A Likely Lad:
The life of Norman Lesser, Archbishop of New Zealand.
Judy Mills.
Pbk 316pp. ISBN 9781988572314.
Philip Garside Publishing Ltd (2020).
$40.00.
[2 in stock, then allow 4 weeks]
Overseas customers wanting Print copies: Click here to order
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How did Norman Lesser, a boy from a terrace house in Liverpool, become the Archbishop of New Zealand?
The answer lies in sheer native ability, great energy, a talent for leadership, a happy outlook on life and a bit of luck – or if you prefer, the Grace of God.
Following effective ministry in different English parishes, he served as Provost of Nairobi Cathedral for seven eventful years before coming to be Bishop of Waiapu in 1947.
Lesser’s 24 year tenure saw the building and consecration of the Cathedral in Napier, the establishment of several old people’s homes and rapid growth in the parishes.
A gifted preacher and speaker, and blessed with the common touch, his quickness of mind, sense of humour and dramatic story-telling are still vividly remembered. As Archbishop he guided the church through the tumultuous changes of the 1960s and for years was at the forefront of Church Union negotiations.
Norman Lesser’s world might seem different from ours. But the values of faith, resolution and compassion that we see in his life-story are still relevant today, offering challenge and inspiration.
“As someone who would not ever have made it to ordination without the support and encouragement of this man, and as his eventual successor, I’m personally grateful for this book. It will help all who followed him to learn just how rich a legacy he left us.” John Bluck, former Bishop of Waiapu
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The Words of Her Mouth:
Psalms for the Struggle.
Martha Spong ed.
Pbk 160pp. ISBN 9780829820249.
Pilgrim Press (2020).
$40.50.
[Allow 4 weeks].
This collection of 150 psalms is a balm in this season of spiritual strife and political struggle. Each original psalm invites the reader into honest space in which lament is heard, love is affirmed, and the body is unashamed before God.
As Martha Spong explains in the book’s foreword, “I wondered what women writers might say in conversation with the psalms in this season of child separation and climate change and #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter. I invited nine women whose faith and writing I value to join me in discovering what the psalms say to us and what psalms are inside us.”
The contributors are: Martha Spong, Mihee Kim-Kort, Beth Richardson, Alicia Crosby, Marilyn Pagán-Banks, Julia Seymour, Kentina Washington-Leapheart, Jennifer Garrison Brownell, Katie Mulligan, and Layton Williams.
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The Art of Hospitality:
A Practical Guide for a Ministry of Radical Welcome.
Debi Nixon; Yvonne Gentile.
Pbk 144pp. ISBN 9781501898822.
Abingdon Press (2020).
$40.50.
[Allow 4 weeks].
Create a culture of radical hospitality that surprises and delights guests beyond their expectations.
Engaging worship and intentional follow-up processes are important, but what compels guests to return to our churches is the warmth of our welcome and hospitality that goes beyond their expectations.
The Art of Hospitality, a new comprehensive program developed by hospitality experts from the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, promises to guide a local church in exactly what the program’s title implies: the art form of creating radical hospitality that infiltrates the heart and culture of the entire church. Complete with techniques and strategic planning throughout, The Art of Hospitality will effectively change how you do church, leaving guests surprised, delighted, and eager to return.
This guide is designed to engage staff and volunteers across all ministry areas in your church to create a common language around the ministry of welcome.
Click this link for a short video introducing the programme:
https://youtu.be/BY_-CDvbpL4
These additional components can be ordered separately:
The Art of Hospitality
Implementation Guide.
Debi Nixon; Yvonne Gentile.
Pbk 96pp. ISBN 9781501898952.
Abingdon Press (2020).
$46.00.
[Allow 4-6 weeks].
Step-by-step implementation strategies for leadership teams tasked with developing and leading hospitality ministry.
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The Art of Hospitality
Implementation DVD.
Debi Nixon; Yvonne Gentile.
ISBN 9781501898846.
Abingdon Press (2020).
$81.00.
[Allow 4 weeks].
A supplemental DVD to accompany Implementation with visual training in all areas of hospitality.
