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A Trusted Resource for Christian Mental Health Professionals, Now Updated Navigate the complexities of mental health from a Christian worldview with Modern Psychopathologies. Written by well-known and respected scholars Mark A. Yarhouse, Barrett W. McRay, and Richard E. Butman, this classic textbook, now in its third edition, provides a comprehensive introduction to the major psychopathologies identified in contemporary mental health care.Chapters address categories of psychological problems and offer overviews of current research on etiology, treatment, and prevention. Topics covered include: Issues related to anxiety, mood, addiction, trauma, and more Biological and sociocultural foundations of mental illness Insight for conducting responsible care in an imperfect system The authors also explore methods of classifying disorders in historical pastoral care and contemporary mental health care. In addition to the biological and sociocultural foundations of mental illness, they reflect on the relation between psychopathology and the Christian understanding of sin.Whats new in the third edition: Updates according to the DSM-5-TR New content on social and cultural influences, trauma, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and more Discussion of different classification models for personality disorders Incorporates new insights and references from the latest ten years of research Modern Psychopathologies is a unique and trusted resource for Christian students, professors, and mental health professionals. Whether you are studying psychology and counseling or providing counseling services, pastoral care, or spiritual direction, this book equips you to understand, evaluate, and contribute to mental health care with clarity, compassion, and conviction.About the Series Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) Books explore how Christianity relates to mental health and behavioral sciences including psychology, counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy in order to equip Christian clinicians to support the well-being of their clients.

When was the church founded? Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God and not of a religious organization subsequently called church. We dont find in the Gospels expressions which make reference to the foundation of a new religious community, a new and distinct community of followers of Jesus. But after the resurrection of Jesus, his followers, as a result of his express command, gather together not only those from the people of Israel but men and women of all nations.The final clauses of the Nicene Creed spell out, briefly and to the point, the churchs self-understanding in these early centuries. Angelo Di Berardino assembles a wide range of texts and teachers of the church during these years to enrich our understanding and deepen our faith in the great mysteries expressed here.The Creed quickly hits the four marks of the churchthat it is "one holy catholic and apostolic." What do we mean by professing each of these? Di Berardino helps us to give an answer with the help of the fathers of the church.The volume closes, as does the Creed, with a consideration of baptism (the traditional entrance for people into the church) and two central features of the church in the futurethe expectation that all of Gods people will enjoy the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.The five-volume Ancient Christian Doctrine series follows up on the acclaimed Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture to provide patristic commentary on the Nicene Creed, translating source material from the church fathers into English for unparalleled insight into early church history.

"Who do you say that I am?" This question that Jesus asked of his disciples, so central to his mission, became equally central to the fledgling church. How would it respond to the Gnostics who answered by saying Jesus was less than fully human? How would it respond to the Arians who contended he was less than fully God? It was these challenges that ultimately provoked the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325.In this Ancient Christian Doctrine volume covering the first half of the article in the Nicene Creed on God the Son, John Anthony McGuckin shows how it countered these two errant poles by equally stressing Jesus authentic humanity (that is, his fleshliness and real embodiment in space and time) and his spiritual glory or full divinity.One cottage industry among some historical theologians, he notes, has been to live in a fever of conspiracy theory where orthodox oppressors dealt heavy-handedly with poor heretics. Or the picture is painted of ancient grassroots inclusivists being suppressed by establishment elites. The reality was far from such romantic notions. It was in fact the reverse.The church who denounced these errors did so in the name of a greater inclusivity based on common sense and common education. The debate was conducted generations before Christian bishops could ever call on the assistance of secular power to enforce their views. Establishing the creeds was not a reactionary movement of censorship but rather one concerned with the deepest aspects of quality control.Ultimately, what was and is at stake is not fussy dogmatism but the central gospel message of Gods stooping "down in mercy to enter the life of his creatures and share their sorrows with them. He has lifted up the weak and the broken to himself, and he healed their pain by abolishing their alienation."The five-volume Ancient Christian Doctrine series follows up on the acclaimed Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture to provide patristic commentary on the Nicene Creed, translating source material from the church fathers into English for unparalleled insight into early church history.

