Thursday, October 23, 2008

New book on formation

As parents, all of us are helping to form our child's
character. Even if you are doing nothing, you are
leaving a mark by your un-involvement. On the
other hand, most of us are hands on and involved
in shaping, molding, and framing
our child's outlook on life. At the early stages
of development no one, let me say that again,
no one, has more influence than
you. Later, around the 11 - 13 age range,
friends will begin to have more influence than
you. But parents have the most
impact on young children. What are you
doing to help form and shape your child's
character, their outlook on life and
the important decisions we all have to
make on a daily basis? This book can
help you keep parenting well.
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E-Release
Announcing a new release from Kregel Academic & Professional


NOW AVAILABLE!

0825420164

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0825420164

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. . . or from your favorite bookseller!
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Review Copies & Interview Requests
To request a review copy of Foundations of Spiritual Formation, or to arrange an interview with Paul Pettit, send a reply e-mail or contact Leslie Paladino at 1-800-733-2607 x245.

Foundations of Spiritual Formation
A Community Approach to Becoming Like Christ

9780825434696




Edited by Paul Pettit

Category: RELIGION / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth
ISBN: 978-0-8254-3469-3
$22.99 paperback | 336 pages
AUGUST 2008 (Available)








Foundations of Spiritual Formation takes a unique approach to its subject, arguing that we become like Christ in the context of authentic, Christian community. Without undermining individual Bible study, private prayer, and meditation, the authors emphasize these pursuits for the purpose of both personal and community enrichment--that the whole body, as well as the individual, may be built up.

Part 1 lays the foundations of spiritual formation. Jonathan Morrow develops a distinctively evangelical theology, while Richard Averbeck writes about worship. Then Gordon Johnston and Darrell Bock delve into the text of Scripture, grounding the pursuit of spiritual formation in revealed truth.

Part 2 focuses on functional aspects of spiritual formation. Klaus Issler emphasizes the importance of the heart in spiritual formation, while Reid Kisling illustrates the vital connection between character development and spiritual formation. Bill Miller explores love's role as the motivation for spiritual formation. Andrew Seidel examines servant leadership, and George Hillman extends the discussion to include the significance of calling. Gail Seidel discusses personal narrative as a catalyst for spiritual formation, and in closing, Harry Shields advocates the public preaching of the Word as a tool for spiritual formation.


About the Author . . .

Dr. Paul Pettit is director of spiritual forma
tion at Dallas Theological Seminary. He is also the author of Congratulations, You're Gonna Be a Dad; Congratulations,Pettit, Paul You've Got Tweens; and Dynamic Dads.










Monday, October 06, 2008

New organization for boys

Wonderful story over at The Meridian Star:

Navy Rear Admiral to kick off male ministry at West Mt. Moriah MBC today

By Ida Brown / senior staff writer

One of the Navy's 11 African-American Rear Admirals will help kickoff a local ministry aimed at young men.

Two-Star Rear Admiral Arthur J. Johnson Jr. will be the keynote speaker at today's launch of Challenge to Manhood, an empowerment initiative sponsored by West Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. A fellowship hour will precede the program.

Challenge to Manhood is a teaching/nurturing program geared to males ages 12-20. According to the Rev. Odell Hopkins, pastor, the idea was prompted from a similar ministry for girls presented at the church.

"After our presentation of Debs for Christ, we realized that a lot of attention is poured out to our girls – presenting them and making sure they are being taught and nurtured – and we looked around and discovered that we had equally that many young men in the church, from the ages of 12 to 20," Hopkins said. "And while these young men are involved in the church's ministries and activities, no one really focuses on their development at the same level as for the girls."

Hopkins and several West. Mt. Moriah's youth leaders decided to create such a program.

"We felt this was the time to grab hold to them – while their minds are supple, while we can do some things to help develop them to be young men who, first of all, in whom God would be pleased, that the community could use, and that we could help direct their future to success," he said. "It's not only a Biblical and religious move to another level, but also one that is the right thing to do culturally and socially."

Participants will complete a series of lessons, and from the lessons will move to a mentoring process. Each will be paired with an adult male member of the church who will serve as their mentor. Additional guidance will be provided by the older men of church, referred to as Pillars of Wisdom.

"So they (participants) will be challenged to learn life lessons from their mentor, and then learn at least one word of wisdom from their Pillar of Wisdom that will carry them through their life," Hopkins said.

The year-long self-improvement program will culminate with a Rites of Passage celebration.

Hopkins said Johnson was asked to help introduce the program because of his involvement with youth.

"He was at the christening of the SS New York and I watched him as he interacted with the people, specifically the young people. He has a real passion for young people," he said. "He also informed me that our area (Meridian) is not aware of scholarship money available through the U.S. Armed Services to help young people go to college, and special incentives to attend Ivy League schools. He said he wanted to raise local awareness to that funding."

Born in Burlington, Vt., Johnson attended the United States Naval Academy, graduating in May 1979 with a bachelor of science degree in international security affairs. Following an initial TAD assignment to Fighter Squadron 171, he entered flight training in Pensacola, Fla., and earned his Naval Aviator wings in February 1981.

Upon completion of flight training, Johnson was assigned to Training Squadron 3 as a flight instructor flying the T-34 aircraft. In May 1983, he completed his initial P-3 training at Patrol Squadron 31, NAS Moffett Field, Calif., and was assigned to Patrol Squadron 6, NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, flying P-3B MOD aircraft. While attached to VP-6, he qualified as instructor pilot and mission commander, and completed three deployments to NAS Cubi Point, Republic of the Philippines.

Johnson is currently assigned to the Navy Marine Safety Center at Norfolk, Va. He is the son of Arthur Sr. and Delores Johnson of Meridian.

Challenge to Men is not limited members of West Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church.

"We've included young men from other churches and encourage other ones in the community to participate. I think our mentors and Pillars of Wisdom have a lot to offer," Hopkins said.

Information

What: Kickoff of youth male

ministry Challenge to Men

When: Today. Fellowship hour, from 5 p.m.-6 p.m.; program to begin at 6 p.m.

Where: West Mt. Moriah

Missionary Baptist Church, 10530 Woods Road

Keynote speaker will be Two-Star Rear Admiral Arthur J. Johnson.

For more information: Contact The Rev. Odell Hopkins, pastor, at (601) 693-4967.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Sibling rivalry gotcha down?

Great advice from our friends over at the National Fatherhood Initiative:

Keep the Peace

Need to save your sanity and keep your kids from causing bodily harm to one another? We've got simple tips to help you ease sibling tension and keep the peace.

Consider Age. Smaller children will need you to step in and help them handle their conflict, but don't be so quick to intervene with older children. Many times, they can and will settle things among themselves, and it is good practice in conflict resolution.

Don't Make It A Big Deal.
Small spat between your kids? Don't blow it out of proportion. Drawing attention to the issue/conflict may actually encourage them to engage in more fights. Praise them when they solve conflict in a constructive way.

Make Each Child Feel Special. Find something different in each child that you can praise and dote on. Your children need to know that they each have worth as individuals. And don't ever compare your children! This will only incite rivalry and breed bitterness.

Give Them Space.
Many times, your children just need to know they have their own space or possessions, particularly if they are older. Encourage sharing, but also respect boundaries, especially when friends are over.

Sibling conflicts are inevitable, and will help your children grow and develop important skills. However, with these principles, you can keep conflict manageable, and make sure that your house is peaceful (well, for the most part).