Download or read book First Steps in Christian Renewal written by Abigail Quigley McCarthy and published by . This book was released on 1967 with total page 216 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book First Steps in Christian Religious Renewal written by Rudolf Steiner and published by SteinerBooks. This book was released on 2010-11 with total page 450 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 6 lectures and 2 discussions in Stuttgart, June 12-16, 1921 (CW 342) The lectures and discussions presented in First Steps in Christian Religious Renewal make up the first of the five "Priest Courses." They record the first steps of the remarkable journey taken in 1921 by a small group of dedicated souls who, out of their own inner needs and guided by Rudolf Steiner, sought a path to Christian religious renewal. Addressing the group with warm intimacy, Steiner frames their task not primarily in theological terms, but as a need for a renewing "the religious," or "the working of the religious element as such." For this, the sermon (or how we speak) is central, for today we must use language in new ways. We cannot reopen the spiritual worlds by starting from "old conditions." Traditional religious life has become too corrupted, while modern culture has radically changed and become divorced from tradition. In earlier times, people could understand concepts such as "Christ," "grace," and "salvation," but now we need a new starting point, one that begins with the reality that we cannot teach anything we do not believe and have not experienced. When we speak, images and symbols must be experienced as real; we can no longer hold the split view that accepts both modern science as it is and spiritual reality as it is. Next, Steiner turns to the group's stated concerns: ritual, the sermon, community building, and the relationship between these and individual efforts to awaken to the "I." Here, a question arises about the extent to which such matters should become conscious. The question arises: How do we avoid conscious religious content from becoming abstract, intellectual, and cut off from feeling? All too often, intellect is confused with consciousness. Yet Goethe, for one, was certainly conscious and was able to think pictorially and live in images without falling into intellectuality. We, too, must learn to do so. In a sense, however, even this is secondary. Community building, which requires finding "what lives and weaves between human beings," is the key. To bring the community to birth, Steiner advises the group to abandon teaching or exercising power through words and concepts. Instead of focusing on "knowledge of God" (theology), they must find a way to communicate actual "life in God"--experience of the divine within the soul. This means that they must learn to live in a content that is greater and beyond what they can speak. Thus, the importance of ritual, which must remain simple while expressing inner transformation of the human being, or the "en-Christing," imbuing the human being with Christ. Steiner explains, "Human beings are not born imbued with Christ beforehand by way of inheritance; they must find the Christ in themselves." Such transformation, "en-Christing," can be expressed symbolically in many ways through simple, effective, ritual. First Steps in Christian Religious Renewal is a translation from German of Vorträge und Kurse über christlich-religiöses Wirken, Bd.1, Anthroposophische Grundlagen für ein erneuertes christlich-religiöses Wirken (GA 342).
Download or read book Baby Steps of Faith written by Charles E. Perry, Sr. and published by Tate Publishing. This book was released on 2008-03 with total page 164 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Are you spiritually inquisitive? Willing to set aside time each day to pursue personal spiritual growth? Baby Steps Of Faith-The First Mile by Charles E. Perry Sr. is a fifty-day journey towards better relationships-both with God and with other people. The goal is to gain fresh insights regarding God's promises, His love, His justice, and our role in the big picture. Discovering our role in God's plan might take place early in life or it might occur later; but we must never forget that we do have a role in His plan. Baby Steps of Faith is about seeking God's direction, following it, and then enjoying the results. It's a fifty-day walk of learning how to overcoming obstacles through the mighty power of the Holy Spirit. Each day's baby step is one step closer to realizing our full potential in our journey of faith. Abounding with simple, practical truths, Baby Steps of Faith is your guide to a deeper relationship with God.
