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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.

"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.

Master the Art of Communication for Counseling and Beyond Anyone in a helping professionincluding professional counselors, spiritual directors, pastoral counselors, chaplains, and lay leadersneeds to develop effective communication skills. But learning these skills is like learning a new language: it takes time and practice to communicate effectively, and lack of practice can lead to declining fluency in this new language.For both beginning students and seasoned practitioners, Skills for Effective Counseling provides a biblically integrated approach to foundational counseling skills. It trains the reader to use crucial microskills such as perceiving, attending, empathic connection, and authenticity.Chapters include textbook features such as sample session dialogues, role plays, and a variety of exercises that will engage different learning styles. Interwoven throughout are special topics related to: clinical tips for using skills in real-world counseling settings biblical/theological applications current and seminal research on microskills multicultural counseling the relevance of skills to interpersonal relationships and broader ministry settings This textbook and the accompanying IVP Instructor Resources include all of the activities and assignments that an instructor might need to execute a graduate, undergraduate, or lay course in foundational counseling skills. Professors teaching in CACREP-accredited professional counseling programs will be able to connect specific material in the textbook to the latest CACREP Standards.This revised edition of Skills for Effective Counseling has been updated throughout to incorporate recent research and be even more useful for the classroom. This second edition includes a new chapter on video/online counseling, discussion of new approaches to biblical and theological integration, updated references, and expanded instructor resources.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.

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.

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.

Trace Gods Plan of Redemption Through the Old Testament Do you find the Old Testament historical books challenging or confusing? Have you ever struggled to get through these sections of Gods Word or wondered why they matter for us today? Many of us view the Old Testament as something we read simply because weve been told its good for us. But when we uncover the unfolding story of redemption within these books, we see a theological vision that points us to Jesus.Unfolding Redemption helps readers trace Gods story of redemption through the historical books of the Old Testament and discover its fulfillment in Christ. As readers dive deeper, theyll gain a richer understanding of the gospel and see its vibrant connections throughout Scripture. This book makes the theology of the Old Testament accessible and approachable, showing how these books fit together to tell a larger story that culminates in Christ.Biblical scholar Ian Vaillancourt unpacks themes like settling Gods redeemed people in Joshua, delivering Gods redeemed people in Judges, preserving Gods redeemed people in Esther, hope for the ultimate redemption in 1 and 2 Chronicles, and more. Vaillancourt guides readers through the Old Testaments historical books with a clear and intentional approach, revealing how every part of the story leads to Jesus. Unfolding Redemption is an excellent introductory textbook, and is ideal for pastors or Bible teachers as well as groups looking to study the Bible more deeply. With discussion questions for reflection, Unfolding Redemption equips Christians to dig deeply into these texts, see their themes woven together, and understand what they mean for our lives today.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"By his wounds we are healed" Isaiah 53:5 We are wounded people. In this fallen world, people are hurt and exploited. Children are abused. Marriages are broken. Tragedies of all kinds afflict us and the ones we love. Woundedness, it seems, is simply a fact of life.But we are not alone in our suffering. Despite our emotional, psychological and physical injuries, God has not abandoned us. God is not distant or aloof. On the contrary, through the ministry of Jesus, God enters our painful situations to bring healing and redemption.Balancing sound biblical exposition with sensitive pastoral care, Stephen Seamands examines the profound implications of Jesus crucifixion for our healing and restoration. Because Jesus experienced abuse, shame and rejection, he understands the hurts we experience today. And his response to pain and suffering gives us hope that we too can experience forgiveness and new life.Filled with real-life stories of peoples brokenness and healing, Wounds That Heal offers comfort for our wounded souls. Ultimately, we take heart that God not only understands our pain but has done something about it. Encounter here the promise that the wounds of Jesus are wounds that heal.

