You know what the leading causes of death are. But have you ever thought about the Leading Causes of Life? The Leading Causes of Life helps guide us through that question. The five leading causes apply to individuals, churches, and even hospitals that care about life. If you have ever cared for others; looked for meaning; stepped out in faith; found hope when life looked hopeless; or been changed by a blessing, you will appreciate this book.

With insight born of experience and conviction, The Carter Center's Gary Gunderson suggests ways that congregations, religious leaders, and concerned individuals can take practical steps to improve the health of their communities.As governmental involvement in alleviating social problems wanes, Gunderson argues, congregations are uniquely positioned to feed the roots that build and sustain community life. Their commitment can make the difference in addressing such problems as violence, substance abuse, housing, nutrition, and public health. His book shows why congregations matter, how...

What do you think about when you talk about life and death?

This is the question that sent Gary Gunderson on a journey toward life, realizing that if death defines our efforts, then it will win every time. Once our imagination turns from death it becomes aparent that death isn't the only thing going on out there. The Leading Causes of Life focuses in on five powerful concepts:

• Connection
• Coherence
• Agency
• Blessing
• Hope

To write the book, Gary partnered with Larry Pray, a widely traveled speaker who tested out the concepts he...

The book proposes a critical theory of the role and place of religion in public health and argues for a programmatic reorientation of these two fields of practice and inquiry to more effectively align religious health assets - widely present in many contexts - and public health services and facilities.