Download or read book Christian Faith Renewed written by David K Ewen and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2024-04-09 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: About the Book Isn't the renewal of Christian faith truly an awakening of the heart, a journey where we find ourselves asking God to breathe new life into our spirits, creating in us clean hearts and renewing our spirits within us as Psalm 51:10 urges? How profound is it that this spiritual reawakening enables us to view the world through a new lens, where our priorities shift, and the temporary fades away, leaving us to focus on the eternal as described in 2nd Corinthians 4:18? Isn't it like waking up to a new dawn where our hearts are wide open to God's love, guiding us to live with compassion, forgive more readily, and spread kindness in our daily lives? How transformative is this journey, continuously seeking God's presence, letting Him guide our path, and experiencing the growth, discovery, and deeper sense of joy and peace that comes from this closer, more loving relationship with God and those around us? In the journey of faith, there comes a moment that can only be described as a renewal, a profound transformation akin to awakening from a deep slumber. This is the essence of "Christian Faith Renewed: Awakening of the Heart," beautifully encapsulated in the scripture 2nd Corinthians 5:17, where it's declared that anyone in Christ is a new creation, with the old life fading away and a new life beginning. This journey is not just about rediscovering faith; it's about experiencing it in a more profound, life-altering way. Imagine walking through life with a heart not fully aware of its need for something more, something deeper. Then, suddenly, there's a stirring, a realization that the path one has been treading is not as fulfilling as it seemed. This is the first step towards renewal-acknowledging that one's spiritual life has grown stagnant or distant from God. What follows is a heartfelt repentance, a turning away from past misdeeds and a sincere seeking of forgiveness. This act of reconciliation is not merely about saying sorry; it's about changing direction, aiming towards a life illuminated by God's presence. As this transformation unfolds, there's an unmistakable sense of becoming a new creation. The heavy cloak of the past is lifted, replaced by a new self that thrives under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This renewed self begins to see the world differently, valuing love, service, and obedience to God above all else. It's a rebirth that invigorates the believer's actions, thoughts, and desires, steering them towards a path that mirrors Christ's love and teachings. Living out this renewed faith becomes an active, daily endeavor. It's no longer enough to merely claim belief; one must demonstrate it through acts of kindness, generosity, and commitment to God's word. This is the essence of awakening the heart-a realization that faith is not a passive state but a dynamic journey of continuous growth, fueled by prayer, Scripture, fellowship, and witnessing to others. This understanding of renewal and awakening is not a linear path but a cycle of growth, challenges, and rediscovery. Each believer's journey is unique, yet all share the common goal of deepening their connection with God and living out a faith that is vibrant, transformative, and alive. In this process, the heart awakens to the boundless love and grace of God, propelling the believer towards a life that truly reflects the principles of the Christian faith. About the Author Dr. David K. Ewen is someone who truly stands out because of how caring and dedicated he is. He's not just an ordinary minister; he's a source of hope for a lot of people looking for spiritual help and guidance. Whether it's individuals, couples, or entire families, Dr. Ewen is there for them, showing that faith can really make a difference in their lives.
Download or read book The Steps to Freedom in Christ written by Neil T. Anderson and published by Baker Books. This book was released on 2011-08-25 with total page 42 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Contrary to the fairy tales, receiving Christ does not mean that we won't have conflicts in our lives. However, we can overcome them because of our position in Christ as children of God. The Steps to Freedom in Christ helps Christians reclaim the promise of freedom that Christ offers all who come in His name. It includes a spiritual inventory to help identify and break free from condemning thoughts, compulsive behaviors, personal conflicts, spiritual struggle and despair, and any type of personal or spiritual bondage. The Steps to Freedom in Christ is a comprehensive process to help Christians resolve personal and spiritual conflicts in Christ. This smaller version of the new and revised Steps to Freedom in Christ makes it easier and more convenient to take the steps with you everywhere you go.
