Now that spring has sprung, Church House Publishing is resourcing the Church for a range of new beginnings – from reflecting on God’s calling to preparing couples for married life. We hope that some of the new resources from Church House Publishing offer fresh perspectives and ideal solutions to these challenges.
Getting ready for the big day
As the main ‘wedding season’ draws closer, two resources provide advice for couples preparing for their wedding day and married life together – and for churches who wish to offer courses to help them. Growing Together – the course aims to provide ministers with quality material to help facilitate group discussions about key themes including communication skills, dealing with conflict, the place of sex in their relationship, and their plans for raising a family.
The course builds on a successful book, also called Growing Together, which was originally published in 2006.
The course is supported by a CD-ROM which includes resources for churches to help run the course, including scripts, handouts and materials to promote the course in their local community.
You can find out more about the course at: http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/product.asp?id=2393690
Preaching with Humanity
Preachers face one of the most awesome callings in the world. Whether you are new to preaching or building on existing skills, Preaching with Humanity will help you in the life-long process of becoming a ‘preacher with humanity’. Tackling questions such as how ‘traditional’ preaching can survive in the YouTube culture, and the place of preaching in a mission-shaped Church, this book provides thought-provoking questions to help preachers reflect on and develop their preaching.
The book is written by Geoffrey Stevenson, a popular speaker and trainer of preachers, and Revd Stephen Wright, former Director of the College of Preachers and currently Tutor in Biblical Studies and Practical Theology at Spurgeon’s College, London. Stephen will discuss the book’s themes at a special event at this year’s Christian Resources Exhibition, held in Esher. The session will take place in room G3 of the Eclipse Pavilion at 1.30pm on Thursday 15th May (no booking necessary; see www.creonline.co.uk for more details about the Exhibition).
Listening for the call
Two publications exploring the nature of God’s call are available to complement church’s activities on or after Vocations Sunday (13th April).
Get A Life! is a five-session course, designed for use with 13-to 18- year olds, to help tackle the question that many young people dread: ‘What do you want to do with your life?’ The topic of ‘calling’ is explored through a range of activities and Bible reflections, ideal for use with lunchtime school groups and pre-or post-confirmation courses. Read more at: http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/product.asp?id=2393808
Life Calling, our five-part course on the subject of ‘vocation’ uses Bible readings, prayer, and group activities including suggestions of screening extracts from films including Billy Elliot. The course material stresses that all Christians are called to know God and to allow that relationship to direct and transform all areas of their life.
Find out more at:
http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/feature.asp?id=2393836
More Reflections for Daily Prayer
The third in this new series of daily Bible reflections based on the Lectionary is now available, covering Pentecost to Trinity 12. Written by high-calibre authors including the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, the Rt Revd Christopher Herbert and the Revd Angela Tilby, the notes provide accessible and stimulating commentaries on the day’s Bible readings in a handy format.
These quarterly reflections are published every January, April, July and October. Find out more or order your set today at:
http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/product.asp?id=2393869
Does your worship help change lives?
Rooted in real-life practice with accessible, non-technical text, Worship Changes Lives inspires the whole worshipping community to think seriously about how worship changes us. Written on behalf of the Liturgical Commission as part of the ‘Transforming Worship’ initiative, this attractive guide uses both words and images to stimulate discussion within PCCs, worship groups, small groups and ministry teams on how worship could be changed to become greater a force for change.
To help you and your church get the most out of the guide, we’ve put additional questions and study material at www.transformingworship.org.uk.
Revd Peter Moger, National Worship Development Officer for the Church of England, will host a special event to discuss the guide’s contents at this year’s Christian Resources Exhibition, held in Esher. The session will take place in room G3 of the Eclipse Pavilion at 12.00pm on Friday 16th May (no booking necessary; see www.creonline.co.uk for more details about the Exhibition).
In the press
You may have read recent reviews for some of our titles in the church press, including Connecting with Baptism (“The book’s exhilarating depths sensitively explore the whole spectrum of baptismal practice within the Anglican Church”, Church Times); and two books offering valuable insights into how churches assess and develop their ministry with young people, Young People and Worship and Young People and Mission (“Worthwhile reading… [raising] important questions about worship and mission”, Church Times). Read more about these recommended books and order online at:
Connecting with Baptism:
http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/product.asp?id=2393503
Young People and Worship:
http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/product.asp?id=2393444
Young People and Mission:
http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/product.asp?id=2393443
For more information on any of these titles or any others that will be published during the year, please contact me or visit www.chpublishing.co.uk. The next bulletin will be issued in July.