Click here to view video of the first session on the DVD:
https://youtu.be/4sK2ZGofwt0
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The Art of Hospitality:
Companion Book.
Debi Nixon; Yvonne Gentile.
Pbk 96pp. ISBN 9781501898938.
Abingdon Press (2020).
$37.00.
[Allow 4 weeks].
This book will prepare the congregation’s hearts and minds for a new way of doing church with radical hospitality. Broken into three chapters, this study is designed to coincide with pastor sermons and provide further reading and learning away from the pews. It covers:
- Biblical Hospitality
- The Ministry of Notice
- Three Questions: Why do people need Jesus?; Why do people need the Church?; Why do people need this church?
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Zondervan Essential Companion to Christian History.
Stephen Backhouse.
Pbk 224pp. ISBN 9780310599487.
Zondervan (2019).
$47.00.
[Allow 3-4 weeks].
This highly informative, broad-ranging book provides vital facts on the growth and impact of Christianity from the apostles to the present day not only in the Western world but also globally.
Following a brief introduction that outlines the key events of the New Testament era, there is a chapter devoted to each century of Christian history beginning with the year 100 and ending roughly at the year 2000.
Each chapter flows chronologically featuring:
- A brief overview, highlighting the main threads and issues running through the relevant century
- Key historical developments explained
- Thematic connections between centuries
- Color-coded sidebars on Persons, Ideas, or Events
- Persons: key figures either within or without the Church who have impacted Christian history significantly or who otherwise deserve special mention
- Ideas: important Christian books, as well as heresies, doctrines, or political movements
- Events: world-historical occurrences such as battles, natural disasters, inventions, or elections that have affected the development of Christianity in the world
The final chapter, devoted to the present century concludes the companion identifying key themes that the Christian Church is presently dealing with and suggesting future issues. A select Glossary of terms is provided at the end of the book, as well as a bibliographic list of suggested reading.
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The Abingdon Worship Annual 2021:
Worship Planning Resources for Every Sunday of the Year.
Mary Scifres, B. J. Beu. Pbk 304pp.
ISBN 9781501896651.
Abingdon Press. (2020).
$59.99.
[Allow 4 weeks].
This book is lectionary-based and follows the calendar year (January–December). It offers fresh worship planning resources for all who plan and implement weekly worship.
Worship leaders “need to offer prayers, prepare an order of worship, select music, and even prepare a sermon. Into that weekly task, we offer this resource to strengthen your ability to lead creatively and prepare consistently.”
Liturgies and prayers are also included for New Year’s Day, Ascension Day, All Saints Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Eve.
Using a theme based on the lectionary readings from the Revised Common Lectionary, each week’s offering of prayers and litanies follows a basic pattern of Christian worship:
- Invitation and Gathering
- Proclamation and Response
- Thanksgiving and Communion
- Sending Forth
The Abingdon Worship Annual is a must-have source book offering countless opportunities for planning meaningful and insightful worship.
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The Abingdon Preaching Annual 2021:
Planning Sermons and Services for Fifty-Two Sundays.
Tanya Linn Bennett.
Pbk 192pp. ISBN 9781501896637.
Abingdon Press (2020).
$59.99.
[Allow 4 weeks].
This book is lectionary-based and follows the calendar year (January–December). Each week’s entry includes:
- Primary Theme
- Secondary Themes
- Worship Helps.
It also includes essays on preaching topics, full sermons, and sermon series ideas. This book will stir the preachers’ imaginations; offer fresh, intriguing ideas; and point preachers in a good direction.
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The Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor:
Hearing Justice in John’s Gospel.
Kathleen Rushton.
Pbk 256pp. ISBN 9780334059059.
SCM Press (2020).
$72.00.
[Allow 4-6 weeks].
Focused around the lectionary readings from the Gospel, Rushton suggests that far from being a Gospel which sits at a safe remove from everyday life, John can be preached as an urgent call to hear the voices of the oppressed in our world.
She encourages preachers to engage in the ancient practice of lectio divina, and offers an accessible resource to help address the divorce between what is heard from pulpit, and the urgent social and ecological justice concern of our times.
