Kategoria BISAC: Religion >> Christian Rituals & Practice - General

Week after week, year after year, Jews turn to sacred singers for spiritual and emotional support. The job of the hazzan -- much more than the traditional "messenger to God" -- is deeply embedded in cultural, social, and religious symbolism, negotiated between the congregation and its chosen voices.

Drawing on archival sources, interviews with cantors, and photographs, Slobin traces the development of the...

Don't just LEAD a small group, DIRECT it. Members of your small group look to you for answers. They bring their raw questions and intimate needs to you, looking for wisdom and understanding. How can you encourage your group to consider the Holy Spirit's voice? "Spiritual direction is an ancient art of being with another person in relationship with God," writes author Heather Webb. This time-tested practice requires that you remain attentive and open to divine interactions you might otherwise miss. Field-tested through the author's years of experience, Small Group Leadership as Spiritual...

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is, as Pope John Paul II called it, "a special gift."

Here it is - the first new Catechism of the Catholic Church in more than 400 years, a complete summary of what Catholics around the world commonly believe.

The Catechism draws on the Bible, the Mass, the Sacraments, Church tradition and teaching, and the lives of saints. It comes with a complete index, footnotes and cross-references for a fuller understanding of every subject. The word catechism means "instruction" - this book will serve as the standard for all...

Experts from various fields offer concise definition, analysis, and discussion of nearly one hundred preaching topics. Subjects discussed include decision-making, abortion, incarnation, poverty, education, the Ten Commandments, jealousy, wealth, stewardship, and violence and war.

A collection of sermons on a variety of texts and topics, all showing the wit, gifted turn of phrase, narrative skill, and biblical insight of Fred Craddock.

In this new edition of his popular book, Craig Dykstra explores the contributions of the traditions, education, worship practices, and disciplines of the Reformed Christian community in helping people grow in faith. In doing so, he makes the case that the Christian church, in its own traditions, has a wealth of wisdom about satisfying spiritual hunger and the desire to know God deeply--wisdom that offers coherent, thoughtful guidance in such diverse settings as congregational life, families, youth groups, and higher education.

Janet Peterman presents a variety of healing and comforting rituals that can be used in situations that are likely to be encountered in congregations but yet are not typically treated in standard liturgies. Peterman offers her reflections on the significance of rituals and includes a broad spectrum of rituals for personal use, for life in the home or at church, for use in the wider community, or for help in leading to transformation. She concludes by describing a seven-step process for creating new rituals and suggests ways to adapt existing worship materials for use in new settings. This...

J. Philip Wogaman challenges preachers not to retreat from the world and to reconsider what they leave out of their sermons. In this helpful guide, he discusses the biblical and theological grounding of prophetic preaching, the pastoral and liturgical setting, Christian moral decision making, and appropriate issues for discussion from the pulpit. He also includes his most compelling sermons, identifying the setting and goals of each.

For students new to preaching, these dynamic movements are summed up in a ten-step process that moves speaker from preparation to presentation.