Service Leadership: How Having a Calling Makes the Workplace More Effective
by Theodore Malloch Richard J. GoossenWhat will motivate an organization’s employees to be fully engaged in the corporate purpose? How can a company be more supportive of each individual’s pursuit of workplace meaning? Service Leadership answers these questions and more. “Service leadership” is the recognition and cultivation of the varied interests and beliefs of employees on their quest for purpose at work. An organization will not get the most out of its staff unless it respects each individual’s framework for the pursuit of meaning, which is often done in the context of spirituality and religion. Service leadership takes many forms and is not the same for everyone. People can and want to learn how to become service leaders. Service Leadership shows how these ideas can be implemented through a detailed framework. Extensive research confirms that organizations that do not address the existing core belief systems of employees will be disadvantaged in the marketplace. Interviews with top executives at organizations like Whole Foods, Facebook, Gloria Jean’s Coffee, and Costco shed light on how both companies and employees can utilize service leadership to find and keep meaning in the workplace, improving both job happiness and performance.
The Service of Faith: An Ethnography of Mennonites and Development
by Philip FountainFounded over a century ago, the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is regarded as one of the most important institutional carriers of Canadian and American Mennonite identity. Generations of Mennonites and others have served with the organization, carrying out development, disaster relief, and peacebuilding work in over fifty countries globally. The Service of Faith offers an ethnography of MCC’s Christian development work in Indonesia, exploring the challenges, conundrums, theologies, and ethical commitments that shape Mennonite service.The success of religious-based development work depends on effectively bridging very different cultural and religious worlds. Braiding together extensive ethnographic and archival research, Philip Fountain analyzes MCC’s practices of cultural translation in the Indonesian context. While the particularities of Mennonite religious values are deeply influential for MCC’s work, in practice its humanitarian project involves collaboration with a range of actors who come from widely varied religious positions. In taking a nuanced, case-specific approach to understanding how faith shapes moral projects, Fountain challenges mainstream claims to secular neutrality and the tendency to dismiss or disapprove of religious motivations in development work.Exploring the diverse ways in which Mennonite convictions permeate MCC’s work in Indonesia, The Service of Faith confronts the question of whether religion has a legitimate place in international development work.
Serving a Movement: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City (Center Church)
by Timothy KellerIn Serving a Movement, best-selling author and pastor Timothy Keller looks at the nature of the church&’s mission and its relationship to the work of individual Christians in the world. He examines what it means to be a &“missional&” church today and how churches can practically equip people for missional living. Churches need to intentionally cultivate an integrative ministry that connects people to God, to one another, to the needs of the city, and to the culture around us. Finally, he highlights the need for intentional movements of churches planting new churches that faithfully proclaim God&’s truth and serve their communities.This new edition contains the third section of Center Church in an easy-to-read format with new reflections and additional essays from Timothy Keller and several other contributors.
Serving as a Church Greeter (Zondervan Practical Ministry Guides)
by Leslie Parrott Paul E. EngleFor: •Individual use •Group training Greeters are the welcoming arms that people long to find in a church. This practical guidebook will help you reach out to people who need to experience the warmth of belonging to a church family. Serving as a Church Greeter sheds light on •The Ministry of Church Greeters •The Need for Warmhearted Greeters •Developing a User-Friendly Foyer •A Better Way of Doing Things •The Parking Lot Ministry Zondervan Practical Ministry Guides provide you with simple, practical insights for serving in today’s churches. Written by experienced pastors and church workers, these easy-to-read, to-the-point booklets address the fundamentals of different ministries as practiced effectively in real life. You’ll find biblical insight and wise, field-tested advice you can apply today, as well as discussion questions to help you think through and integrate what you read.
