Follow the antics of Elmo Jenkins, the quintessential, earnest young church intern as he learns the ropes in a large metropolitan church. Simultaneously hilarious and thought-provoking, this trilogy canonizes the ongoing adventures of the staff at First Church.

Lila, homeless and alone, steps inside a small-town Iowa church and ignites a romance and a debate that will reshape her life. She becomes the wife of a minister, John Ames, and begins a new existence. Neglected as a toddler, Lila was rescued by Doll, a young drifter, and brought up by her in a hardscrabble childhood. When Lila arrives in Gilead, she struggles to reconcile their days of hardship with the gentle Christian worldview of her husband which...

As increasing numbers of young women are discerning a call to ministry, entering seminary, graduating, and searching for the call to a parish or other ministry setting, they need to be aware of the realities that face them. “The Girlfriends' Clergy Companion” is about the nitty gritty of ministry for young female clergy-how to maintain a sense of personal style, what it's really like to be a solo pastor, how to date, what to do when they're ready...

Fr. Paul Gofigan was the pastor of the largest parish on the island of Guam. He was also one of the few pastors left on the island who resisted the advance of the Neocatechumenal Way, a cultic international organization that had cultivated heavy influence with corrupt Vatican officials as well as many of the world's bishops, including Guam's. It was only a matter of time before the Archbishop of Guam would be ordered by his Neocatechumenal masters...

The authors combine clinical psychology and spiritual direction to create a practical model of spirituality that integrates theology, psychology, and an understanding of individual frailties in a new way. Spiritual Wholeness draws on counseling experience with more than 400 clergy and pinpoints the human problems, traps, and temptations awaiting those who choose the clergy role. Clergy will learn to develop and maintain a psychologically healthy spirituality...

The Heart of a Great Pastor salutes pastors everywhere - those wanting to take a fresh look at their ministries, as well as those just starting out. As the baton is passed to the "new breed of pastors," there is a great need to help them count the cost of serving Christ and equip them with the tools, wisdom, and encouragement from those who have gone before them. H.B. London, Jr., and Neil B.Wiseman bring their experiences and heart to pastors for...

Pastors say goodbye to congregations. Sometimes their goodbyes are timely and sweet; sometimes they are jarring and painful. But as they leave, they face a unique journey of grief, one shaped by their role. They face both the outward grief of leaving people behind and the inward grief of leaving an identity behind. In “The Graceful Exit”, Lutheran pastor Mary Lindberg shares insights from her experience of ending her service to a congregation,...

Fulfilling the demands of clergy persons when a member dies is both diverse and challenging. Presumptions are made as to your expertise and prior experience with similar circumstances. But what happens when expectations are higher than your preparation, who can you turn to for support? I offer the Ringmaster as a tool to help you navigate the waters. This book is an intimate look at actual death and grief events and examples of the care provided...