"The Spirit blows where it pleases," Jesus said to Nicodemus."You hear its sound but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."The Spirit, like the wind, is hard to pin down. Any discussion of the Spirit is fraught with the difficulty of speaking about something or someone who defies definition and who purposely averts attention from himself toward someone else. So it is with the Spirit. And so it is with the churchs reception of and conversation about the Spirit, even in its early centuries. It is hard to pin down, and the churchs voice on the Spirit has been about as loud as the whisper of the wind that indicates the Spirits presence.The churchs teaching on the Holy Spirit is perhaps what Nicolas Berdayev has called "the last unexplored theological frontier." In these latter days of the church, this "final frontier" is receiving increasing attention. The rise of the Pentecostal movement, the engaged witness of the Orthodox churches, which have historically been more sensitive to the role of the Spirit, coupled with the fact that people in general are looking for a deeper and more relational faith, perhaps help explain in part the increased attention the Spirit is getting.It is appropriate then that the base camp of this exploration be established in the early understanding of the church on these matters. Following the outline of the succinct third article of the Nicene Creed, Joel Elowsky opens up to us vistas of the Holy Spirit with expertly selected passages from ancient Christian writings.This portion of the Creed, apart from the filioque, is largely uncontroversial. The full deity of the Spirit is highlighted not so much by theological definition as by the emphasis on worship and action. While the Creed itself does not speak directly of the work of the Spirit in justification, sanctification and the like, the early church theologians nevertheless had much to say on these issues. Here we see clearly how the Spirit is "giver of life."The five-volume Ancient Christian Doctrine series follows up on the acclaimed Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture to provide patristic commentary on the Nicene Creed, translating source material from the church fathers into English for unparalleled insight into early church history.

"We believe in one God, the Father." The opening clause of the Nicene Creed can be summed up in a single wordmonotheism. In the early centuries of the church, this striking doctrine stood starkly against a cultural background of multiple deities and spiritual powers. While it clearly builds on its Jewish heritage, calling God "Father" anticipates the Father-Son relationship in the Godhead that early Christians knew and robustly upheld.The first article of the Nicene Creed also presupposes that there is an objective body of teaching that Christians are expected to confess as their faith. This idea seems normal and natural to us, but it was a novelty in the ancient world. Neither Judaism nor any pagan religion or philosophy could claim to have a closely defined set of beliefs that everyone adhering to it was expected to profess publicly and defend against all comers.While this article on God the Father is the shortest and arguably oldest portion of the Creed, it fully sets forth the fundamental understanding of God as creator and originator of all that is. This commentary in its selection of texts from the early church highlights the common understanding of the One God in three Persons, elucidating the churchs understanding of divine attributes and trinitarian relations.The five-volume Ancient Christian Doctrine series follows up on the acclaimed Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture to provide patristic commentary on the Nicene Creed, translating source material from the church fathers into English for unparalleled insight into early church history.

The Gospel in the Catechism"Monumental."J. V. Fesko | "Generation-defining."Harrison Perkins | "A full banquet with all the courses."Zachary Purvis | "Invaluable."Ligon Duncan | "A ready guide for every church and family."Matthew Barrett Understand a foundational Reformed catechism Follow a 52-week plan for reading or preaching Study alone or in a small group Christians are bombarded with competing messages, but the Heidelberg Catechism speaks clearly. Its teaching on the gospel and the Christian life is biblical, accessible, and pastoral. Its three-part structure of guilt (law), grace (gospel), and gratitude (sanctification) is framed by the comfort the Christian has in God alone.In The Heidelberg Catechism, R. Scott Clark reflects on the catechisms theology, piety, and practice. This thorough yet accessible guide to the catechism comments on each of its 129 questions, revealing the catechisms historical and theological context and explaining how it enlivens the Christian faith today.

Discover the story of salvation in Christ through Levitical ritualsAtonement lies at the heart of the Christian faith. In Christs work of atonement, we are reconciled to God, enabled to draw near to him, and can see his glory. Through studying the Levitical burnt offering, Roy McDaniel takes readers on a deep exploration of Leviticus 1:1-9 in this thought-provoking volume, part of the Studies in Christian Doctrine and Scripture series from IVP Academic. Using elements of narrative analysis like setting, plot, and hero, McDaniel shows how the Levitical burnt offering is a ritual recapitulation of the narrative of Israels election and deliverance as depicted in Genesis and Exodus, and how in doing so, it proclaims the atoning work of Christ.At the heart of this work lies the "logic" of atonement, present in the Levitical burnt offering, an idea that contributes to the doctrine of atonement by demonstrating how Christs incarnate sacrifice is rooted in his eternal identity as God the Son.In Enacting Atonement, Roy McDaniel: Provides a coherent account of atonement centered on the eternal identity of the Son, Shows how Levitical sacrifice can inform the churchs doctrine of atonement by modeling a careful theological exegesis of Leviticus, and Explores questions about the meaning of sacrifice and its relationship to the being and attributes of God. Whether youre a scholar, student, pastor-theologian, or a layperson seeking deeper understanding, Enacting Atonement invites you to uncover the rich tapestry of Gods redemptive narrative in the Levitical ritual.

