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The American Revolution of 1800: How Jefferson Rescued Democracy from Tyranny and Faction—and What This Means Today
by Dan SissonIn this brilliant historical classic, Dan Sisson provides the definitive window into key concepts that have formed the backdrop of our democracy: the nature of revolution, stewardship of power, liberty, and the ever-present danger of factions and tyranny. Most contemporary historians celebrate Jefferson’s victory over Adams in 1800 as the beginning of the two-party system, but Sisson believes this reasoning is entirely the wrong lesson. Jefferson saw his election as a peaceful revolution by the American people overturning an elitist faction that was stamping out cherished constitutional rights and trying to transform our young democracy into an authoritarian state. If anything, our current two-party system is a repudiation of Jefferson's theory of revolution and his earnest desire that the people as a whole, not any faction or clique, would triumph in government. Sisson's book makes clear that key ideas of the American Revolution did not reach their full fruition until the "Revolution of 1800," to which we owe the preservation of many of our key rights. With contributions by Thom Hartmann that bring out the book’s contemporary relevance, this fortieth anniversary edition contains new insights and reflections on how Jefferson’s vision can help us in our own era of polarization, corruption, government overreach, and gridlock.
Building the Future: Big Teaming for Audacious Innovation
by Susan Salter Reynolds Amy EdmondsonBuilding the FutureMachiavelli famously wrote, "There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things."That's what this book is about—innovation far more audacious than a new way to find a restaurant or a smart phone you can wear on your wrist. Amy C. Edmondson and Susan Salter Reynolds explore large-scale systemic innovation that calls for "big teaming": intense collaboration between professions and industries with completely different mindsets. This demands leadership combining an expansive vision with deliberative incremental action—not an easy balance. To explore the kind of leadership required to build the future we need, Edmondson and Reynolds tell the story of Living PlanIT. This award-winning "smart city" start-up was launched with a breathtakingly ambitious goal: creating a showcase high-tech city from scratch to pilot its software—quite literally setting out to build the future. This meant a joint effort spanning a truly disparate group of software entrepreneurs, real estate developers, city government officials, architects, construction companies, and technology corporations. By taking a close look at the work, norms, and values in each of these professional domains, we gain new insight into why teaming across fields is so challenging. And we get to know Living PlanIT's leaders, following them and their partners through cycles of hope, exhaustion, disillusionment, pragmatism, and renewal. There are powerful lessons here for anyone, in any industry, seeking to drive audacious innovation.
A Wesleyan Spiritual Reader
by Rueben P. JobA Wesleyan Spiritual Reader provides resources for a 26-week devotional experience. The volume includes Scripture, spiritual readings (primarily quotes from the writings of John Wesley), and an essay by the author. This material is woven into a pattern for daily prayer and reflection. This devotional experience will lead readers to live with Wesley's ideas and spirit as a window or vehicle for reaching God. Among the 26 themes explored are: Scriptural Christianity; Life in Christ; Reaching Out to the Poor; The Means of Grace; Holiness of Life; Justifying Grace; The Ministry of All God's People; Sanctifying Grace; and God's Love and Ours. While intended for devotional use by both clergy and laity, pastors will also find this a helpful resource for sermon preparation. This wonderful guide to deeper spirituality will become a cherished companion for all who seek to grow in faith and knowledge of God.
Untangling Faith Women's Bible Study Leader Guide: Reclaiming Hope in the Questions Jesus Asked
by Amberly NeeseYour questions can lead to a deeper faith and trust in God.Have you ever felt you struggled to find your faith footing? Join Amberly Neese in she explores the questions Jesus asked as a way to reclaim that faith. Chapters explore our own questions like Can God Be Trusted? and How Can I Grow in Faith. Amberly’s unique humor and wit help the whole group find their way through deep and rich issues of personal faith, doubt, and growth.Components for this six-week Bible study, each available separately, include a Participant Workbook with daily reading and reflection, a full Leader Guide to help plan full group sessions, and video sessions with six 20 to 25-minute segments (with closed captioning).
