We all want to improve our spiritual lives, but the task often can seem overwhelming. And while there is no shortage of self-help gurus hawking their wares, not enough Christians are making meaningful progress toward a deeper relationship with God. Now best-selling author David Augsburger reveals the life-giving nature of surrender and service in Dissident Discipleship. Moving beyond self-centered therapies and "Lone Ranger" spirituality, Augsburger reveals that our spiritual lives will grow when we look outside of ourselves and lay down our lives in service to God and neighbor. Anyone interested in the topic of spiritual growth, from pastors to counselors, will be sure to welcome Augsburger's balanced approach.

Bestselling author David Augsburger explains and advocates for a tri-polar spirituality--Christian life and energy centered on God, care of neighbor, and care of self.

Interrogating Barth's discipleship-shaped vision of sanctification, this book investigates both Lutheran and Calvinian source material to develop an account that differs markedly from other Lutheran and Calvinist perspectives. Highlighting the robustly theological and Christ-centred character of Barth's account, Chris Swann demonstrates that, far from merely valorising human activity, Barth advances an understanding of human moral agency, action, and suffering that is real but relative to the agency of God in Christ to which it corresponds analogously. With a focus on the role the image of discipleship plays in giving conceptual structure and shape to Barth's distinctive account of the correspondence between divine agency and sanctified human agency, this book evaluates the ramifications of his discipleship-shaped vision of sanctification. In doing this, it gives special attention to Barth's own personal mixed record with regard to Christian discipleship. Ultimately, Swann retrieves a number of important resources for contemporary theological ethics from Barth's theology of discipleship.

See how the Book of Revelation can be read as a book of discipleship, challenging Christ-followers everywhere to live as hopeful agents of resistance and transformation. The last book of the Bible frustrates and frightens many people with its imagery and apocalyptic tone. Popular interpretations rely on fear and politicization and often lead to pride and alienation of others. Is this really how we were intended to read John’s Revelation? In Revelation for the Rest of Us, Scot McKnight with Cody Matchett explore the key message of Revelation and how it: Calls us to be faithful and hopeful witnesses to Jesus. Stimulates our imagination to see the world through the eyes of God and excite our faith. Challenges us to stand against the militarism, economic exploitation, oppression, and injustice of worldly authorities. McKnight addresses the popular misconceptions about the book, explaining what John means in his use of the images of dragons, lambs, and beasts; and how the symbolism of Revelation spoke in the days of Rome and still speaks powerfully to the present day—though not in the way most people think. You’ll learn to see the Book of Revelation in a fresh and hopeful new way. Drawing from the latest scholarship, the authors present an understanding of Revelation for anyone interested in deepening their personal study of the Bible and strengthening their faith as dissident disciples who can discern the presence of "Babylon" in our world and learn to speak up, speak out, and walk in the way of the Lamb.

Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian Gospel. It goes hand in hand with love, mercy, and grace, the fundamental theological virtues. However, forgiveness is easier to define than it is to embody. This unique collection of essays brings together theologians, ethicists, and ministry practitioners into a constructive dialog which explores the complex and crucial concept of forgiveness: what it is, where it is to be found, and how it might be practiced. These essays reflect the perspectives of those from various traditions who nonetheless take the Christian Scriptures seriously, believe that forgiveness is central to living out the Gospel, and are creative in the ways in which forgiveness can be practiced. Forgiveness is an art and not simply a science; as such it requires trust, skill, and hope alongside love, mercy, and grace if it is to be embodied. This volume offers a unique window into the art of forgiveness and the faithful and innovative ways in which it is to be understood, embodied, and cultivated.

In previous generations, ministers often enjoyed high job satisfaction. They could be clear about who they were and what they were for. Today, they are increasingly anxious about role confusion, overload and burnout. Drawing on his abundant experience in hands-on ministry and ministry education, Gordon Oliver speaks directly, with faith and with hopefulness to these realities. He explores the covenant that exists between ministers and their churches and provides a clear evaluation of the structures, constraints and freedoms of ministry. With real-life stories and insightful questions for reflection, his thought-provoking guide helps ministers, and those who support them, work together to fulfil ministers' true calling.

Advance praise for Faith Journey "Good pastors are recognizing that the task for forming people in faith has a new urgency in our time. Preaching to people who are not learning about the faith and being formed in discipleship can devolve into entertaining an audience instead of edifying a congregation of the faithful. In this book, Doug Hood provides welcome help in this important ministry of weaving into the fabric of people's lives the basic pattern of the Christian faith - a wise and worthy guide for pastors and lay people." - From the Forward by Thomas G. Long, author of The Witness of Preaching and Bandy Professor of Preaching, Candler School of Theology, Emory University "Doug Hood leads us into a wonderfully accessible approach to a deeply engaging experience of growth in discipleship. By offering the interplay of readings, reflections, spiritual exercises and questions he leads the reader into the life changing journey of growing in Christlikeness and what it is to be loved by Christ and loving others in Christ's name. It is a superb guide for personal study, small groups and classes." - E. Stanley Ott, Ph.D. President of the Vital Churches Institute. "As pastors and church leaders, we want more for the spiritual life of our parishioners than an emotional high or intellectual stimulation. We want our people to know God. Doug Hood has developed an understandable and highly accessible resource for congregations. Using time-tested spiritual disciplines, Faith Journey encourages church members to be receptive to what God is doing in their lives." - James Hodsden, Senior Minister of the Ardmore Presbyterian Church, Ardmore, PA. W. Douglas Hood, Jr. (D.Min. Fuller Theological Seminary) is the pastor of Lenape Valley Presbyterian Church, New Britain, PA. His sermons and articles have appeared in Lectionary Homiletics, Preaching Great Texts, Biblical Preaching Journal and Preaching: Word & Witness.