A Groundbreaking Analysis of Dallas Willards Theology of Spiritual Formation Dallas Willards formational theology begins with the claim that the aim of God in human history is the formation of a community of loving persons apprenticed to Jesusand ends with the promise that such apprenticeship prepares us to share in Gods governance of the cosmos.This apprenticeship to Jesus is the path to human flourishing, the renewal of the church, and the healing of the world. In Kingdom Apprenticeship, Keas Keasler offers the first comprehensive study of Willards theology of spiritual formation. He argues that while the three Ds of disciples, discipleship, and disciplines made Willard famous, his formational theology is much deeper than that. Willards unique grammar of transformation is grounded in ordinary life, for it is in our present reality that we are trained to participate in Gods eternal purposes.Mining Willards philosophical works, theological writings, recorded lectures, and unpublished papers, Keasler shows: Willards theology serves as a practical curriculum for spiritual growth, offering a remedy for the character crisis we see in the church and in society. Apprenticeship to Jesus is both for growth in Christlikeness and preparation for reigning with God in the fullness of his kingdom. Spiritual formation is not secondary or supplementary to Gods mission; it is its very strategy. Against the drift of modern theology into abstraction, Willard calls the church back to a clinical theologyone aimed at the transformation of character through an interactive life with God. Formation and mission, contemplation and action, inner renewal and outward vocationall are inseparably linked in Willards vision.Kingdom Apprenticeship offers a fresh and urgent call: to recover apprenticeship to Jesus as the heart of the Christian lifeand the hope of the world.

This volume, edited by Jeffrey P. Greenman and George Kalantzis, marks another compilation from the Wheaton Theology Conference. 2009s event produced the wealth of work represented here exploring the theological foundations for a faithful approach to the church practices that contribute to spiritual formation, that is, to our sanctification in the power of the Holy Spirit.Including essays from keynote speakers Dallas Willard and Gordon Fee as well as contributing essays by noted presenters such as Chris Hall, David Gushee, Linda Cannell, Cherith Fee Nordling and Lawrence Cunningham, this book offers a stimulating exploration of the historical, biblical and theological dimensions of spiritual formation. It will be of special interest to those who serve as pastors, spiritual directors, church ministry leaders and Christian educators.

Rediscover the Majesty of the Ascended ChristThe doctrine of Christs ascension is often overlooked in the church today, yet it holds profound significance for Christian theology and the Christian life. The Glory of the Ascension by theologian Ross Hastings invites readers to rediscover this essential truth. With thoughtful precision, Hastings illuminates the ascension as a celebration of the completed atonement, followed by the intercessory work of the Great High Priest, the continuance of the humanity of Christ, and the reversal of the laying aside of the glory of the eternal Son associated with the incarnation. This inspiring volume offers an evangelical Protestant perspective, connecting the themes of glory and ascension to the vitality of the church and individual faith.This book: Provides an in-depth and constructive theological exploration of a neglected doctrine. Offers an evangelical Protestant account of the ascension and differentiates it from the atonement. Connects the ascension to the doctrines of God, Christ, the Spirit, salvation, the church, and eschatology. Gives an engaging invitation to wonder, worship, and participation in the triune life of God. This book is ideal for students and professors of theology, pastor theologians, and any Christians seeking theological depth. Discover the beauty of Gods glory revealed in the ascended Christ and order The Glory of the Ascension today.

Who are the churchs great theologians? What was special about their teaching? What can we learn from them today? Gerald McDermott has written this book for those who want a solid introduction that is challenging, but not overwhelming. Provocative but satisfying. And not too long. McDermott not only informs us about eleven pivotal theologians from Origen to von Balthasar, but helps us sort out what is of continuing value today.With study questions at the end of each chapter, this book is perfect for small groups to go through together. As you do, youll explore your shared theological history and uncover more about what and why you believe. Heres your chance to think with "the greats" about God.

