BENEVOLENCE

(if interested, click on title or image for more information or to purchase from Amazon.com)

Serving Those in Need: A Handbook for Managing Faith-Based Human Services Organizations (Hardcover)

"Given the increased pressures and higher demand on social-service organizations, faith-based providers must find ways to increase their effectiveness while maintaining their religious distinctiveness. Serving Those in Need provides practical answers for those engaged in the delivery of human and social services. The editor and contributors draw from their deep commitment to faith, from a sense that religion plays a powerfully important role in people's lives and in our public life. For those who view service to others as a means of realizing their faith, this book will be tremendously useful."

Establishing A Church-based Welfare-to-Work Mentoring Ministry: (Paperback)

"With the passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, the landmark welfare reform law, churches and faith-based ministries possess new opportunities and challenges in serving poor and need families. The old welfare system has been replaced with a new approach to poverty fighting that emphasizes hands-up help instead of hand-outs. Welfare aid now aims to free recipients from dependency on it, and help them achieve greater economic self-sufficiency. This transition to independence from welfare frequency requires intense, personalized assistance that churches and ministries are well positioned to provide. This manual is designed to help congregations seize the ministry opportunity afforded by welfare reform; namely, the chance to build face-to-face relationships with economically distressed families in our local communities through which humble, loving Christ-like service can be demonstrated. To do this well, we must understand both the Biblical mandate for caring for the poor and the unique configuration of the Churchs outreach (as distinct from the social service programs of government or secular nonprofits.)"

Seeing Children, Seeing God: A Practical Theology of Children and Poverty (Paperback)

"Church leaders have often referred to children as 'the church of tomorrow.' Yet, as Pamela Couture so vividly reminds us, children are the church of the present. Moreover, children have not been given the care and attention they rightly deserve. Couple this observation with an additional element of poverty, and the end result is an all but forgotten stratum of society.  Toward this end, relationships are the primary bridge-builders of community care. The author is careful to remind her readers, who perhaps may be guilt-stricken as a result of her stark commentary, 'Do not rush to save the world' (61). It is better to offer quality care to even one, than window-dressing to hundreds. The church can help, but it is time to start!"

Dirty Faith: Becoming the Hands and Feet of Jesus (Paperback)

"In their first book, music group Audio Adrenaline challenges their fans to do more than just sing along to their songs. In Dirty Faith, the band encourages students to put their faith in action--no matter what the cost. Through a series of questions, answers, and real life stories, Audio A first tests their fans' understanding of Jesus and all that the Christian life entails. Who did Jesus say He was? What is ministry? How should we worship? Readers quickly learn that being Jesus' hands and feet can be gritty, unpopular, radical--but it's always the life most worth living."

The Giving Heart: Unlocking the Transformative Power of Generosity in Your Life (Paperback)

"In her latest examination of the virtues people need to cultivate for the 21st century, The Works magazine columnist M. J. Ryan shows how giving time, energy, kind words, loving gestures, and forgiveness will, in the end, matter more than any amount of money. Through heartfelt essays, Ryan encourages everyone to give from the joyous overflow of a loving heart, to consider how they are stingy, and to think about types of generosity. In a down-to-earth way, she gets to the heart of giving and what it does for the giver and the recipient."

How to Increase Giving in Your Church: A Practical Guide to the (Paperback)

"One of the most difficult tasks facing any church leader is the issue of raising funds. It's not that we don't realize that tithing and giving are biblical issues: God's Word is full of strong statements about the stewardship of money. But how does a pastor convey God's heart for stewardship? Literally, what's the best way to raise the money your church needs to survive? Obviously, God is the one who builds the church--He is the ultimate provider. But what's the best process of shepherding the funds He has for your church? This step-by-step guide will give you tools you need to raise funds in your church--scripturally and successfully--without compromising biblical integrity."

What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty: (Paperback)

"Churches are often perceived as open, welcoming environments and many times that's true. But congregations, without even realizing it, sometimes make themselves inhospitable to people from poverty. For those situations, Dr. Ruby K. Payne and Rev. William Ehlig wrote what Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty. They use stories to help illustrate the way people from poverty view middle-class churches, and how to change those perceptions. They also provide solutions and tactics to teach church members and leaders some of the special considerations that can be afforded the disadvantaged."