In the midst of overwhelming or lingering grief, sometimes the only comfort is knowing that youre not alone. This courageously honest, beautifully designed book offers solace through shared stories of loss. Our grief is our own, as unique as a fingerprint, as fragile as a snowflake. Yet others have crawled through this same valley, stumbling blindly under the shadow of death. In the pages of this exquisite book of stories, meditations, and art, you will meet fellow mourners: presidents and poets; scientists and theologians; writers and filmmakers; artists and musicians; homebodies and wanderers. They, too, wrestled with questions known to all who grieve: Why did this happen? Where are my loved ones now? How can I go on? The 27 meditations in A Hope Observed offer a chance to understand loss and find meaning in our lives ahead. Bereaved father David Bannon weaves his own story into the stories of others, sharing his struggles with doubt, regret, and unanswerable questions. Each days meditation includes Scripture, a reflection prompt, and a work of art that expresses sorrow and love in surprising ways. Bannon also explores startling advances in grief therapy that confirm our suspicions: our dead are with God even as we feel them near; we are not crazy; our grief is normal, healthy, and expected. A Hope Observed is unflinchingly honest, revealing how loss can cause even the strongest person to lose their bearings completely, with no "ending point" in sight. Yet, there is a quiet hope that comes in the company of others, and a light that begins to appear as we realize that grief is love, and the One who walks with us knows our sorrows. A Hope Observed uncovers a bedrock truth: There is nothing we can say that God does not understand. There is nothing we can say that God does not want to hear.

"Mako has a lot of wise things to say about beauty in this book . . . one point is worth emphasizing: Beauty refreshes. Beauty alters. Beauty is a revolution in outlook. That makes beauty both a potent balm and a potent provocation, especially in times like these." from the foreword by David Brooks, New York Times columnist and author of How to Know a Person Outreach Magazine Resource of the Year Christianity Today Book AwardsAward of Merit Cultivate Practices That Care for the Soul of Our Culture "Culture is not a territory to be won or lost but a resource we are called to steward with care. Culture is a garden to be cultivated."We live in an era of cultural war and combativeness. But we all have a responsibility to care for culture, to nurture it in ways that help people thrive. In this second edition of Culture Care, internationally recognized artist Makoto Fujimura issues a call to cultural stewardship in which we become generative and feed our cultures soul with beauty, creativity, and generosity, serving others as cultural custodians of the future.This is a book for anyone with a calling to createfrom visual artists, musicians, writers, and actors to entrepreneurs, pastors, and business professionalswho wants to reach across boundaries with understanding, reconciliation, and healing. As creative catalysts, we can contribute to the shared culture that affects human thriving today and shapes the generations to come.Whats New in the Second Edition Carries forth the call to steward and restore culture so that people and communities may thrive A new introduction and additional content addressing the significance of culture care in an era of culture wars New material on generative thinking and culture care as public theology Enhanced with 15% more new content including real life stories and fresh insights to help deepen your understanding This book also includes a study guide for individual reflection or group discussion. Culture care is about shaping culture by fostering beauty, cultivating understanding, and offering hope. If you want to learn how to engage with culture in a more meaningful way, read Culture Care and discover how to become a hopeful, generative contributor to the world around you. Culture Care is your invitation into a vision of cultural engagement rooted in beauty, restoration, and spiritual depth.

Equip Your Church to Reach Todays Generations Are your churchs outreach efforts feeling stalled? Do you sense a growing disconnect between traditional evangelism methods and the people you long to reach?If youve felt that familiar methods are failing and trust has been lost, you are not alone. The Call to Contextualize offers a practical path forward for ministry leaders seeking to address this crisis of evangelism.Drawing on insights from twenty-three years of effective ministry, pastor Jae Hoon Lee uses biblical examples, theological principles, and practical case studies to present an incarnational model for evangelism called accommodation evangelism that adapts the gospel message and methods to the audiences needs and cultural context while preserving the gospels integrity.In The Call to Contextualize, you will find: A theology of contextualization and accommodation evangelism. Discover how to effectively communicate the gospel in a way that is recipient centered, adapting the message to the audiences language and cultural context. Practical ministry application. Learn from biblical examples such as Jesus and Paul, alongside the extensive experience of Onnuri Church, to implement contextualized evangelism in your ministry. Biblical, theological, and missional foundations. Explore the scriptural underpinnings of a recipient-centered approach to the gospel, focusing on principles of divine communication and the theological concept of incarnation. Gospel and culture. Study how the gospel is conveyed through cultural forms, necessitating the churchs adaptation of its methods to resonate with contemporary society while being faithful to the original message. Missional communities. Embrace the call for your church to become a missional community that prioritizes relationships as the foundation of evangelism and values reconciliation as a core expression of Gods love for humanity. This book offers encouragement and practical guidance to churches seeking to reach the lost with wisdom, creativity, and love. Its time to reimagine what evangelism can look like in your context. Equip yourself and your church to engage people with the gospel in ways that truly resonate with The Call to Contextualize.