Seeing Sabbath as the Gospels Call to Resist, Reimagine, and Reclaim The worlds relentless push for "more and better" reflects a value system that is individualistic and economically exploitative, leaving Christians and the church itself exhausted. Amid this weariness, Sabbath emerges as not merely a day of rest, but a powerful, countercultural invitation to push back.In Sabbath Gospel, G. P. Wagenfuhr and Amy J. Erickson invite us to consider Sabbath as much more than a cessation from work. Sabbath is a grand exodus from tiring economic regimes and the empty promise of self-actualization. By expanding our vision of Sabbath beyond the Creation story, we vacate the idol of the world and take our place in the household of God, the church, where Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. In this robust biblical theology, scholars, theologians, and pastors find a fresh approach to Sabbath that moves us beyond empty practices and renews our language about the gospel.What youll find in Sabbath Gospel: A transformative view of Sabbath as communal resistance against the exploitative value systems of the world Interdisciplinary insights into the Biblical theology of Sabbath A call to live out Sabbath anew in Gods reconciled community Sabbath Gospel challenges readers to rethink Sabbath, moving beyond individualistic notions of rest. Sabbath is not just about stepping back from work for personal rejuvenation but about stepping into Gods householda reconciled community where rest is shared, burdens are lifted, and the gospel is renewed in our lives. Reimagine your view of Sabbath with Sabbath Gospel.

A Christian Approach for Communicating with Your Neighbor Every day we give and receive communication. But good communication doesnt always come naturally. Strengthening our skills is vital not only for those who specialize in communication but for everyone who wants to have healthy relationships, love our neighbors, and shape the world around us for good.In Authentic Communication, educators Tim Muehlhoff and Todd Lewis offer a wealth of resources from both communication studies and the Bible. This textbook unpacks the essential elements of communication and applies them to common challenges, offering a unique look at biblical principles of communication such as loving our enemies and blessing those who insult us.Youll find wisdom to address questions like: How can we overcome our natural biases and take someone elses perspective? When are persuasion tactics ethicaland when arent they? What does healthy forgiveness look like? How should Christians offer alternative views to the dominant voices in society? Is constructive dialogue practical in a culture of argument? Whats new in the second edition: a new chapter on perspective taking in light of disagreement, a new chapter on communication in estranged relationships, an updated recommended resources section, and updated research and sources based on the past fifteen years of fresh scholarship in communication studies. This book lays a foundation for engaging people who hold different views, seeking to open pathways for communication. Embrace the invitation to communicate well as a Christian with Authentic Communication.

Including People with Disabilities Is Essential to Your Churchs Witness God wants people of all abilities to be active participants in his kingdom. But churches have not always made it clear that people with disabilities are both part of Gods story and fully welcome in their communities. If the church is to be a credible witness, it must reach and include people with disabilities within its evangelism, mission, and everyday life.In Disability and Evangelism, Rochelle Scheuermann casts a vision for including people with disabilities in all aspects of evangelism, from how we understand and tell the gospel story, to how we evangelize to and with people with disabilities. This groundbreaking book invites us to reshape our evangelism theology and practice so that people with disabilities are central in all we think, say, and do. Scheuermann uncovers how Gods story in Scripture responds to the complexities of disability and provides both the means and message to share good news among people of all abilities. She then explores issues of evangelism practice, including how we understand conversion, an expanded understanding of accommodation, and pursuing interdependence in ministry.In Disability and Evangelism, you will gain a biblical understanding of both disability and evangelism; hear stories from people with a range of disabilities; study evangelism practices that go beyond traditional approaches that are key for doing evangelism with and among people with disabilities; understand why many people with disabilities feel excluded from and do not attend church; and engage with discussion questions in each chapter. This book shows how the gospel really is good news for people of all abilities. Understanding and embracing disability is not only a matter of compassion and justice. People with disabilities will help the church to counteract faulty visions of power, autonomy, and self-promotion and to encounter the good news of Jesus more deeply. If youre looking for a resource that invites people with disabilities to be both recipients and active participants in Gods mission, Disability and Evangelism is for you.About the Series Center for Disability and Ministry books explore the intersection of disability and practical theology in partnership with the Center for Disability and Ministry at Western Theological Seminary. Co-edited by Benjamin T. Conner and John Swinton, this series explores key issues in disability theology through the framework of practical theology, aiming to increase knowledge as well as faithfully impact Christian practice.