Calm: How to End Destructive Conflict in Your Church
by Mary Gladstone-Highland Kathryn E. Stokes Christina WichertGuide your church to proactively make decisions and deal with conflict.Calm: How to End Destructive Conflict in Your Church is a guidebook written for United Methodist churches and church leaders to help them proactively make decisions and deal with conflict.This book equips pastors and other leaders with the skills and tools necessary to engage in critical conversations that lead to healthy communities--churches that remain God-focused in times of conflict and tension. In addition to the four Modules, Calm includes the practical resources pastors, judicatory leaders, and others will need to lead congregations through the Modules.The Modules contain step-by-step instructions for planning and facilitating the Module sessions. They include detailed instructions and helpful tips for leading people through the Calm process of group activities, discussion, reflection, and times of worship. The book is a complete guide for leading this process, including instructions for the pastor and facilitator, helping to ensure success.The authors also provide clear adaptations for groups gathering virtually – an inescapable reality in the life of today's church. These adaptations both underscore and equip groups to take special care while engaging in the sensitive nature of conflict work in a virtual space.
The Art of Hospitality Companion Book Revised Edition: A Practical Guide for a Ministry of Radical Welcome
by Debi NixonCreate a culture of radical hospitality that surprises and delights guests beyond their expectations.The Art of Hospitality guides you and your church to creating a ministry of radical hospitality. While the main book is intended for pastors and church leaders, this Companion Book is designed for the whole congregation, to equip and inspire everyone to embrace a ministry of welcome. Engaging worship and intentional follow-up processes are important, but what compels guests to return to our churches is the warmth of our welcome and hospitality that goes beyond their expectations. In The Art of Hospitality, Yvonne Gentile and Debi Nixon guide you and your church creating radical hospitality that infiltrates the heart and culture of the entire congregation. Choose The Art of Hospitality main book for pastors and other leaders in the church. Choose the Companion Book for everyone else in the congregation.
Bible Stories for Grown-Ups: Reading Scripture with New Eyes
by Josh ScottRead the Bible for the first time – again. In Bible Stories for Grown-Ups: Reading Scripture with New Eyes pastor Josh Scott looks at familiar Bible stories and reveals new details and interpretations for an adult audience. This six-week Bible study will consider stories many read as children including Noah's Ark, the binding of Isaac, Jonah and the big fish, Jesus and Zacchaeus, Jesus healing a blind man, and the parable of the talents. Scott reimagines these stories and opens new visions for readers to understand well known pieces of Scripture in our current cultural environment.The book can be read alone or used by small groups, and can be used anytime throughout the year. Additional components include video teaching sessions featuring Josh Scott, and a comprehensive leader guide, making this perfect as a six-week group study done throughout the year.
The Message of Jesus Leader Guide: Words That Changed the World
by Adam HamiltonA fresh encounter with the words of Jesus.This Leader Guide contains everything needed to facilitate a 6-week study on The Message of Jesus, by Adam Hamilton. Helps include opening prayers, summaries, discussion questions and more.More than 3 billion people claim to follow Jesus. But aside from a few verses, how many actually know what he taught? In fact, much of what people think Jesus taught, he never said. In this six-week study, pastor and best-selling author Adam Hamilton explores six of the most important themes in Jesus's teachings, why they matter, and how they speak to us today. The book will explore Jesus’s preaching on the Kingdom of God, the Sermon on the Mount, the parables, the “I am” sayings in John, and more. Jesus's message is not only life-changing, but world-changing. Join Adam Hamilton in studying The Message of Jesus: Words That Changed the World. Other components for the study include a leader guide, and teaching video are available.