Theologian Kathleen P. Rushton is a Sister of Mercy from Otautahi Christchurch. She works in biblical studies, spiritual direction and has over 40 years of ecumenical involvement in social and ecological movements.
“I highly recommend this book. It is traditional as it builds on the solid studies of Brown, Moloney, and others. It traditionally follows the lectio divina style which flows into contemplation and action. It innovatively treats two overlooked themes: care of the earth and of the marginalized. This book will grab your conscience, warm your heart, and impel you into the world to complete God’s works.” Robert J. Karris
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Building Bridges Not Walls:
An Engineer’s Guide to Theology.
Peter Bold.
Pbk 210pp. ISBN 9781789590944.
Sacristy Press. (2020).
$40.00.
[Allow 4 weeks].
Having trained and worked as an engineer, Peter Bold left his original profession at age 28 to study theology in preparation for ordained ministry.
He tells his story of how lessons learnt as an engineer, such as laying solid foundations and the importance of communicating with others who are not experts, helped him to discover in theology a useful resource for developing a mature faith.
Readers will be encouraged to approach the world and some of its main questions with confidence, and learn to engage with other Christians who may hold views different from his own.
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The Jesus Way:
Learning to Live the Christian Life.
Peter Walker.
Pbk 256pp. ISBN 9780857219602.
Monarch Books (2020).
$52.00.
[Allow 4 weeks].
This book teaches the basics of the Christian faith, looking first at what Jesus himself taught, and then at what his apostles had to say. It is for anyone who wants to follow Jesus, but is not sure of or would like to be reminded of the way.
In short clear steps, Walker takes us through the basics of enjoying Jesus’ forgiveness, welcoming his Spirit and feeding on his scriptures; then explores the principles of worshipping with his people, following his teaching and trusting him with our future.
This classic book has been revised and is accompanied by access to an online PDF workbook and video content.
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The Little Book of the World’s Religions.
Ross Dickinson.
Pbk 128pp. ISBN 9781787832510.
Summersdale Publishers (2020).
$28.00.
[Allow 4 weeks].
Religion flourishes around the globe in diverse forms, each uniquely fascinating and multifaceted, playing a central role in the lives of billions.
From the five biggest faiths to the lesser-known creeds, this pocket guide offers an engaging introduction to world religions, exploring their history, beliefs, practices and personalities.
It’s a starting point for anyone seeking deeper understanding of humanity’s spiritual side.
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The Compact Brick Bible:
A New Spin on the Old Testament Reissued.
Compact format: 23cm x 15cm.
Brendan Powell Smith
Pbk 272pp. ISBN 9781510752580.
Skyhorse Publishing (2020).
$47.00.
[Allow 3-4 weeks].
The Bible is complex, sometimes dark, and other times joyous. This book compiles 1,400 photographs of LEGO sets designed by artist Powell Smith to illustrate scenes from the Old Testament in fascinating, humorous detail.
From Genesis and the Earth’s creation to the Books of Kings; from Abraham to Moses, from Samson and Delilah to David and Goliath, this is the ultimate brick-inspired graphic novel of the Bible for adults.
Everyone, from the devout to non-believers, will find something breath taking or entertaining within this collection, whether a well-known Bible story classic or an often-forgotten piece of history.
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The Compact Brick Bible:
The New Testament: A New Spin on the Story of Jesus
Reissued.
Compact format: 23cm x 15cm.
Brendan Powell Smith.
Pbk 272pp. ISBN 9781510752573.
Skyhorse Publishing (2020).
$47.00.
[Allow 3-4 weeks].
This book has 1,000 photographs of LEGO sets designed by artist Brendan Powell Smith, depicting the story of Jesus. From the life of Jesus – his birth, miracles, and parables – to the famous last supper scene and the crucifixion; from the fate of Judas to the life of Paul and his letters to the Ephesians; and on to the book of Revelations, this is the New Testament as you’ve never experienced it before.
Smith brings to life the teachings and prophecies of the most popular book in the world with the graphic novel format in fun and surprising ways.
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