In this book of essays for Paul Goodliff, some of the loves of his life are put into conversation with the practice of ministry. Paul Goodliff has been a Baptist minister for nearly thirty-five years, in roles that have been local, regional, national, and ecumenical. Ministry has also been the subject of his own research and publications. Ministry in Conversation seeks to extend his work and offer new insights.

You would usually imagine blood-sucking vampires and crucifix-holding priests in a fight to the death, but professional "holy man" Reverend Joe Haward believes horror can show us how to truly live. Could it be that horror, combined with faith, has the power to transform the world for the better? In this controversial book you are invited to discover how flesh-eating zombies, ghosts, and Jesus have the potential to turn the world upside down and create beautiful communities of peace. From H...

In this powerful book on the experience of desolation John Colwell focuses on Psalm 22, read in the light of his own struggle with bi-polar disorder and the Christian belief that God the Son suffered in his humanity, to offer existential-theological reflections on the experience of God-forsakenness.'My concern in writing this book and reading this psalm is to reflect on the felt experience of God-forsakenness, my own and that of Christ in the light of this psalm; to explore the the...

What do Christians hope for? To leave this wicked world and go to 'heaven'? For the 'kingdom of God' to grow gradually on earth? What do we mean by the 'resurrection of the body'? And how does all this affect the way we live in the here and now?Tom Wright addresses these questions in this lively and thoroughly biblical book. He describes the persistent confusion about 'the last things' in both Church and world. Then, having explained why Christians believe in the b...

Why is it 'good news' to say that 'Jesus is risen'? What has the resurrection to do with our idea of salvation? This book sets out to show how the experience of the resurrection was from the first one of forgiveness and of the healing of memories of injury, guilt or failure. Out of this healing grow new patterns of life together, and a new understanding of God. This classic work by one of the finest theological minds of our day is renowned for its synthesis of theology and spirituality, cr...

'Abide in me as I abide in you... As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.'Abiding is not a word we have much use for in everyday conversation. Yet Ben Quash shows that this one concept is central to the Christian life.Abiding, as Quash demonstrates, has the sense of full personal commitment, a quality of solidarity that 'waiting' just cannot convey. It speaks of the centrality of order, consistency and continuity in the C...

'A superb book on failure . . . humorous, realistic and absolutely not judgemental.'JUSTIN WELBYIn 2019, Emma Ineson wrote about ambition and what it means for Christians to be successful. And then there was a global pandemic . . . Suddenly failure began to feel very much more familiar than success.But what is failure? What did Jesus think of it? What did he say about sin, mistakes and generally mucking things up? At the start of th...

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Is preaching dead - or at least dying? In a digital age, where congregations have unprecedented access to resources, do we still need sermons?John Stott's I BELIEVE IN PREACHING has been essential reading for ministers, students and lay preachers for over three decades. Its message is as relevant today as ever.'I do believe in preaching. . . I believe that nothing is better calculated to restore health and vitality to the Church or to lead its members into maturity in C...

Each topic raised by Kervin in this collection of discussion starters for worship planners is a catalyst for a new kind of thinking around how we frame our worship. Creeds, intercultural worship, architecture, language, song, new technology...whatever the subject, Kervin combines an enlightening appreciation for liturgical traditions with the conviction that everyone in the church has experience and opinions and this grassroots input can enrich our common experience.Concise and accessible,...

Sometimes Christians assume that people 'out there' are eager to listen to what the Church has to offer. But why should those we try to evangelize want to hear the gospel? Surely people will only be intrigued by Christian life and community when they see something provocative or attractive. Then they will want to know what's going on. The Provocative Church offers a liberating understanding of evangelism as a corporate activity, in which all the gifts needed to enact the life of the kingdo...