The twenty-first century opened with a rapidly changing map of Christianity. While its influence is waning in some of its traditional Western strongholds, it is growing at a phenomenal pace in the global South. And yet this story has largely eluded the corporate news brokers of the West. Layered as it is with countless personal and corporate stories of remarkable faith and witness, it nevertheless lies ghostlike behind the newsprint and webpages of our print media, outside the cameras vision on the network evening news.Miriam Adeney has lived, traveled and ministered widely. She has walked with Christians in and from the far reaches of the globe. As she pulls back the veil on real Christians--their faith, their hardships, their triumphs and, yes, their failuresan inspiring and challenging story of a kingdom that knows no borders takes shape.This is a book that coaxes us out of our comfortable lives. It beckons us to expand our vision and experience of the possibilities and promise of a faith that continues to shape lives, communities and nations.

Move Past Anxiety and Into Confident Witness Are fear and anxiety holding you back from sharing your faith? Does the thought of evangelism make you uneasy or leave you concerned about making others uncomfortable? The biggest barrier to evangelism, Mark Teasdale argues, is not lack of training or informationits fear.To overcome this fear, we must engage not just intellectually and spiritually, but also psychologically. In Socially Awkward Evangelism, Teasdale considers evangelism through the lens of psychology, helping you overcome the roadblocks that often accompany sharing your faith. Teasdale offers resources for dealing with anxiety and shame and helps you communicate in ways that reduce uncertainties in others, utilizing recent developments in understanding mental and emotional health.Socially Awkward Evangelism: addresses the underlying fears and anxieties often tied to evangelism with tools informed by psychology, offers practical tools for overcoming fears about evangelism, challenges common misperceptions about evangelism, and helps you communicate your faith authentically, sensitively, and creatively. Through practical exercises, theological foundations, and psychological insights, this book will guide you to thoughtfully attend to your inner life, your social context, and the heart of Jesus, helping you move beyond fear to embrace evangelism as the blessing its meant to be.Whether youre a church leader or educator training others, a student eager to learn, or someone who struggles with the social anxiety often tied to evangelism, Socially Awkward Evangelism provides the tools to help you step into this sacred task with confidence and purpose.

Faith Conversations for a Modern World Have you ever wanted to look over the shoulder of an expert apologist as he has conversations about faith?Louis Markos, acclaimed author of From Plato to Christ and Passing the Torch, gives you a seat at his table for an international potluck dinner held in his home, where guests from many faith traditions and walks of life engage in spirited discussion about faith, miracles, and the meaning of life.My Apologetics Dinner Party presents a method of talking about Christian faith that is not based primarily on propositional logic or the defense of truth claims (though these features do show up). Instead, he aims to clarify what Christians actually believe through a winsome and engrossing narrative in the tradition of Socratic dialogue. The conversations in this book are rooted in real-life interactions Professor Markos has had with skeptics, seekers, and adherents of other faiths throughout a lifetime as a professional apologist for Christianity.In My Apologetics Dinner Party, you will get a unique opportunity to look over the shoulder of an expert apologist in action. observe a laid-back, conversational approach to evangelism built upon hospitality and designed for life in a modern, pluralistic society. see an example of how to engage in conversational apologetics among people of diverse cultural, educational, and religious backgrounds. hear dialogues, rather than debates, as creative narrative in the Socratic tradition. Youll be entertained as well as enlightened as youre taken up in the banter, humor, and atmosphere of lively dinner conversationonly to find at the end that some of your deepest questions have been addressed. If you are looking for a book that will show you how to discuss your faith in a real-life setting with friends who have deep questions to ask but dont want to hear a sermon, or a book you could give to curious seekers to read on their own, youll find it in My Apologetics Dinner Party.