Knowing Who We Are: The Wesleyan Way of Grace
by Laceye C. WarnerDiscover what sets United Methodism apart. In this book, Laceye C. Warner invites you to a richer understanding of Wesleyan Christianity so you can have a clear sense of identity, better express your own beliefs, and deepen your connection with The United Methodist Church. She introduces you to important values and characteristics that make the Wesleyan way distinctive, including emphasizing God’s grace for all and sanctification as tangible transformation in your life, your community, and all creation. You’ll see how The United Methodist Church today is deeply rooted in the Christian tradition and a legacy of care, compassion, and active response to injustice in the world. And you’ll find that Christian faith in the Wesleyan tradition holds together personal faith and community life, along with a commitment to justice through ministry and service. Pick up this book and study it with your small group and discover a way of being Christian that fills you with joy, moves you to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, and spurs you to live with compassion and grace. The book can be read alone or used by small groups anytime throughout the year. Components include video teaching sessions featuring Laceye Warner and a comprehensive Leader Guide, making this perfect as a six-week group study. A companion book, Who We Are and What We Believe: 50 Questions about The UMC, is also available.
The Third Day Leader Guide: Living the Resurrection
by Tom Berlin Mark A. MillerOn the third day, he rose again.The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the six-week study, including session plans, activities, discussion questions, and multiple format options. In The Third Day: Living the Resurrection, Tom Berlin uses his gifts of storytelling and understanding the Scriptures to connect the reader to the experiences of several individuals around Jesus in his final days, focusing on new life and redemption rather than loss.Join Peter, Mary Magdalene, and Thomas as they feel the despair of losing Jesus and the surprise and joy that awaits them in the resurrection. This study traces events around these characters, along with Paul and the disciples at Emmaus, and how the resurrection transforms their lives.Additional components include the book, The Third Day: Living the Resurrection, and video teaching sessions featuring Tom(with closed captioning).
The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2020/2024
by United Methodist ChurchThe Guide to the Historical Record and Up-to-Date Policies and Practices for Governance of The United Methodist Church. This essential volume includes The United Methodist Church's current law, doctrine, administrative guidelines, and organizational procedures. Each General Conference amends The Book of Discipline, and the actions of the 2024 General Conference are reflected in the quadrennial revision. Freshly updated to reflect the latest General Conference actions, the new Discipline features a comprehensive list of bishops spanning from our early leaders, Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury to the 2024 episcopal elections. Additionally, it includes a revised historical statement, an expanded index, and is divided into six informative sections: The Constitution General Book of Discipline Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task The Ministry of All Christians Social Principles Organization and Administration
30 Days of Hope in an Unstable World: A Devotional Journal on the Book of Jeremiah
by Melissa Spoelstra30 devotions for learning to surrender to God’s will and rest your hope in Him alone.Finding hope can seem like a distant dream in a world filled with uncertainty and challenges. But in the Book of Jeremiah, God offers a message of hope that transcends the chaos of our daily lives, showing us that intentional living is possible even in an unstable world.Through this 30-day journey, you will learn how to conquer fear, worry, and doubt by surrendering your will to God and trusting Him. Each day includes Scripture, insightful readings, a prayer or prayer exercise, and writing prompts with space for journaling based on the day’s theme.Whether used alongside the Jeremiah: Daring to Hope in an Unstable World Women’s Bible Study or on its own, this devotion journal is a beautiful tool for those seeking to embark on a journey of hope through the teachings of Jeremiah.
A Peacock in the Land of Penguins: A Fable about Creativity and Courage
by Warren H. Schmidt BJ GallagherThis classic pioneering book provides keen insight into workplace diversity. With new tips, tools, and strategies for peacocks and penguins alike, your organization will flourish and take flight! Through the story of Perry the Peacock and his fine feathered friends, authors BJ Gallagher and Warren H. Schmidt bring to life the challenges of birds of different feathers who struggle to be successful in the conformity-minded Land of Penguins. Their travails illuminate the challenges of creating a pluralistic corporate culture in which the talent, energy, and commitment of all employees are fully engaged. People who have new ideas that differ from business as usual are often ignored or criticized for the very thing that makes them valuable: their originality and creativity. This unique book helps organizations break out of "penguin thinking" in order to tap into and leverage the creativity of diversity. Learn how to cultivate an organizational culture in which new ideas can flourish and innovation can take flight.