Download or read book Spiritual Authority written by Rob Reimer and published by Carpenter's Son Publishing. This book was released on 2024-03-11 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Jesus gave his disciples authority to preach the good news of the kingdom of God and to cast out demons, heal the sick, save the lost and set the captives free. Everywhere Jesus went, the kingdom came with power. There was no proclamation of the gospel without a demonstration of power. It was the authentic demonstration of Jesus’ power through his followers that ignited the greatest spiritual movements in the first century. Today, we are becoming more like the spiritual climate in the first century then like 1950 America. In a pluralistic, syncretistic society where all deities are considered equal, only the unequal display of Jesus’ power will convince people of the supremacy of Christ. The key to demonstrating the power of the King is Authority and authority is not just positional; it is developmental. Spiritual authority is rooted in identity, expanded in intimacy and activated by faith. This book takes an in depth look at how we can grow in identity, intimacy and faith so that we can develop our authority and release the kingdom.
Download or read book The 7 Habits of Jesus written by Robert Schmalzle and published by . This book was released on 2014-12-07 with total page 456 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is a "Start by Reading Together" discipleship workbook for groups, partnerships, and self-study. Learning the process is easy by working through one chapter at a time. The Seven Habits of Jesus has been used, trusted, and endorsed as the discipleship model and resource for training the baptized how to be disciples and how to make disciples.
Download or read book Trusting the Spirit written by Richard Cimino and published by Jossey-Bass. This book was released on 2002-03-14 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Can renewal and reform groups rekindle spiritual vitality and fervor in today's religious institutions? The call to revive one's faith fills more pages of the Christian and Jewish scriptures than any other theme. Today, reform and renewal organizations and movements play a key role in most denominations, whether conservative, moderate, or liberal. In this fascinating book, Richard Cimino provides you with an in-depth look at six vibrant reform and renewal movements that are revitalizing traditional faith communities from the inside out. Cimino walks you through how all the components of renewal and reform--the organization, the larger denomination, the congregation, and the individual members--interact at both local and national levels, and answers the question of how effective these organizations and movements are within their traditions. Filled with interviews and case studies, Trusting the Spiriy concludes by outlining strategies for renewal and reform that can be put into practice in a wide range of religious contexts.
Download or read book There s Hope for Your Church written by Gary McIntosh and published by Baker Books. This book was released on 2012-05 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Veteran church consultant calls church leaders back to the hope that God can and does restore churches, equipping them with practical tools to bring about healthy growth.
Download or read book Freedom in Christ Bible Study Student Guide written by Neil T. Anderson and published by Gospel Light Publications. This book was released on 2008-08-01 with total page 104 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Christianity is a lifelong endeavor. The act of becoming more like Christ is not simple. The Freedom in Christ discipleship program communicates to new and mature Christians alike the essential truths of the Christian faith. What are the next steps after we have taken that first step of giving ourselves wholly to God? Understanding these truths will help believers—from new converts to those whose walk may have become stagnant—to resolve personal and spiritual conflicts through genuine repentance and learn to experience freedom in Christ.
Download or read book Your First 120 Days In Church Revitalization And Renewal written by Tom Cheyney and published by Renovate Publishing Group. This book was released on 2020-12-15 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Your First 120 Days in church Revitalization and Renewal Amazon PageYou are initiating the beginning of your church's effort towards church revitalization. You are to be commended for the willingness to save a church from the pain of loss. There are all types of loses for declining churches. There is the loss of long-time church members who have either moved away or passed on. There is the loss of impact in one's community in which the church was planted to serve. Another loss is the mixture of all ages within your fellowship to what now leans further towards the elderly than the young. But perhaps the biggest loss is when your church has not done anything to bring about renewal and eventually it is given away to a church planter which is stranger because the membership and leadership within the church waited too long to act. As you look in the mirror ask the Lord how you are going to be the catalyst for revitalization in the dear church you serve. Beginning the process of revitalization and renewal is a critical time for the church revitalizer. Whether you realize it or not the clock is ticking and the key decisions