"When we interact with our LGBTQ+ neighbors we are not interacting with an ideology, a political movement, a social media post, a caricature from a movie, or a law being debated in Congress. We are interacting with people made in the image of God, who our Savior bled and died to redeem. We are interacting with someone God literally loved to the point of his own death."Cultivate Community With LGBTQ+ Neighbors Too often, fear and suspicion have characterized churches response to LGTBQ+ people. As we remain committed to the historic Christian teachings about marriage and sexuality, American evangelical churches have also harmed a community we have not understood. Our default has been to keep LGBTQ+ people at arms length.But there is another way, one that resists both culture wars and the pressure to revise scriptural teaching; one that embraces people and clings to historic witness.In Love All Our Neighbors, Tony Scarcello shows how holding a traditional sexual ethic does not have to lead toward the exclusion of LGBTQ+ people from church. Drawing from biblical theology, cultural data, and the authors personal experience as a same-sex-attracted pastor, this book teaches traditional Christians and churches how to truly care for LGBTQ+ people. Scarcello explains how churches can and should be places of conviction, humility, and radical love for everyone.In Love All Our Neighbors, youll learn how Jesus loves LGBTQ+ people and desires to know them, how churches have built unbiblical barriers between LGBTQ+ people and Jesus, and how to dismantle these barriers and minister with care, without compromising orthodox theology. If youre a church leader who upholds a traditional sexual ethic and seeks to genuinely care for LGBTQ+ individuals, youll find this book both challenging and transformative. With thoughtful guidance, Love All Our Neighbors equips churches committed to historic Christian teaching to overcome barriers, fostering a Jesus-centered, life-giving community that embraces everyone with grace and love. Our churches can become environments where LGBTQ+ people can find and follow Jesus in life-giving community.

Connect Your Creativity with the Creator In In the Beginning We Create, award-winning graphic designer and artist Nathan L. Nicholson reflects on Gods timeless patterns of creation, offering practical insights for how and what you create. Nicholson guides you through twenty-one reflective meditations inspired by Gods creative process, each paired with the authors original artwork, uncovering how collaboration, creation, and rest are essential rhythms for expressing your unique creative vision.Nicholson explores how God is the ultimate Creator, and his creative abilities are beyond compare. In the Beginning We Create invites you to explore Gods creative process and discover how you can emulate his creativity in the creative gifts he has given you. Using the book of Genesis as the foundation, youll dive into the story of God creating the universe and find inspiration for your own creative journey. If the Creator of the universe took time to rest, the cycle of creation and rest is necessary for our healthy creativity as well.Key Features: 21 inspiring reflections that draw from the Genesis creation narrative and other Scripture passages 40+ original artworks by the author thoughtfully included throughout the book Insights for spiritual growth as you learn how the process of creating connects you with God and has purpose and meaning Though this book, youll see how no matter the creative discipline you use, you can offer your creativity back to God, discovering new ways to reflect the Creators handiwork in your life.If you yearn to create with intention and purpose, this book will help you view creativity through a new lens: aligning your creativity with divine purpose. Learn how you can honor God with every word, stroke, or melody you create with In the Beginning We Create.