Rediscovering Dante with Lewis, Sayers, and WilliamsFor centuries, readers have marveled at the imaginative brilliance of authors like C. S. Lewis, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Charles Williams. But what inspired these literary giants? The Way of Dante takes you on a journey of discovering how the medieval poet Dante Alighieri and his masterwork, The Divine Comedy, shaped their thoughts, artistry, and faith.In The Way of Dante, Richard Hughes Gibson reveals the profound influence of The Divine Comedy on the writings of Sayers, Williams, and Lewis through Following the authors as they read, reflect on, and debate Dantes allegorical journey through hell, purgatory, and heaven Challenging common misconceptions about Dantes work Exploring how Dante prompts reflection on sin, love, and glory Revealing the psychological, social, and theological lessons learned The Way of Dante is ideal for readers, scholars, teachers, and students interested in The Divine Comedy; the works of Sayers, Lewis, and Williams; or the spiritual dimensions of storytelling. Step into the minds of three of the 20th centurys most beloved writers and be inspired to view Dante through a new lens.About the Series The Hansen Series celebrates the literary and spiritual contributions of seven British authors whose works have captivated readers across generations: Owen Barfield, G. K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Dorothy L. Sayers, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Charles Williams. These seven authors were all deeply involved in the friendships and intellectual exchanges that shaped the Inklings, a mid-twentieth-century group of Christian writers and thinkers in Oxford, England. This series invites readers to deepen their engagement with these timeless voices and their enduring influence on literature, faith, and the life of the imagination.

Discover the Beauty, Depth, and Awe-Inspiring Magnitude of Gods GloryThe glory of God is a central theme that runs throughout Scripture. But what is Gods glory? And what does it mean to glorify God? These are perhaps the most important questions we could ever ask. To answer them, it is crucial to see how Gods glory is at the heart of the gospel and of the entire story of the Bible.According to biblical scholar Donnie Berry, glory refers to all the things the triune God is full ofhis wisdom, love, creativity, beauty, strength, compassion, justice, life, joymade manifest for us to see, to experience, to respond to, and, perhaps most surprisingly, to participate in. From beginning to end, Gods plan has always been to reveal his glory to his people and through his people, so that his glory will fill the earth. This volume provides a rich study into the meaning of Gods glory in the story of the Bible and what it means for your life today.The Earth Will Be Filled FeaturesAn Exploration of the Biblical Theme of Glory: Trace the theme of glory throughout Scripture, gaining insight on its significance for understanding God and the Bible. Visual Aids for Clarity: Use helpful figures to easily grasp the deep connection between the Bible and the theme of glory. Accessible Biblical Theology: Enjoy an engaging, accessible resource perfect for pastors, students, or anyone interested in Biblical theology. Through accessible insights and compelling visuals, The Earth Will Be Filled explores how the theme of glory can deepen your understanding of Scripture, offering you a meaningful way to reflect on Gods majesty and presence. This book is an invitation to immerse yourself in the awe of Gods glory and respond to it with wonder, worship, and joy. Step into the richness and wonder of Gods glory with The Earth Will Be Filled, and discover how glory permeates Scripture and invites us into a life-transforming response.About the SeriesEssential Studies in Biblical Theology (ESBT), edited by Benjamin L. Gladd and L. Michael Morales, explore the central or essential themes of the Bibles grand storyline. Taking cues from Genesis 13, authors trace the presence of these themes throughout the entire sweep of redemptive history. Written for students, church leaders, and laypeople, the ESBT offers an accessible yet rich introduction to biblical theology.

Lessons from Midwives for Pastoral Leadership We find ourselves in a moment in which the church is in great pain. Congregations are dwindling, denominations are fracturing, and church scandals have become all too common. We need a new imagination to capture the hopefulness of God birthing something new in the midst of the pain of the old creation. In The Pastor as Midwife, Shawna Songer Gaines brings her pastoral experience alongside her research on the vocation and practices of midwifery to explore a vision of pastoral leadership that is shaped by the wisdom of those who walk alongside expectant mothers. Learning to pastor like a midwife helps us embrace what God is doing in our pain and see new life in unlikely places.This book gives pastors a ministry paradigm that embraces change and pain as part of Gods salvific work in the world. Gaines helps pastors embrace a new, life-giving posture for ministry marked by advocacy, listening, and letting go of control. Like the apostle Paul in Romans 8:22, pastors who long to witness the birth of Gods new creation are invited to imagine their work like a hopeful midwife.With The Pastor as Midwife, you will: learn how the practices and wisdom of midwives offer a new way of approaching pastoral leadership, a way that begins and ends with a hopeful view of Gods work in birthing new creation; engage with thought-provoking reflection questions to explore your own leadership patterns; and reenvision ministry to see change and pain as integral to Gods life-giving work in the world. Wherever you are in your journey as a pastor, The Pastor as Midwife offers a thoughtful and hopeful perspective on ministry in a changing and often challenging world. Learn to witness and partner with God in the birth of new creation with The Pastor as Midwife, trusting in the Spirit of God who brings new life to a fallen but beautiful world.