En Iglesias, culturas y liderazgo: Una teología práctica para congregaciones y etnias, los autores buscan fomentar la atención hacia la vida intercultural que se está desarrollando en cada iglesia y también en las relaciones entre las diferentes iglesias y sus entornos. Los autores Juan Martínez y Mark Bransoncreen que la presencia del reino de Dios en la tierra, inaugurado en la vida, muerte y resurrección de Cristo, es una presencia que se debe caracterizar por un ministerio de reconciliación. ¿Qué hace falta para dirigir iglesias multiculturales? Moisés salió de Egipto con una «multitud mixta», y los primeros seguidores de Jesús tuvieron que aprender que el Espíritu Santo los estaba llevando a cruzar los límites entre las distintas culturas de su tiempo. Vivimos en un mundo que es culturalmente diverso, y casi todas nuestras ciudades y nuestros vecindarios son testigos de esa diversidad. Esto se hace evidente en los medios de comunicación, en los centros comerciales y en las escuelas; y aunque poco menos evidente en las iglesias, va también en aumento. Ese es el motivo que los llevó a escribirlo: animar a los líderes de las iglesias en la creación de ambientes que hagan evidentes las iniciativas de reconciliación en la vida interna de las iglesias, y en nuestra labor misionera dentro de nuestros vecindarios y ciudades. Este libro contiene: Información relevante sobre el contexto multicultural en el que vivimos. Información sobre las distintas perspectivas socioculturales. Herramientas prácticas para el liderazgo y la comunicación efectiva. Churches, Cultures and Leadership In Churches, Cultures, and Leadership: A Practical Theology of Congregations and Ethnicities, the authors seek to foster the intercultural life that is developing in each church and also in the relationships between different churches and their environments. Authors Juan Martínez and Mark Branson believe that the presence of the kingdom of God on earth, inaugurated in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, is a presence that should be characterized by a ministry of reconciliation. What does it take to lead multicultural churches? Moses left Egypt with a "mixed crowd," and the early followers of Jesus had to learn that the Holy Spirit was leading them to cross the boundaries between the different cultures of their time. We live in a world that is culturally diverse, and almost all of our cities and neighborhoods bear witness to that diversity. This is evident in the media, in shopping malls, and in schools; and although slightly less evident in the churches, it is also increasing. That is why they wrote this book: to encourage church leaders to create environments that make reconciliation initiatives evident in the inner life of churches, and in our missionary work within our neighborhoods and cities. This book contains: Relevant information about the multicultural context in which we live. Information on the different sociocultural perspectives. Practical tools for effective leadership and communication.

As the church continues to hear and heed Christ's call to reflect the multi-ethnic character of his people, pastors and leaders need to gain skills and competencies to serve in those contexts. Juan Martinez and Mark Branson have written this book to equip such leaders to create environments that make God's reconciling initiatives apparent in church life and in our mission engagement with neighborhoods and cities.

In this classic book written by best-selling author Juan Carlos Ortiz, you'll discover what it really means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. An ideal book for new believers, Disciple is also an inspirational and practical guide for Christians who want to grow closer in their walk with the Lord.

La experiencia migratoria suscita un sinnúmero de situaciones complejas que presentan un reto súbito e inesperado al liderazgo pastoral. En su tarea pastoral el líder se enfrenta diariamente con gran número de personas que reflejan y le recuerdan su propia condición, así como sus conflictos y dificultades, como inmigrante en muchos casos. Tal experiencia pude resultar agotadora y emocional y espiritualmente debilitante, debido a la identificación o sobreidentificación con las personas a quienes sirve. Este libro explora estas ideas y sus dinámicas. The immigration experience stirs up an endless number of complex situations that present a sudden and unexpected challenge to pastoral leadership. In their Hispanic ministerial task, every day, church leaders are faced people who share their struggles and conflicts – particularly immigrants. Effectively carrying out this ministry can be exhausting and emotional and spiritually debilitating, due to the unique difficulties this ministry faces. This book explores ideas and the dynamics of this ministry.

"La iglesia existe por la misión, al igual que el fuego existe por la combustión". Con estas palabras de Emil Brunner, el autor nos recuerda que ser la iglesia es estar en misión. Después de describir las diferentes cautividades de la misión, que han subyugado al cristianismo de los Estados Unidos, el autor lucha para exponer una fuerte y comprometida practica de la misión, comenzando en las congregaciones locales y extendiéndose hasta la comunidad más amplia.Este libro de Introducción a la Misión, puede ayudar a estudiantes de seminario, y a grupos de estudio de laicos, a conocer el mandato cristiano fundamental y unirse a la misión de Dios en el mundo. "The church exists by mission as fire exists by burning." With these words of Emil Brunner, the author reminds us to be the church, is to be in mission. After describing the various captivities of the mission, which subjugated to Christianity in the United States, the author struggles to expose a strong and committed practice of mission, beginning in local congregations and extending to the broader community. This book Una Introduccion a la Mision can help seminary students and lay study groups to learn the fundamental Christian mandate and join God's mission in the world.

A second edition of Memories, Hopes, and Conversations is now available! With helpful updates throughout, the new edition features five new chapters on Appreciative Inquiry applied in real congregations. When First Presbyterian Church in Altadena, California, was asked to provide a mission study report for its pastor nominating committee, the congregation was afraid they would find themselves engaging in busy work and producing a report that would wind up in a file gathering dust. They then asked professor Mark Lau Branson to consult with them on writing this report. He invited them to join in a process of Appreciative Inquiry--a transformational organization change process--which resulted in a major shift in congregational conversations and a new sense of hope. Memories, Hopes, and Conversations recounts the experience of First Presbyterian and outlines a process that any congregation can utilize to harness the energies of the congregation at all levels of its common life. Branson first leads readers through the foundations of Appreciative Inquiry and bracingly explores biblical texts for understanding the practice in a faith context. He then outlines and illustrates a four-step process--Initiate, Inquire, Imagine, Innovate--that creatively employs constructive conversations and questions to evoke storytelling and spur imaginations. Branson persuasively demonstrates how concentrating on needs and problems can mire a congregation in discouragement and distract it from noticing innate strengths. By focusing on memories of the congregation at its best, members are able to construct "provocative proposals" to help shape the church’s future. Grounded in solid theory and real-life practice, Memories, Hopes, and Conversations is a groundbreaking work of narrative leadership and the first book to apply the principles of Appreciative Inquiry to the lives of congregations.