you make in your initial one hundred and twenty days is imperative. While you have some time on your side might I encourage you to begin day one displaying to your lay church leaders that you are there to lead them out of their demise and towards a better future. You are there to make a difference and if you do not see yourself up to the task then you should begin developing your exit plan.This book on your first 120 days in church revitalization and renewal is deigned to challenge you to release old and outdated theories and methodologies. We will continue to declare that the early days where you transition into this new role of church revitalizer is critical and challenging. But if you begin well you have established a solid foundation of you as the leader, the team you will employ to help you with renewal, and the success you will have going forward.We should all face it that becoming the leader of a church revitalization effort for the local church is a big challenge. It is a chance for you as the church revitalizer and for the church in need of revitalization to make a fresh start and develop a new vision for a better future. But for you as the one called to lead the church out of decline, it is also a time for intense vulnerability. Making unwise slipups and blunders are missteps you cannot afford at the beginning of your journey. What you do during the opening one hundred and twenty days of your revitalization efforts can either position you for success of jeopardize your leadership which will ultimately lead to failure. This new book seeks to identify for you the potential landmines and potholes you will encounter and show you how to avoid them. It goes without saying but probably needs to be stated nevertheless that you as the church revitalizer need some early wins in order for the majority of the church to follow your leadership. You have been given a great opportunity by the Lord to seize the opportunity to bring renewal to your church. What you do during the first 120 days sets the stage for the impossible dream to become the possible dream of revitalization and renewal. Wrestle with these pages and use them as a guide for initiating church revitalization and renewal.
Download or read book The Examen Prayer written by Timothy M. Gallagher and published by Crossroad. This book was released on 2006 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first book to explain the popular Christian practice of the examen prayer. Fr. Gallagher takes us deeper into the prayer Ignatius of Loyola believed was at the center of the spiritual life, showing how relevant it is today.
Download or read book The Politics of Spirituality written by Michael P. Hornsby-Smith and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides the first in-depth case study of "Renew," a pastoral program of religious revitalization originated in the United States in 1976 and now widely adopted throughout the Roman Catholic world. Initiated from the top down in a hierarchically-structured church, it can be seen as an example of clerical attempts to stimulate and control lay spirituality in a controlled manner. The authors look at the history of organizations within the Roman Catholic Church and the effects of modernity on religious practice. The work will be of special interest to sociologists and students of the sociology of religion, as well as students of theology and religious studies.
Download or read book Going Home written by Henry Gary and published by . This book was released on 2027-11-23 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Obeying the Gospel is Book 5 in the WordPoints Daybook Series. Written by Gary Henry in his familiar style of courtesy and candor, this volume will challenge the conscience of readers young and old. The gospel of Christ is a message, but it is a message that requires a response. Action is necessary if we are to receive the benefits promised in the gospel -- and it is God who has stipulated what must be done. So the gospel of Christ is not just about thinking; it's about action. And if we need motivation to act on our faith, Obeying the Gospel seeks to provide that encouragement. If a person wanted to become a Christian, how would he go about it? What would he actually need to do? In view of the importance of the question, every honest person will want an accurate answer, one that is consistent with the teachings of the New Testament. But if the "how" of becoming a Christian is important, the "why" is even more so. Sadly, the shallow and shaky experience of so many Christians stems from their having become Christians for reasons that were inadequate. Obeying the Gospel explores the solid foundations of the Christian faith and points the reader to the highest (and most powerful) reasons why a person would decide to follow Jesus Christ. The idea of "commitment" is near to the heart of the Christian faith. Without commitment, very few worthwhile things are possible in life, and that is certainly true of life in Christ. For that reason, Obeying the Gospel will be valuable to the Christian as well as the non-Christian. For the non-Christian, the book speaks plainly about the commitment Christ requires of those who seek salvation in Him -- and for the Christian, it emphasizes the need for an ever-growing faithfulness to that commitment. (1) The book's title, Obeying the Gospel, is a biblical expression, but it involves far more than just the initial steps that one takes in becoming a Christian. For the rest of one's