While slavery and secession divided the Union during the American Civil War, they also severed the Northern and Southern dioceses of the Protestant Episcopal Church. In Challenges on the Emmaus Road, T. Felder Dorn focuses on the way Northern and Southern Episcopal bishops confronted and responded to the issues and events of their turbulent times. Prior to the Civil War, Southern bishops were industrious in evangelizing among enslaved African Americans, but at the same time they supported the legal and social aspects of the "peculiar institution." Southern and Northern bishops parted company over the institution of slavery, not over the place of blacks in the Episcopal Church. As Southern states left the Union, Southern dioceses separated from the Episcopal Church in the United States. The book's title was inspired by the Gospel of Luke 24:13-35 in which the resurrected Jesus Christ walked unrecognized with his disciples and discussed the events of his own crucifixion and disappearance from his tomb. Dorn perceives that scriptural episode as a metaphor for the responses of Episcopal bishops to the events of the Civil War era. Dorn carefully summarizes the debates within the church and in secular society surrounding the important topics of the era. In doing so, he lays the groundwork for his own interpretations of church history and also provides authentic data for other church scholars to investigate such topics as faith and doctrine, evangelism, and the administrative history of one of the most important institutions in America. Dorn devotes the final chapters to the postwar reunification of the Episcopal Church and Southern bishops' involvement in establishing the Commission on Freedmen to offer help with the educational and spiritual needs of the recently emancipated slaves.

A comprehensive study of the role slavery and the Civil War played in dividing the Northern and Southern Episcopal bishops and the churches they lead

How can a church best respond when their priest tells them “I’m retiring,” or “I’ve been called to another parish?” This book outlines to receiving a new ordained leader, recognizing that every parish is different. Discerning exactly what your parish needs can be both a challenge and a joy, and On the Emmaus Road affirms that you can listen to God’s voice while attending to other day-to-day tasks. Based upon several years of doctoral research into the work of search committees in the Diocese of Virginia, this book has been refined through the experience of using its new methodologies in over seventy-five calls. With both traditional and creative new approaches to the clergy search process, Thorpe gives a wealth of resources for your parish to not only survive the days to come, but thrive in the midst of them.

Open Wide the Doors to Christ, is a powerful tool for both teachers and students of the Catholic faith. As an excellent resource for RCIA and Adult Faith Formation, this insightful book discusses the basics of the Catholic faith -- and how we can live it fully. As the "meat and potatoes" of Catholicism, it is an introduction to the Church's teachings on the Creed, the sacraments, the moral life, prayer and much more -- with particular focus upon those who are seeking to become Catholic. Presented in a way that adults from all walks of life can understand, the book challenges readers to dig deeper and to continue to grow in their understanding of Christ and the Catholic Church.

Among Christian devotional works, My Utmost for His Highest stands head and shoulders above the rest, with more than 13 million copies sold. But most readers have no idea that Oswald Chambers's most famous work was not published until ten years after his death. The remarkable person behind its compilation and publication was his wife, Biddy. And her story of living her utmost for God's highest is one without parallel. Bestselling novelist Michelle Ule brings Biddy's story to life as she traces her upbringing in Victorian England to her experiences in a WWI YMCA camp in Egypt. Readers will marvel at this young woman's strength as she returns to post-war Britain a destitute widow with a toddler in tow. Refusing personal payment, Biddy proceeds to publish not just My Utmost for His Highest, but also 29 other books with her husband's name on the covers. All the while she raises a child alone, provides hospitality to a never-ending stream of visitors and missionaries, and nearly loses everything in the London Blitz during WWII. The inspiring story of a devoted woman ahead of her times will quickly become a favorite of those who love true stories of overcoming incredible odds, making a life out of nothing, and serving God's kingdom.

Many people in the US today are searching for meaning, longing for a spiritual home. Unfortunately, in ever increasing numbers, they fail to find either in our churches. In 1970, for example, only one in twenty Americans responded "none" when asked about their religious affiliation; today that number is closer to one in three. During the same period, the percentage of Americans who stated that they never attend religious services has increased from nine to 30 percent. Some blame secularization for the steady decline in Church affiliation; others point to the rise of individualism. Still others express frustration with the structure and politics of organized religion. They judge it to be more concerned with money, status, and influence than with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In recent years, the terms the "nones," "dones," and "seekers" have been used to describe those who find themselves alienated from traditional faith communities. Members of the first group have no religious affiliation; those in the second, once active in a Church, report that their spiritual needs are no longer being met there; those in the third group have not given up completely on organized religion. What has been the reaction of many mainstream churches to this growing phenomenon? Some have been at a loss as how to respond; others have failed to understand the deep sense of alienation experienced by so many; still others appear reluctant to take action to connect us all with the heartbeat and message of a God who loves us profoundly. Rarely have the "nones," "dones," and "seekers" heard a church minister say, "I get it," "I see it, "I've been there." We offer the reflections found in this book not only for those involved in Church life but also to help build a bridge between those alienated from organized religion and those of us involved in ministry within at least two of its denominations. The book is made up of a series of reflections. Many address challenges that are facing our world today: greater self-understanding, trust, love, a generous outreach to others, the need for prophetic leadership and greater care for the human community. Painful topics are also considered: racism, exclusion, poverty, sexual violence, the plague of COVID-19 as well as its devastating effects on the lives of so many. The reflections in this book have their origin in sermons and homilies given as part of Church services, on retreats, and during the celebration of life events such as baptisms, weddings, the commemoration of those who have died. The book's title has its origin in Luke's account of two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Its details are familiar: confused and demoralized, Cleopas and a companion are walking on the way to Emmaus when a stranger joins them. They are amazed that he appears ignorant of recent events in Jerusalem as well as the crucifixion of Jesus. They share their hopes, now dashed, that he might have been the Promised One. Slowly and steadily, the stranger explains the scriptures to them, shares the stories, makes sense of the tales. They press him to join them for dinner and to stay the night at an inn. It is in the breaking of the bread during dinner that they come to realize just who he is. It is the Lord. We hope that this book will appeal to readers who long to deepen their experience of God as well as to those who continue to search for a spiritual home. May it serve as a guide for us all as we seek to find the place of faith in our lives as well as for those of us who are eager to transform our religious institutions into the harbors of hope that they can and must be.

"Explores doctrinal systematics through the lens of contextual experience and language theory to depict Christian faith as an ongoing series of encounter and testimony"--