Serving as Senders Today: How to Care for Your Missionaries
by Neal PiroloServing As Senders: How to Care for Your Missionaries While They are Preparing to Go, While They are on the Field and When They Return Home. The title says it all! A missionary needs care in at least six areas: Moral Support, Logistics Support, Financial Support, Prayer Support, Communication Support, and Reentry Support. This book gives scores of practical ideas in how a team can provide the necessary care for a missionary. Chapter One tells "when" and "why" a missionary needs care. Chapters Two through Seven deal with each of the six areas of care. Chapter Eight brings it back to the individual's involvement in care giving. "I strongly believe that this is one of the most significant missionary books of this decade. Unless the Church and God's people respond to its message, the work of reaching the unreached is going to be greatly hindered. Every committed sender needs to get involved in distributing this book." -- George Verwer, Operation Mobilization "This key book makes the strategic point that mobilizers--the senders--are as crucial to the cause of missions as frontline missionaries. It is a book just crammed with solid, exciting insights on the most hurting link in today's mission movement." -- Dr. Ralph Winter, U.S. Center for World Mission.
Serving by Safeguarding Your Church (Zondervan Practical Ministry Guides #No. 4)
by Robert H. Welch Paul E. EngleFor: ·Individual use ·Group training Includes diagrams, checklists, and resource lists Church ought to be the safest place on earth. Here’s how to fulfill that goal in practical ways, from developing a security structure and team, to assessing interior and exterior building security, training ushers and greeters to be sensitive to security, forming an emergency reaction team, establishing financial accountability, and much more. Serving by Safeguarding Your Church takes you through the ins and outs of ·Building for Security ·Organizing for Security ·Taking Actions to Improve Security ·Dealing with Keys, Alarms, and Security Systems Zondervan Practical Ministry Guides provide you with simple, practical insights for serving in today’s churches. Written by experienced pastors and church workers, these easy-to-read, to-the-point booklets address the fundamentals of different ministries as practiced effectively in real life. You’ll find biblical insight and wise, field-tested advice you can apply today, as well as discussion questions to help you think through and integrate what you read.
Serving God in a Migrant Crisis: Ministry to People on the Move (Operation World Resources)
by Dean Merrill Stephan Bauman Patrick Johnstone"God has used migration for millennia to achieve his purposes for his people," writes Patrick Johnstone. "He is doing so again in our time." Millions are on the move, driven by war, drought, terrorism, poverty, failed states, environmental catastrophes, disease, revolutions, and the desire for a better life. Christians have a unique perspective on the migrant crisis: after all, Jesus was a refugee. So were Abraham, Joseph, and Moses. Today, some turn their backs on refugees. In Serving God in a Migrant Crisis, Patrick Johnstone and Dean Merrill help us understand what's causing today's refugee crisis, explore Christian theology and tradition on migration, and show us how Christian workers around the globe are opening their hearts to embrace these modern outcasts. "The world has literally come to our doorstep," they write. "Will we open the door?"
Serving God in Today's Cities: Facing the Challenges of Urbanization (Operation World Resources (ows) Ser.)
by Dean Merrill Ed Stetzer Patrick JohnstoneWelcome to the world's first urban century. How will you respond? For the first time ever, more people now live in cities than outside them. Cities offer both big headaches and vast opportunities, and agencies that once focused on rural work are increasingly turning their attention to urban centers. Join veteran researcher and missiologist Patrick Johnstone as he explores the fastest growing cities and megacities in the world, showing how Christian workers are addressing people's spiritual, physical, and social needs. In 1962 Patrick Johnstone left England's countryside to serve the bustling townships of apartheid-era South Africa. His pioneering of urban ministries changed his life. Journey with Patrick and Dean Merrill as they share God's heart for the city and introduce pastors, missionaries, and community workers who are addressing urbanization's key challenges. God has a heart for today's cities. See how you can join this urgent mission.
Serving God, Saving the Planet Guidebook: A Call to Care for Creation and Your Soul
by J. Matthew SleethServing God, Saving the Planet is a study that will broaden the conversation with a focus on the dangers of materialism, workaholism, and spiritual bankruptcy—as well as God’s endless invitations for us to enjoy what he has created. This twelve-session study provides simple, everyday ways to focus on stewardship and sustainability according to Scripture. In the first six sessions, Dr. Matthew Sleeth explores his personal salvation experience and desire to follow Jesus in the context of the love story God tells in Genesis. Dr. Sleeth guides readers through each of the created elements, reminding them of the God-given commission to “tend and protect the planet.” In the final six sessions, Dr. Sleeth examines how God's original command to “tend and protect the planet” extends into the actions and activities of every Christian’s everyday lives. Designed for use with the video.
