This Christmas, bless the readers in your life with a book written by one of the professors at Lancaster Bible College. Choose from a variety of genres, from touching stories to informational texts, to find a Christmas gift for those who enjoy the written word.
‘Aftermath: A Book for the Spiritually Wounded’ by Dr. Stephen Grusendorf
This is a book for those who’ve been burned, bruised or wounded in the Church. It’s an invitation to rediscover Jesus in the aftermath—that difficult, pivotal period following a painful or disappointing church experience. In the aftermath, you may find yourself questioning your purpose (“God, what’s your plan for me?”), your call (“God, do you have something different for me?”) and even your faith (“God, how could you let this happen to me?”).
“Aftermath” walks you through very practical steps toward hope and healing. It uses biblical examples of how God has faithfully walked alongside others who have experienced pain in ministry and service. These examples reinforce that the aftermath isn’t the end of your story. It can be the beginning of something new if you’re willing to work through the pain to renew your relationship with Jesus, and in turn, rediscover spiritual health.
‘Talking About Ethics’ by Dr. Mark Farnham
“Talking About Ethics” provides students with all the tools necessary to develop a coherent approach to ethical decision making. The authors demonstrate how various moral theories play out in relation to a wide variety of ethical questions using an accessible dialogue format. The chapters follow three college students as they discuss today’s most important ethical issues with their families and friends, including: immigration, capital punishment, legalization of narcotics, abortion, premarital sex, reproductive technologies, gender identity, the environment and many more subjects.
The engaging dialogue format illustrates how these topics often take shape in the real world, as well as models critical thinking and Christian ethical decision making.
‘A War on All Fronts Revisited: 2005-2020’ by Anthony Johnson
Since 2005, African-Americans have accomplished monumental achievements, such as electing the first African-American president in the United States. From sports, entertainment, law enforcement and politics, African-Americans and other people of color continue to rewrite the American landscape. Black people continue to make great strides despite living in a nation where there’s still individuals that view them as second class citizens and for others – not citizens at all.
“A War on All Fronts Revisited: 2005-2020” looks at the landscape of African-American life during the past 15 years in America. What accomplishments were achieved and what are the obstacles impeding future successes?
‘Designed, No Less’ by Dr. Kenneth Laudermilch
“Designed, No Less” is the story of Kenneth Laudermilch’s special-needs son from infancy to adulthood. It is a journey that parents are not initially prepared to take, but looking back, it is a path the Laudermilches would not have wanted to miss. Through it, they have seen firsthand the marvelous providence of God in the face of infirmity.
The author’s hope is that their experiences and observations will encourage and prepare young parents in similar circumstances—that they, too, will witness the unmerited, unforeseen, yet undeniably magnanimous love, grace and faithfulness of God that has a way of bursting upon dark, difficult paths when least expected.
‘Get Over Yourself’ by Dr. James R. Love Sr.
The kingdom of God may seem evasive and intangible, but Dr. James R. Love Sr. helps readers experience its present reality and future culmination in “Get Over Yourself.” Both encouraging and exegetically sound, Dr. Love starts in Genesis, then travels through the Bible to teach practical principles of daily kingdom living.
His book also helps readers learn what it means to be born again, what it means to love one another, and why trouble and tribulation are doorways into the kingdom of God. Noting Jesus spent more time talking about the kingdom of God than anything else, “Get Over Yourself” help Christians die to self and start living for something more important: the eternal!
‘So You Want to Preach?’ by Dr. James R. Love Sr.
“So you Want to Preach?” is the culmination of years of teaching homiletic courses at Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary & Graduate School, Denver Seminary (Metro Campus) and Bethel Seminary and doing many preachers’ workshops. The author focuses on how to build a biblical sermon, on sound exegesis and hermeneutics.
This book is intended for experienced pastors who need to brush up on their preaching acumen, lay preachers who are just beginning to develop their skills as preachers and for those who want to know what all the fuss is about regarding preaching.
‘The Dance of the Gifts’ by Dr. Kenneth Quick
Much has been written on how God speaks to us as individuals, but the bookshelves are bare when it comes to helping leaders know how God speaks to and guides a ministry. “The Dance of the Gifts: How Ministry Leaders Can Discern God’s Will” seeks to help fill that gap. It enables leaders to discern God’s will for their ministry in a thoroughly biblical manner by developing a better understanding of how spiritual gifts work together.
Discussion questions are provided at the end of each chapter, making “The Dance of the Gifts” a helpful resource for training ministry leaders.
‘Knowing God to Make Him Known’ by Dr. Ed Scheuerman
Christians are all too familiar with the dichotomy between “being a Mary” (sitting at Jesus’ feet) and “being a Martha” (being active in ministry). We have been told that before we can do, we first need to be. All this is well and good, but it is insufficient. Before we can be, we first need to know. We need to know who God is so that we can then be who we are intended to be in Christ.
This book focuses on knowing God, in his many attributes, so that we can become conformed to his image, in order to do what he’s called us to do to bring the gospel to the world.