MAJOR ARTICLES
Who May Serve? by Christian and Amy Piatt. We are witnessing a division within the greater church. As ministry gradually begins to reflect the great pluralism of the American culture around it, inevitable impasses arise with respect to traditional values, morals, and guidelines about who may and may not serve as leaders. The authors, both Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) clergy, Amy is a pastor and Christian is a writer/editor. This article is a chapter out of their latest book, "Myspace to Sacred Space: God for a New Generation." While this chapter focuses on the question of ordination of gays and lesbians, in doing so raises the larger question, "Who May Serve." A descriptively written article.
Are We Really Ready for Seekers? by Rev. Dr. David A. Williams, APC. In reading a recent article in Sharing the Practice (Vol. 31, No. 2, Summer 2008 entitled "A Seeker Encounters the Church") "I was struck," (writes this author) "as I always am, by the several challenges that face many mainline congregations when it comes to the integration of new people into our communities." The author is rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of Charleston, SC. He writes as a pastor and out of his background as a psychoanalytically trained pastoral counselor and psychotherapist. He catches the nuances so missing in the generalizations about seekers and congregations.
A Sex Offender and a Faith Community's Redeeming Efforts by an anonymous member of the Academy of Parish Clergy. This is a story of how a group of Christians and their faith community responded to a member of that community, and to his family, when he was arrested, imprisoned and on probation as a sex offender. Contact the Editor-in-Chief of this journal if contact with the author is desired.
A Ministry of Reconciliation, by Rev. Dr. David Imhoff, APC. If the Bible can be considered "The Story of Reconciliation," then the church should never give up as the author has long been inclined to do. Two stories of long term antagonism and what might be called "miraculous" reconciliation.
Resources for Ministry as shared by the Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Robert Cornwall, APC.
BOOK REVIEWS (Over 60 seminary libraries subscribe to Sharing the Practice. Subscriptions are $30/year. Individual copies are $7.50.
FAITH AND HEALTH: Religion, Science, and the Public Policy. By Paul D. Simmons. Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press, 2008, 293 pp. The author engages head on some of the most controversial bioethical issues today. Former Professor of Ethics at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, he is presently Clinical Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Louisville. Reviewed by William Powell Tuck, FAPC.
THE GOSPEL OF FATHER JOE: Revolutions and Revelations in the Slums of Bangkok. By Greg Barrett, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2008, 319 pp. A fascinating book about a modern day prophet, a non-conformist Catholic priest named Joe Maier who has ministered in the slums of Bangkok. Reviewed by William Powell Tuck, FAPC.
THE BISHOP'S DAUGHTER. By Honor Moore. New York: W. W. Norton, 2008, 365 pp. This is the author's memoir of life with her father, the late Bishop Paul Moore. It is about the bishop--revelation or scandal, two very different persons in one, subject to faults yet capable of acts of great love and generosity. Reviewed by Lawton W. Posey, FAPC.
JESUS THROUGH MIDDLE EASTERN EYES: Cultural Studies in the Gospels. By Kenneth E. Bailey. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2008. 443 pp. Another superb book by this well-known author experienced in the languages and culture of the Middle East. English-speaking readers of the bible need to be confronted with other cultural readings to become more aware of their assumptions and the way they lead us to interpret these texts. Reviewed by James McGrath.
MYSPACE TO SACRED SPACE: God for a New Generation. By Christian Piatt and Amy Piatt. St. Louis; Chalice Press, 2007. 167 pp. (See above featured article by these authors). Reviewed by Robert D. Cornwall, APC.
NOW THAT I HAVE CANCER, I AM WHOLE. By John Robert McFarland, FAPC. Kansas City: Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC., 2007, 298 pages. The author never expected to get cancer. A pastor in superb physical condition, the book is based on his journal written during his treatment. Reviewed by William Powell Tuck, FAPC.
RISING FROM THE ASHES: Rethinking Church. By Becky Garrison, New York: Seabury Books, 2007. 177 pp. The author has assembled major players in the "Emergent Church" smorgabord. Here are the responses and summaries from a great variety of souces. Reviewed by John F. Lavoe, APC.
