Bøger udgivet af ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIV

Utilizing a common set of objective institutional markers as a compass, this book guides readers through the terrain of various Christian institutions. The Christian higher education landscape confuses many people. Future students, parents, staff, and even faculty often do not under- stand the important subtleties and nuances. They need a guide that empirically explores the ways Christian universities operationalize their Christian identity. This book will guide them through the field of Christian higher education and introduce our Operationalizing Christian Identity Guide (OCIG), which identifies the major ways Christian colleges and universities use their Christian identity to make mission, marketing, membership, curriculum, cocurricular, and other decisions (an online spreadsheet of OCIG scores for all the Christian colleges and universities in North America updated in real-time will be available to readers). These markers are identifiable by anyone, no matter their religious or nonreligious background. The OCIG is then employed to provide readers a tour of Protestant, historically Black, Catholic, evangelical/multidenominational, and Eastern Orthodox institutions in the United States and Canada. Parents, students, staff, and faculty will be equipped to engage Christian higher education with a clearer understanding of these key elements and their importance to the mission and purposes of individual institutions and Christian higher education at large.

Hispanics are not a current trend. They have been here for centuries and embody an integral part of the United States and higher education. Every racial term--including Hispanic, Latino/a, and more recently Latinx and Latine--is imperfect and problematic. There is no consensus about what works best. Despite this reality, the lives and stories of non-White faculty are essential to the future of Christian higher education. Each author shares their account of working in a predominately White Christian institution. Filled with triumphs, struggles, and penetrating insights, the chapters explain what it is like to experience the shifting demographics of today's universities, which are bringing increasing numbers of Hispanic students even as the overall number of Hispanic colleagues remains exceedingly small. This book will be especially useful for leaders who may be unaware of how difficult it is to navigate the challenges of Christian higher education as Hispanic faculty.

Most college students struggle tremendously with their bodies. Numerous issues related to the body plague higher education. Students struggle with sleep, mental health, eating disorders, sexual identity questions, clothing choices, obesity, and alcohol problems, among other concerns. Too often Christian colleges try to meet these challenges with rules instead of setting forth a vision of what it means to steward the body--a precious gift from God that has been bought with a price by Christ. Students, faculty, and staff at faith-based institutions need a theological framework and biblical wisdom by which they can better understand, nurture, and celebrate life in all its fullness. Stewarding Our Bodies draws from the expertise and experiences of researchers and practitioners both within and outside higher education to provide relevant insights and suggestions for those who desire to help students better bear God's image. Most important of all, it sets forth a positive vision by which to understand the precious gift God has entrusted to us--our bodies.

God is at work in the lives of children. Most ministers are looking for inspiration but feel overwhelmed. Children's Ministry and the Spiritual Child offers practical tools with evidence-based research in an easy-to-read format, perfect for engaging and equipping passionate yet busy children's ministry leaders. Learn from the wisdom and research of some of the leading thinkers in the field of children's spirituality about best practices of ministry in both personal and community settings. - Section 1: Reviews ways to engage a child's innate spiritual capacity- Section 2: Considers the equipping role a family plays in a child's spiritual life- Section 3: Outlines intergenerational involvement in a child's faith formation- Section 4: Offers advice for care and compassion for children when trauma happens- Section 5: Brings everything together with hands-on ideas for putting the research to use

"The Diversity Playbook offers readers a unique opportunity to gain a sneak peek into the world of the other. Authors Michelle Loyd-Paige and Michelle D. Williams note that many diversity efforts fail simply because organizations don't share a common language as they talk about diversity. To answer this problem, they address three key audiences in Christian organizations: Section One-Wisdom for Diversity Professionals Section Two-Guidance for Outliers, Allies, Co-conspirators Section Three-Strengthening Diversity throughout Your Organization Building on their years of experience in Christian higher education, Loyd-Paige and Williams share pitfalls to avoid and plans that can extend God's ministry of reconciliation to everyone. Their work will help your organization become better at changing hearts and broadening minds"--

Perhaps the best available introduction for students to the aims and purposes of a Christian college education.... I see this book as a potential replacement for Arthur F. Holmes's venerable The Idea of a Christian College. "€" MICHAEL HAMILTON, Chair, Department of History, Seattle Pacific University A trusted first-year text at Christian colleges and universities Why College Matters to God is a brief, easy-to-read introduction to the unique purpose of a Christian college education. It has been widely used by Christian colleges and universities over the past decade because of its unsurpassed ability to be substantive yet accessible. The book draws on the insights of a wide range of Christian philosophers, theologians, historians, and scientists, but communicates key concepts in straightforward language that connects with a general audience. Brief enough to be paired with other texts, Why College Matters to God is an ideal introduction to the why and how of Christian learning for students, faculty, staff, and parents. The third edition preserves the qualities of the previous editions along with updated illustrations and new material on important topics such as: - Christian learning and the challenges of technology- Christian vocation, career preparation, and the liberal arts- Diversity and civility on campus- The habits of the highly effective college student