Project Team Dynamics: Enhancing Performance, Improving Results
by Lisa DiTullioGet to the Heart of Building Productive Project Teams!Companies that embrace the power of collaboration realize that the best way to solve complex problems is to build cohesive teams made up of members with different skills and expertise. Getting teams to work productively is at the heart of project management. Developing the structure for teams to work dynamically at a high level of efficiency and effectiveness is at the heart of this book.The author clearly outlines methods for creating and implementing a structure to deal with the inevitable difficulties that any team may encounter. With examples drawn from contemporary project management, she demonstrates the effectiveness of this straightforward approach and highlights the risks of not building a strong team culture.The author offers simple and proven techniques for:• Launching a team• Defining and clarifying the goals of the team• Implementing and reinforcing appropriate team behaviorsTo help ensure the delivery of on-time project objectives, the author also gives practical advice aimed at ensuring productive team meetings, encouraging information sharing, and moving the team toward solutions in the face of challenges and conflict.
The Improvisation Edge: Secrets to Building Trust and Radical Collaboration at Work
by Karen HoughThere are all kinds of books about building trust. But The Improvisation Edge is the only one that draws on the wisdom of those who are truly experts in the dynamics of trust-building: theatrical improvisers. Think about it: other than combat, no situation requires more extreme trust than improvisation. You have no script, costumes or set—nothing to depend on but your fellow improvisers. When you collaborate on such an intense level you intrinsically engender trust. Karen Hough describes four principles that will help leaders, managers, trainers, and front-line employees adopt the improviser’s mindset. You’ll learn techniques to create a positive environment, encourage fearless participation and selfless collaboration, play to your own and your colleagues’ strengths, and turn surprises, mistakes and disasters into opportunities for something new, unexpected and maybe better than you planned. The Improvisation Edge offers a fun, engaging and very hands-on way to build the kind of organizational trust and collaboration that makes breakthrough business results possible.
Responsible Restructuring: Creative and Profitable Alternatives to Layoffs
by Wayne F CascioFirms that restructure through downsizing are not more profitable than those that don't, and often end up hurting themselves in the long run. Responsible Restructuring draws on the results of an eighteen-year study of S&P 500 firms to prove that it makes good business sense to restructure responsibly-to avoid downsizing and instead regard employees as assets to be developed rather than costs to be cut. Wayne Cascio explodes thirteen common myths about downsizing, detailing its negative impact on profitability, productivity, quality, and on the morale, commitment, and even health of survivors. He uses real-life examples to illustrate successful approaches to responsible restructuring used by companies such as Charles Schwab, Compaq, Cisco, Motorola, Reflexite, and Southwest Airlines. And he offers specific, step-by-step advice on what to do-and what not to do-when developing and implementing a restructuring strategy that, unlike layoffs, leaves the organization stronger and better able to face the challenges ahead.
Federal Contracting Answer Book
by Terrence M. O'ConnorThousands of contracting professionals have relied on the Federal Contracting Answer Book as their trusted guide to the highly regulated world of government procurement. In each edition the book has offered timely and accurate answers to the questions that arise daily in this complex field. Now in its third edition, this answer book is even more comprehensive. Written by experts who have extensive experience working in and teaching government contracting, the book includes all the latest changes and requirements. The question-and-answer format enables quick look-up and a concise presentation of the information. In this edition, new questions and answers have been added on avoiding proposal errors, debriefings, procurement vocabulary, regulatory changes, and best practices. In addition to these updates and revisions, the third edition includes new chapters on earned value management, GSA schedules, and contractor qualifications.
