Shaken by the ongoing clergy sexual abuse scandal, and challenged from within by social and theological division, Catholics in America are at a crossroads. But is today’s situation unique? And where will Catholicism go from here? With the belief that we understand our present by studying our past, James O’Toole offers a bold and panoramic history of the American Catholic laity. O’Toole tells the story of this ancient church from the perspective of ordinary Americans, the lay believers who have kept their faith despite persecution from without and clergy abuse from within. It is an epic tale, from the first settlements of Catholics in the colonies to the turmoil of the scandal-ridden present, and through the church’s many American incarnations in between. We see Catholics’ complex relationship to Rome and to their own American nation. O’Toole brings to life both the grand sweep of institutional change and the daily practice that sustained believers. The Faithful pays particular attention to the intricacies of prayer and ritual—the ways men and women have found to express their faith as Catholics over the centuries. With an intimate knowledge of the dilemmas and hopes of today’s church, O’Toole presents a new vision and offers a glimpse into the possible future of the church and its parishioners. Moving past the pulpit and into the pews, The Faithful is an unmatched look at the American Catholic laity. Today’s Catholics will find much to educate and inspire them in these pages, and non-Catholics will gain a newfound understanding of their religious brethren.

A brand-new year's worth o f inspiring stories from the front lines of faith -- 366 new devotions from missionaries around the globe. In these pages, you'll hike mountain paths, jolt down rutted desert roads, and pick your way through teeming markets and crowded urban slums. You'll meet boisterous children, worried parents, anxious teens, and curious seniors--all hungry, whether they know it or not, for the Good News. You'll witness moments of looming danger and crushing heartache, moments of shining hope and pure miracle. You'll be inspired anew by those who dare to obey God's call to take His story to the ends of the earth. And you'll be encouraged to pray for those who dare to open their hearts not only to the message but also to the One who calls and sustains them. The art of any story is the truth that it paints. I pray you'll find this book chock-full of truth. I pray that every single entry causes words of Scripture to jump off the page and onto the pavement of authentic human experiences, causing you not only to see their lives differently but also to change the way you see your own. -- from the Introduction by Beth Moore All royalties for the Voices of the Faithful series support the work of the International Mission Board.

With the decline of traditional Sunday school and education programs in recent years, many Christians have not learned the fundamental doctrinal content of the faith. In this text Gary Parrett and Steve Kang set forth a thoroughly biblical vision for intentional teaching of the Christian faith that attends to both the content and process of educational and formational ministries.