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Excerpts

Short selections from books helpful to Christian leaders

‘Everyday Christian Teaching: A Guide to Practicing Faith in the Classroom’

In this excerpt, a professor of education weighs how to begin a class and what kinds of messages those decisions about beginning communicate about Christian teaching.

By David I. Smith Professor, Calvin University

Image link to article: ‘Everyday Christian Teaching: A Guide to Practicing Faith in the Classroom’

‘Becoming the Pastor’s Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman’s Path to Ministry’

In this excerpt, Beth Allison Barr follows a mother and daughter who both participated in ministry, but only one worked formally as a pastor.

By Beth Allison Barr Professor and author

Image link to article: ‘Becoming the Pastor’s Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman’s Path to Ministry’

‘Sharing the Crust: A Communion of Saints in a Baltimore Neighborhood’

In this excerpt, the author writes about his friend and mentor Allan Tibbels’ “gift of prophetic conscience” and how it drove his work to build Christian community in a marginalized neighborhood.

By Mark R. Gornik Director, City Seminary of New York

Image link to article: ‘Sharing the Crust: A Communion of Saints in a Baltimore Neighborhood’

‘Faithful, Creative, Hopeful: Fifteen Theses for Christians in a Crisis-Shaped World’

In this excerpt from his upcoming book, a scholar reflects on wandering and welcome.

By Jesse A. Zink Principal, Montreal Diocesan Theological College

Image link to article: ‘Faithful, Creative, Hopeful: Fifteen Theses for Christians in a Crisis-Shaped World’

‘White Poverty: How Exposing Myths About Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy’

In the closing chapter of a recent book, the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II writes about the hope he sees when poor people come together to advocate for better working conditions and better policies.

By William J. Barber II Activist and pastor

Image link to article: ‘White Poverty: How Exposing Myths About Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy’

‘Looking Up: A Birder’s Guide to Hope Through Grief’

Peace comes to us in different clothing than we may expect, writes author Courtney Ellis in this excerpt from her meditation on birding as a practice of hope.

By Courtney Ellis Associate pastor, Presbyterian Church of the Master

Image link to article: ‘Looking Up: A Birder’s Guide to Hope Through Grief’

‘From Weary to Wholehearted: A Restorative Resource for Overcoming Clergy Burnout’

In this excerpt from her new book addressing clergy and lay leader burnout, a Philadelphia priest raises a “scandalous question” about choosing whether to say yes or no.

By Callie Swanlund Priest and retreat leader

Image link to article: ‘From Weary to Wholehearted: A Restorative Resource for Overcoming Clergy Burnout’

‘The Good News of Church Politics’

Church involvement in local politics can be a spiritual practice, but it’s important to keep the entire community in mind, an associate professor at Virginia Theological Seminary writes in this excerpt.

By Ross Kane Director of doctoral programs, Virginia Theological Seminary

Image link to article: ‘The Good News of Church Politics’

‘When God’s Call Is Bigger Than a Building’

The Rev. Ashley Goff reflects on her congregation’s long — and sometimes contentious — process of building 173 apartments for low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities in this excerpt from “Gone for Good?”

By Ashley Goff Pastor, Arlington Presbyterian Church

Image link to article: ‘When God’s Call Is Bigger Than a Building’

‘Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems and Meditations for Staying Human’

In her newest book, Cole Arthur Riley offers reflections and spiritual exercises while curating the wisdom of Black leaders who have gone before.

By Cole Arthur Riley Writer

Image link to article: ‘Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems and Meditations for Staying Human’