Leadership Toolkit for Asians: The Definitive Resource Guide for Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling
by Jane HyunA timely sequel with breakthrough strategies from Jane Hyun, the author of Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling, to help Asian Americans build their leadership and influence skills by embracing their cultural strengths and mapping an achievable career path.How can Asian Americans lead and influence in a way that feels culturally authentic? 19 years after her groundbreaking book, global leadership strategist Jane Hyun unveils Leadership Toolkit for Asians a guide for Asian Americans to build their capacity to lead and influence with a blueprint that is achievable and culturally relevant. Asian Americans are the least likely demographic to be promoted or to have a mentor or sponsor they make up 13% of the professional workforce, but less than 3% of executive positions. This dynamic hurts everyone, and the solution calls us to embrace our unique perspectives while organizations create a more fertile environment for growing Asian talent. This toolkit-based on Hyun's work with thousands of leaders-is filled with self-assessments, checklists, quizzes, and stories of Asian American leaders to help you put ideas into action. It will show you how to leverage your life experiences to craft a bespoke leadership journey. Assess: Identify your goals, cultural values and assetsEquip: Navigate effectively with people who are different from you, push back against stereotypes, strengthen your networks, apply a developmental model to help you get thereTransform: Create your own model and engage advocates as you put it into practice
The Five Thieves of Happiness
by John B. Izzo , Ph.D.Stop Seeking Happiness; Just Get Out of Its Way!Happiness is our natural state, for each of us and for humanity as a whole, argues John Izzo. But that happiness is being stolen by insidious mental patterns that he depicts as thieves: the thief of control, the thief of conceit, the thief of coveting, the thief of consumption, and the thief of comfort. He discovered these thieves as he sought the true source of happiness during a year-long sabbatical, walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain and living in the Andes of Peru. This thoughtful and inspiring book describes the disguises these thieves wear, the tools they use to break into our hearts, and how to lock them out once and for all. Izzo shows how these same thieves of personal happiness are destroying society as well. This book will help us all discover, develop, and defend the happiness that is our true nature while creating a world we all want to live in.
Power and Love: A Theory and Practice of Social Change
by Adam KahaneA new approach, proven in the field, for making progress on our most important and difficult collective challenges Based on Kahane’s first-hand experiences working with teams of business, government and civil society leaders around the world Profound, personal and practical The two main ways that people try to solve their toughest group, community and societal problems are fundamentally flawed. They either push for what they want at all costs—in it’s most extreme form this means war—or try to completely avoid conflict, sweeping problems under the rug in the name of a superficial ”peace.” But there is a better way: combining these two seemingly contradictory approaches. Adam Kahane argues that each is a reflection of two distinct, fundamental drives: power, the single-minded desire to achieve one’s solitary purpose; and love, the drive towards unity. They are inextricable parts of human nature, so to achieve lasting change you have to able to work fluidly with both. In fact, each needs the other. As Martin Luther King put it, “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic.” Kahane delves deeply in the dual nature of power and love, exploring their complex and intricate interplay. With disarming honesty he relates how, through trial and error, he learned to balance between them, shifting from one to the other as though learning to walk—at first falling, then stumbling forward, and finally moving purposefully toward true, lasting reconciliation and progress. For the last twenty years Kahane has worked around the world on a variety of challenges: economic development, food security, health care, judicial reform, peace making, climate change. He has worked with diverse teams of leaders—executives and politicians, generals and guerillas, civil servants and trade unionists, community activists and United Nations officials, clergy and artists. He has seen, up close and personal, examples of inspiring progress and terrifying regress. Power and Love reports what he has learned from these hard-won experiences.
The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety: Defining the Path to Inclusion and Innovation
by Timothy R. ClarkThis book is the first practical, hands-on guide that shows how leaders can build psychological safety in their organizations, creating an environment where employees feel included, fully engaged, and encouraged to contribute their best efforts and ideas.Fear has a profoundly negative impact on engagement, learning efficacy, productivity, and innovation, but until now there has been a lack of practical information on how to make employees feel safe about speaking up and contributing. Timothy Clark, a social scientist and an organizational consultant, provides a framework to move people through successive stages of psychological safety. The first stage is member safety-the team accepts you and grants you shared identity. Learner safety, the second stage, indicates that you feel safe to ask questions, experiment, and even make mistakes. Next is the third stage of contributor safety, where you feel comfortable participating as an active and full-fledged member of the team. Finally, the fourth stage of challenger safety allows you to take on the status quo without repercussion, reprisal, or the risk of tarnishing your personal standing and reputation. This is a blueprint for how any leader can build positive, supportive, and encouraging cultures in any setting.
