Bøger af Stephen P Mccutchan

A Star and a Tear is a mystery thriller with a spiritual edge. Frank Sessions is locked in a season of grief caused by the violent death of his wife during a convenience store robbery. He emerges out of his grief when a young reporter asks for his assistance in writing a story about a rape in the city and Frank realizes he has a strange connection with the anonymous rapist. It soon becomes clear that the city is confronting a serial rapist with a religious fixation. Racing against time, Frank Sessions seeks to assist the police to track down a serial rapist recognizing that there are strong indications that the rapist will soon escalate to murdering his victims. If he is to succeed, he needs to confront an embarrassing chapter in his own past and recognize the strange symbiotic relationship between sexuality and spirituality present in religion. As one reviewer commented, "As the mystery and the search for the rapist develop, the author, . . ., takes us deeper and deeper into what it means to be a person of faith in crisis. Another review states: "Amid the story's varied twists and turns there is danger and darkness, humor and irony, faith and hypocrisy. (Like in the Bible?) Whether one takes religious issues to heart or views them as a creative vehicle for the story, A Star and a Tear makes fine reading." In addition to being an exciting mystery, the story provides the opportunity for a needed discussion about the issues of sexuality and religion. As a third review states: "This book, which takes us behind the closed doors of clergy confidentiality and privilege deserves to be required reading for in-depth discussion in Pastoral Care classes in all Protestant and Catholic seminaries. It also will serve clergy groups wherever the search for integrity and support, guidance and faithfulness really matter." While an enjoyable mystery with plenty of challenging twists and turns, A Star and a Tear also provides the foundation for a discussion on both the creative and destructive power of sexuality in life. Whether it be several clergy, lay people who want to explore this significant issue in the church, or someone who is interested in how to live a healthy life, this book is both an enjoyable and valuable foundation for exploring the relationship between sexuality and spirituality in our society. The mystery will keep you reading while the group discussion may deepen friendships and challenge your thinking.

STREAMS OF LIVING WATERIn addition to offering theological reflections on each of the lectionary passages in Year B, the author also offers five formats for prayer. A pastor or active lay member could make use of this material on retreat. This volume provides a pastor with a disciplined way of opening oneself to the Spirit in preparation for each Sunday's worship. Active church members will find this volume an excellent way of listening more deeply during each Sunday's worship or for small group study that is connected to the weekly worship experience.

HOW DO WE HEAR GOD'S CALL? In times of discouragement, we may even wonder if it was the wrong number?Clergy Vocational Health helps the reader exploreWhat do we mean by God's call?How do we discern God's call?How do we stay in touch with God's call?How do we nurture our relationship with God?How does God call us in special forms of ministry?Does God's call include a call to retirement?Does God call churches?What is God's call in an age of anxiety?Many other aspects of God's call in our lives.You'll benefit from this bookif you read it, if you share it with others, if you allow it to probe a Divine whisper in your life.DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GET THIS BOOK NOW. https: //bit.ly/Clergycall You are a click away from clarity.

Clergy Financial Health recognizes the stress that money plays in our society.Family financesSecurityImages of successInfluence among colleagues and membersMeeting budgets for home and congregation This book offers a variety of strategies and suggestions for the clergy, clergy families, congregations, and the larger church to nurture a healthy response to the temptations and blessings caused by money in our lives. How clergy respond to the complex issues caused by the role of money in the pastor's life, the church, and the larger society affects the health of their spiritual leadership.Clergy Financial Health offers a variety of specific suggestions and ideas to encourage the community of faith to live in the material world in a healthy manner that communicates a healthy alternative to the forces of greed, fear, and envy that shapes our society.It is part of the nine-volume Healthy Clergy Make Healthy Congregations series. Buy it, http: //bit.ly/ClergyFinancialHealth, Read it, Talk about the ideas with family and colleagues, Help

Many Christians do not know how to utilize the wisdom of the Psalms. Drawing upon more than thirty years of pastoral ministry, the author offers a fresh approach to integrating the Psalms into the life of the whole church. He not only illustrates practical ways to utilize the Psalms in liturgy and preaching, but also suggests ways to use the Psalms in pastoral care. The Psalms can become the framework for examining current ethical problems and for providing self-care for clergy. McCutchan examines the Psalms with these goods in mind, and confronts the issue of the harsh language of the psalms, suggesting that this language may well be the key to helping believers bring their whole lives to the worship of God. Experiencing the Psalms can be used as a resource for the congregation that seeks to bring the language of spirituality to the lives of the believers. This book provides an effective strategy for clergy who want to help their members cope with their pain and share their joys in all aspects of their lives.