life, doing what is right will always be seen as responding rightly to the gospel -- and if one ever becomes unfaithful and departs from Christ, the problem will be that he quit obeying the gospel. (2) Obeying the Gospel emphasizes the original purpose of the gospel in the days of the New Testament. In contrast to much of what is preached today, this book shows from the teachings of Jesus and His apostles that the gospel was originally about the forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation. (3) A unique feature of Obeying the Gospel is that it challenges Christians to re-examine whether they are, in fact, Christians. Two thousand years after the gospel began, it can be hard to separate what is original from the many social and cultural phenomena that people today identify as "Christianity." In the twenty-first century, is there any way for us to get back to the foundational teachings of Christ and His apostles? The answer is yes, and Obeying the Gospel argues for a renewed emphasis on the restoration of New Testament Christianity. With 366 one-page readings, Obeying the Gospel is what the old-timers used to call a "daybook." Daybooks have a rich literary tradition. Containing a brief essay for each day of the year, they sharply concentrate our thoughts on significant subjects once a day, every day. (Daybooks can be read in any way that is helpful to the reader. You don't have to start on January 1 -- you can start anywhere, skip around, or read more than one page a day. It's up to you.) The WordPoints Daybook Series takes the reader on a journey of seven stages. In Books 1-2, the journey begins with meditations on the character values and principles recognized by mankind throughout history. Books 3-5 discuss the importance of God and our need for the gospel of Christ. Book 7 concludes the series with a consideration of heaven: the home of the soul.
Download or read book Encountering Rudolf Steiner written by Christopher Bamford and published by SteinerBooks. This book was released on 2022-04-12 with total page 403 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The deep aim, or intention, of an introduction (understood esoterically) is a 'living understanding,' or, as the poet William Blake put it, the ability 'to catch the bird in flight and fly with it.' If successful, this makes it possible for any reader to hear or translate, into his or her own understanding, what Rudolf Steiner is offering, within and beyond his words, in these texts of The Collected Works." --Christopher Bamford Rudolf Steiner's writings and lectures comprise a collection of more than 350 volumes, which can overwhelm anyone hoping to gain an understanding of the vast range of their content. Beginning in the 1990s, as editor in chief of Anthroposophic Press (SteinerBooks), Christopher Bamford wrote introductions to more than fifty books in the English translations, each one offering readers significant context and keys to open up many areas of Steiner's works. This volume presents fifteen of those introductions to some of Steiner's most essential books and lectures on anthroposophic practices, Western esoteric streams, religious renewal, and inner development, as well as practical applications of anthroposophic principles for a threefold society and contributions to modern holistic medicine. Taken together, these introductions provide one of the best possible means of encountering Rudolf Steiner by revealing the background, significance, and relevance of his philosophy and insights for humanity today and in the future. This book is for anyone seeking a way into Steiner's worldview, as well as for those who are already familiar with the work of Rudolf Steiner and wish to delve more deeply into the many aspects of the anthroposophic path of knowledge.
Download or read book Reclaiming the Great Commission written by Bishop Claude Payne and published by Jossey-Bass. This book was released on 2000-06-28 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reclaiming the Great Commission describes a biblically based model that can restore the missionary power of first-century Christianity to twenty-first century denominations and their congregations. Based on shared vision and mission, the model can guide the members of any congregation or denomination into deeper and broader evangelism, an enhanced experience of community, and a renewed hope of personal and spiritual transformation.
Download or read book Real Good Church written by Molly Phinney Baskette and published by Pilgrim Press. This book was released on 2014-06 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This is a practical manual of everything our church did," says author Molly Phinney Baskette, "to reverse our death spiral and become the healthy, stable, spirited and robust community it is today evident in the large percentage of children and young adults in our church, and a sixfold increase in pledged giving in the last decade." Baskette, pastor of First Church Somerville UCC in the Boston area, strongly believes her church's strategies will work for any church, in any setting, regardless of denomination, demographics, and political landscape. Here, in her new book, Real Good Church: How Our Church Came Back from the Dead, and Yours Can, Too, she shares everything her church did, addressing topics such as: outreach and growth strategies, finances and giving, creative worship, including personal testimony and corporate prayer, church conflict and change, anxiety and humor, and much more.