Catch!: A Fishmonger's Guide to Greatness
by Cyndi CrotherSeattle locals and tourists alike flock to Pike Place each day to watch the fish fly. But Pike Place Fish is about more than just crowd-pleasing entertainment --- there is an underlying philosophy at work that has made the market both wildly successful and internationally renowned. In an unusual combination of oral biography and practical business blueprint, Crother and the fishmongers take you behind the scenes at the famous market to illustrate the PPF philosophy and reveal the underlying assumptions that have made PPF the international phenomenon it is today. Catch! shows that to be "ordinary" is to be a victim of circumstances, responding to whatever comes one's way. To be "great" is to realize that anyone can live an extraordinary life. At Pike Place Fish, everyone is responsible for transforming themselves from ordinary to great by creating their own reality. The authors explore the issues of goals --- financial, personal and humanitarian --- and intention, showing how the crew itself creates these goals and works towards them in collaboration. Most importantly, Catch! examines the power of possibility and shows how you can achieve greatness in your own life. Catch! explores such guiding principles as coaching and acknowledgment that are lacking in many businesses, and shows that you, too, can be the prime mover in your own experience.
The Angels of Christmas Leader Guide: Hearing God's Voice in Advent
by Susan RobbExplore the four angelic visits surrounding the birth of Jesus with Susan Robb in The Angels of Christmas, a four-week Advent study. The Angels of Christmas: Hearing God’s Voice in Advent, a four-week Advent study by Susan Robb, explores the four angelic visits surrounding the birth of Jesus with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. In this study, the reader will explore the visits and dive deep into the history of the angel Gabriel–and other angels–in the Old Testament. The Angels of Christmas uses these four angelic appearances to discuss God’s presence in history and our lives today. The messages of the angels hold meaning for listeners both then and now.The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the four-week study including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.
Cross-Examined: Reading the Bible in Times of Division
by Josh ScottIncisive responses to society’s most pressing biblical questions.Does the Bible really say that women shouldn’t lead in the church or that the LGBTQ+ community can’t be included in the church? Does the Bible support racism, white supremacy, and Christian nationalism? Do we have to choose between an understanding of the Bible that has been weaponized for harm and exclusion or not engaging the Bible at all? This book explores what the Bible is and what it does (and, maybe more importantly, doesn’t) say about these important questions. The answers might surprise you.Through thoughtful analysis and personal transformation, Josh Scott invites you to rethink dominant interpretations and uncover new possibilities for justice, inclusivity, and generosity in faith. Perfect for those seeking a deeper connection with their beliefs or grappling with these pressing issues, Cross-Examined serves as both a guide and a conversation starter. Open your heart and mind to an alternative understanding of faith, and join the movement toward a future of hope, justice, and unity.
Perfectly Flawed Women's Bible Study: God Transforms Our Weaknesses into Strengths (A Women’s Bible Study on the Life of Peter)
by Lisa ToneyWe are all flawed, but God can turn those weaknesses into strengths. The apostle Peter’s passion and imperfections make him one of the Bible’s most loved and relatable people. Even when Peter gave up, gave in, and gave out, Jesus was there for him. Join Lisa Toney as she follows Peter through his time with Jesus, from the beginning of Jesus’s ministry to the Resurrection and through Pentecost, when Peter begins to live into his call. Along the way, discover the raw honesty of a man who veered from staunch devotion to moments of doubt, mirroring our own human struggles. In the six-week Bible study Perfectly Flawed, we see that there is an unparalleled power Jesus gives that can only be found in our weakness. We discover the strength of Jesus that is available to each of us. Learn to persevere in your faith, live confidently, and boldly step into God’s purpose for you. See how Peter’s story is an invitation to embrace imperfection, find strength in the relentless grace of God, and discover how each one of us is perfectly flawed but still deeply loved by God. The participant workbook includes five daily readings for each week, combining the study of Scripture with personal reflection, application, and prayer. Other components for the Bible study include a Leader Guide and teaching video available on DVD.