Serving in Church Visitation (Zondervan Practical Ministry Guides)
by Paul E. Engle Jerry M. StubblefieldFor: •Individual use •Group training Includes self-assessment and do’s and don’ts for various special-needs situations. Whether visiting people in their homes, in the hospital, or in a restaurant over a cup of coffee, the simple act of connecting with others is filled with powerful possibilities. The act of friendship is an inroad to hearts and lives that creates trust, value, and incredible potential for ministry. Serving in Church Visitation helps you to •Be Motivated: How Does the Bible Model the Importance of Visitation? •Be Prepared: What Kind of Person Makes a Good Visitor? •Be Informed: What Kind of Visits Are Possible? •Be Involved: What Kind of Inreach Visits Can Be Made? •Be Equipped: How Should Scripture and Prayer Be Used? Zondervan Practical Ministry Guides provide you with simple, practical insights for serving in today’s churches. Written by experienced pastors and church workers, these easy-to-read, to-the-point booklets address the fundamentals of different ministries as practiced effectively in real life. You’ll find biblical insight and wise, field-tested advice you can apply today, as well as discussion questions to help you think through and integrate what you read.
Serving in Your Church Music Ministry (Zondervan Practical Ministry Guides)
by Paul E. Engle Randall D. EngleFor: •Individual use •Group training Includes instrumentalist survey and worship planning checklist Worship is a slice of eternity that Christians can participate in on earth, and nothing can facilitate our experience of worship like music. This wise, concise guidebook will help you harness your God-given musical talent as a gift to the body of Christ, in a way that brings joy to both God’s heart and yours. Serving in Your Church Music Ministry discusses •Words on Worship •Planning for Worship •Serving at the Keyboard •Serving with Your Voice •Serving with an Instrument •Serving in the Pew Zondervan Practical Ministry Guides provide you with simple, practical insights for serving in today’s churches. Written by experienced pastors and church workers, these easy-to-read, to-the-point booklets address the fundamentals of different ministries as practiced effectively in real life. You’ll find biblical insight and wise, field-tested advice you can apply today, as well as discussion questions to help you think through and integrate what you read.
Serving in Your Church Nursery (Zondervan Practical Ministry Guides)
by Paul E. Engle Julia A. Spohrer· For Individual use · Group training Photocopyable resources include: job descriptions, caregiver interview form, staff evaluation survey, guidelines for nursery use, information card, and incident report form A well-run nursery is a tremendous asset to a church. The responsibilities are demanding, but with prayer, patience, and commitment, you can minimize the frustrations and maximize the difference you make in the lives of children ages three and under and their parents. Whether you’re leading your church’s nursery ministry, serving in it, or just thinking of getting involved, you will welcome the expert insights, encouragement, and resources this book offers. Serving in Your Church Nursery sheds light on ·Developing a vision ·Gathering a team ·Evaluating and setting goals ·Setting up the nursery environment ·Policies, procedures, and job descriptions ·Recruiting, screening, training, and safety issues ·Age groups, insights on learning, separation anxiety, and more Zondervan Practical Ministry Guides provide you with simple, practical insights for serving in today’s churches. Written by experienced pastors and church workers, these easy-to-read, to-the-point booklets address the fundamentals of different ministries as practiced effectively in real life. You’ll find biblical insight and wise, field-tested advice you can apply today, as well as discussion questions to help you think through and integrate what you read.