INSIDE WORLD RELIGIONS: An Illustrated Guide. By Kevin O'Donnell, Fortress Press, 2007. 192 pages. Twelve religions were studied from the inside out. A valuable resource enhancing the faith of Christians. Reviewed by Paul Bauman, APC.
MODERN AMERICAN RELIGION: Vol. 3, Under God, Indivisible, 1941-1960, by Martin E. Marty, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1996. 548 pages. What can be read as "story," Marty includes how American religion began understanding and changing, with the most visible evidence being the phrase, "Under God" inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance. Reviewed by Donald W. Shilling, FAPC
INTELLIGENT DESIGN: William A. Dembski & Michael Ruse in Dialogue. Edited by Robert B. Stewart. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007. xvii + 257 pp. Fourteen other authors also contribute to this volume. "Symposium" might be a better word. Reviewed by James G. Deitz, FAPC.
THE NEW PROCLAIMATION COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPELS. By Andrew Gregory, David Bartlett, Morna Hooker and Henry Wansbrough: Andrew Gregory, Editor. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2006. xii + 211 pp. A commentary on all of the texts from the four Gospels whhich are in the Revised Common Lectionary. Reviewed by James G. Deitz, FAPC.
THE RESURRECTION OF THE SON OF GOD: Vol. 3, Christian Origins and the Question of God. By N. T. Wright. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003. xxi + 817 pp. A massive, magisterial work on the concept of Resurrection, centered in Biblical study, but not limited to it. Reviewed by James G. Deitz, FAPC.
PAUL & HIS WORLD: Interpreting the New Testament in Its Context. By Helmut Koester. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007. 301 pp. Paul's writings are too often taken (far?) out of context by selected verses to provide topical sermons. Here is relief! Reviewed by Paul J. Binder, APC.
PRAYERS FROM THE DARKNESS: The Difficult Psalms. By Lyn Fraser. New York: Church Publishing, 2005, 124 pp. The third section of this book is particular excellent as the author offers guidlines for incorporating Psalms into a life ground in prayer for people who are suffering. Reviewed by John Lavoe, APC.
WALKING TOWARDS HOPE: Experiencing Grace in a Time of Brokenness. By Paul Beckingham: Kitchener, Ontario: Castle Quay Books, 2005. 260 pp. Because of the author's traumatic brain injury, his writing is about the launching of a new journey towards hope amidst the brokenness that a tragedy brought into his and his family's lives. Grace is not always the return to triumphant gloriousness. Reviewed by John Crowe, APC.
CHRISTIANITY WORTH BELIEVING: Hope-Filled, Open-Armed, Alive-and-Well Faith for the Left Out, Left Behind, and Let Down in Us All. By Doug Pagitt. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2008. xiii + 242 pp. Pagitt, pastor of Minneapolis' Solomon's Porch, writes of his faith journey, told through story and autobiography, and also introduces what has become known as Emergent Christianity. Reviewed by Robert D. Cornwall, APC.
FOUNDING FAITH: Providence, Politics, and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America. By Steven Waldman. New York: Random House, 2008. xvi + 277 pp. This is the latest exploration of the intersection of religion and public life. Waldman is a journalist and founder of Beliefnet.com. Reviewed by Robert D. Cornwall, APC.
LIVING FAITH: How Faith Inspires Social Justice. By Curtiss Paul Deyoung. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007. 196 pp. In a world that questions whether spirituality is relevant and helpful in the pursuit of peace and justice issues, the author writes a clear message that faith matters and is a positive contribution. Reviewed by John Rauhut, APC.
THE POST AMERICAN WORLD. By Fareed Zakaria. New York: W.. W. Norton, 2008. 292 pp. Although similar in content and tone to Tom Friedman's The World is Flat, the perspective is different. The author is a Muslim, an immigrant from India, editor of Newsweek International, and host of his own CNN show. Reviewed by Robert D. Cornwall, APC.