Transform Your Suffering with Tools from Theology, Psychology, and Spiritual Formation We dont like pain.So, we find creative ways to go around it. We try to ignore, minimize, or deny our suffering, but were still left hurting. The twisting and defiling work of sin on this world is overwhelming and shatters our assumptions about ourselves and our place in the world. And yet, the path forward is through suffering. Our afflictions present an opportunity to encounter God and allow him to redeem our suffering.Drawing on six years of research, When the Journey Hurts untangles common misconceptions about suffering, instead helping you find meaning in it. The authors integrate theology, psychology, and spiritual formation to provide actionable steps and tools that teach you how to suffer well in relationship with God and others.This book introduces seven key practices to help you uncover meaning in your suffering, equipping you to engage with suffering in a healthy, faithful way: Identifying with Christs suffering Lament Surrender Forgiveness Gratitude Memento mori (remembering our mortality) Weaving our story of suffering into Gods story These practices are supported by both theological insights and psychological research, providing a unique approach to navigating suffering. Rather than diminishing the weight of your pain, this book is designed to help you transform suffering into an opportunity for spiritual growth and deeper connection with God. With When the Journey Hurts, youll find that your pain can lead you closer to Jesus.

Discover the Beauty and Depth of Ordinary TimeMost days in Jesus life were ordinary. Most of ours are too. And thats exactly where the power of Ordinary Time lies. It reminds us that normal is necessary, and routines are for things that matterthings worth repeating.Ordinary Time by Amy Peeler invites Christians to see the beauty and significance in the longest, yet often overlooked, season of the church year. Far from being mundane, this season is a vital time for spiritual growth and maturitya time when the routine helps sustain and nurture faith. This time in the church calendar isnt just a placeholderits a vibrant and essential season in its own right.Amy Peeler skillfully explores the history and deeper meaning of what the church has historically called Ordinary Time, unpacking how this season fosters both personal and communal transformation. With pastoral wisdom and scholarly insight, this short but profound volume enriches understanding of the church calendar and inspires readers to engage deeply with their faith.In Ordinary Time, Peeler explores the history and practice of the season, inviting readers to engage more deeply with its observance, highlights how Ordinary Time fits within the larger context of the church calendar, and shows how the rhythms of the season teach us how to live faithfully in both the "normal" moments as well as the highs and lows of life. Whether youve long walked in the rhythms of the church year or are just beginning to explore them, Ordinary Time will open your heart to the quiet, steady growth God invites us into every day. Get your copy today!About the SeriesEach volume in the Fullness of Time series invites readers to engage with the riches of the church year, exploring the traditions, prayers, Scriptures, and rituals of the seasons of the church calendar.

Let Churches Be Churches and Therapists Be Therapists We live in an age where "therapy culture" dominates our cultural milieu. Everywhere we look, therapeutic language and psychological concepts are popularized, misapplied, and lose their medical significance. Therapy and psychiatry are good practices, but when people begin to filter everything in life through a therapeutic lens, it becomes harmful rather than helpful.The church is not immune to this phenomenon. Increasingly, peoples expectations of the church and its leaders are viewed through the lens of psychological health and wellness.In this book, Matthew Loftus unpacks how this kind of "therapy culture" can distort the Christian life. He argues that the church cannot do for people what therapy and psychiatry are designed to do. While church should be a place of healing and love for people who are suffering from mental illness, churches and their leaders should focus on what they are called to do: bringing people together to worship God.What youll get with Resisting Therapy Culture: An understanding of the role of the church in supporting people through mental health struggles A deeper appreciation for the expertise and value of mental health professionals Insight into how both therapy and the church can be good for Christians spiritual and mental health in their own intended ways Encouragement for church leaders to renew their focus on leading people in worship This book is an invitation for church leaders to focus on what the church does best. As Loftus explains, "People will live healthier lives when churches and therapists are working well, but the two do not have the same mission, methods, mandates, or measures of success. . . . Both should do the very best that they can in the sphere of work that God has assigned."