Serving Like Christ (Experiencing Christ Together)
by Karen Lee-Thorp Todd Wendorff Brett Eastman Dee Eastman Denise Wendorff"Each of your students is a unique creation. Some are funny, some serious, some industrious, others are more thoughtful. Together, they make up the body of Christ and are each called to serve in their own special way. Serving Like Christ Together helps students discover ways to serve God by serving others. Six sessions unpack and explain the aspects of a servant’s heart that Jesus values most: • Humility and Sacrifice: redefining what it means to be successful • Seeing Christ in Others: learning to serve God by serving his people • Compassion: seeing need and taking action • The Holy Spirit: relying on the Holy Spirit to direct and fuel service • Bondslaves: understanding what it means to be a slave to Christ • Serving Outsiders: discovering the joy of helping difficult people Service gives students a chance to discover their gifts, build friendships inside and outside the group, and refocus their priorities on something larger than themselves."
Serving Local Schools: Bring Christ's Compassion to the Core of Your Community
by Chuck BomarThe heartbeat of every local community is found in its local schools. Yet many Christians have little to no connection with school leaders, and few churches have an active ministry presence. If you want to effectively reach your community, you must take the time to invest in school administrators, teachers, and families. Not having a relationship just isn’t an option. Many schools today are facing budget crises’ and financial shortfalls or declining enrollment. School leaders and teachers are more open than ever before to partnering with parents, neighbors, and churches in a sustainable way. This book shares stories and examples of how schools and churches can work together for the common good of students and the community. You’ll gain a better understanding of the laws defining the line of separation between church and state, and you will learn how to best approach school leaders with creative ideas for working together. Serving Local Schools provides biblical support and practical resources to equip individuals and churches to meet the needs of local schools while faithfully witnessing to the good news found in Jesus Christ.
Serving the Amish: A Cultural Guide for Professionals (Young Center Books in Anabaptist and Pietist Studies)
by James A. CatesThe first comprehensive cultural guide for professionals who interact with Amish individuals and communities.Serving the Amish is a targeted guide for professionals who care for or interact with Plain people: doctors, nurses, law enforcement officers, judges, social workers, psychotherapists, and addiction counselors, among others. For these professionals, knowing the "what" of Amish life is not enough. They must go deeper, understanding the "why"—the ideologies that both drive and bind this community in a system of beliefs that seems alien to those who embrace the technological and social turbulence of the twenty-first century. James A. Cates draws heavily on his experiences as a clinical psychologist in private practice in northeastern Indiana, a region that is home to more than 35,000 Amish people. He combines anecdotal evidence and first-person narrative to shed light on the social, emotional, and psychological foundations of Amish life to help professionals interact competently and build rapport with Amish clients. He also explains the unique challenges outsiders face in offering aid to a people whose lifestyle and rules dictate a distance from all things worldly. This practical book balances evidence-based principles of care with an emphasis on reducing anxiety and establishing warm relationships. From the police officer dispersing a party full of Amish Youngie to the social worker staffing a child protective services hotline, professionals who work with the Amish will benefit from this one-of-a-kind guide.
Serving Those in Need: A Handbook for Managing Faith-Based Human Services Organizations
by Edward L. Queen IIGiven the increased pressures and higher demand on social-service organizations, faith-based providers must find ways to increase their effectiveness while maintaining their religious distinctiveness.
Serving Up a Sweetheart: A February Wedding Story (A Year of Weddings Novella)
by Cheryl WyattThey’ve helped orchestrate the perfect day for countless couples. Now twelve new couples will find themselves in the wedding spotlight in the second Year of Weddings novella collection. Meadow knows how to serve delicious food to match any wedding theme. But can she accept love when it's served up on a silver platter? During one of the biggest weeks of her catering career, Meadow Larson’s kitchen roof caves in after an unrelenting blizzard. She has to accept help from the last person on earth she wants to see: Colin McGrath. The tormentor from her past is now a contractor, her new neighbor—and the only person available to take on a project of this size. Colin is aware God has given him a second chance to make things right with Meadow after bullying her in high school. After years of regret and guilt, Colin is determined to earn her respect and forgiveness, no matter what it takes. It’ll take an extreme kitchen renovation, several cooking lessons, a little lace, and a lot of grace, but God is using this renovation project not only to restore Meadow’s heart, but also to restore Colin’s integrity in her eyes. Will Meadow learn to trust the new Colin even as their relationship grows from a business exchange to something more meaningful?