Believers are abandoning faith. But why? Atheism is on the rise. What, if anything, can be done to prevent this trend? The Anatomy of Deconversion goes to the source of these issues and gives readers a broad picture of the deconversion process. Learn why believers lose their faith, and, perhaps more importantly, discover why so many former Christians claim to be happier, freer, and more fulfilled as unbelievers than they were as Christians. No one fully escapes the pitfalls in life that create a faith crisis. However, learning to navigate these times of crisis is the key to developing a grounded, flourishing faith. Based on data gleaned from first person interviews and written narratives, The Anatomy of Deconversion uncovers the reasons, processes, and impacts of deconverting from Christianity. Unlike other books that address the topic of deconversion from a purely theological perspective, The Anatomy of Deconversion takes a multidisciplinary approach. In doing so, it provides the only comprehensive account of deconversion available today.

How does the Christian faith inform Christian student affairs practice? How should it? Instead of placing Christ outside the realm of education, Christ should serve as the motivating and animating force for all of Christian student affairs. With Christ at the center of education, the Christian story distinctly transforms the nature of the work education professionals do. With research from a national mixed-methods study, Christ-Enlivened Student Affairs avoids the common response of anecdotal evidence by providing a catalog of some of the best thinking and practices in the field. Glanzer, Cockle, Graber, and Jeong use the framework of educational philosophies to trace how Christianity animates the who, why, what, and how of student affairs, offering evidence-based resources, and new tools for engaging new practitioners in the field, and a larger theological perspective for Christian student affairs.

Jesus said, "Go and make disciples." So, what exactly are we doing? Western churches face a difficult future marked by numerical decline and evident signs of shrinking cultural influence. But Discipleship in Community wisely asks the church to go back to basics. What does it mean to follow Jesus? What does a life of discipleship look like? Trusted scholars Mark Powell, John Mark Hicks, and Greg McKinzie invite you to consider how good theology can lead to better, more intentional discipleship. In Discipleship in Community you will learn[€[ how the language of Trinity matters to everyday disciples;[€[ how God's plan and mission is unfolding and how, as disciples, we can participate in that mission;[€[ how the Bible is more than a book of facts and how it guides us into a relationship with God;[€[ how baptism and the Lord's Supper allow us to experience God's saving power; and[€[ how local churches can encourage intentional discipleship.

We've Remembered Our First Freedom, Until Now. Religious freedom is one of the most important freedoms that the American experiment has given the world. Sadly, many have forgotten not only the importance of our first freedom but also that its roots are founded in biblical principles that call us to champion religious freedom for all. As a result of our inattention, the religious liberties we take for granted are now being challenged. Our response at this critical time in history will have a significant and lasting impact on the direction of the United States. In Set Free, editors Art Lindsley and Anne R. Bradley explore the biblical underpinnings of religious freedom and how those biblical roots have been understood throughout history, the essential role of religious freedom in promoting human flourishing, and why this precious freedom must be restored at all costs, for people of all faiths, not just our own. With contributions from Christian theologians, historians, and public policy analysts, Set Free provides readers with a firm understanding of Christianity's unique and essential contribution to religious freedom.

The Stone-Campbell (Restoration) Movement was born as a Christian renewal effort in the early 19th century. This book tells the story of Christian Churches and Churches of Christ in a brief and compelling way. It is ideal for long-time members, new members, and those unfamiliar with this significant group of churches and its place in American Christianity. A Teacher's Guide is included in this volume.

Leaders in Christian communities are all asking the same question: How can we bring the generations back together? InterGenerate addresses important questions of why we should bring the generations back together, but even more significantly, how we can bring generations back together. In this edited collection, ministers, church leaders, and Christian educators will find valuable, new generational theory perspectives, fresh biblical and theological insights, and practical outcomes backed by current research. InterGenerate offers important guidance on topics including [€[ intergenerational spiritual disciplines, [€[ transitioning from multigenerational to intergenerational, [€[ new research that focuses directly on intergenerational ministry and offers practical outcomes to implement, and [€[ benefits of intergenerational ministry for the most marginalized generations. An exciting and distinctive aspect of InterGenerate is the vast diversity of voices"€"men and women ranging in age from millennials to baby boomers, representing multiple countries and over a dozen denominations"€"all seeking ways to become more intentionally intergenerational in their outlook and practice.

More and more adults are seeking to develop themselves and improve their professional opportunities by completing a college degree. Whether business professionals, salespersons, nurses, parents, or persons engaged in any other profession, many working adults recognize the value of furthering their education. And more and more universities are providing special degree tracks for such non-traditional students. This book is designed to help all of those who are "reconsidering college" to understand the value of adult education and explain some ways that such an education can be distinctively Christian. It addresses important topics for the Christian adult student, such as: The purpose and value of work from a Christian perspective. The practical and intrinsic value of education for working adults. Christian worldview and adult education: What difference does it make? Integrating faith, learning, and living in the professional world.