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The Faithful Shepherd Pastors and Elders Conference

Posted on by Kim

The Faithful Shepherd Pastors and Elders Conference is only a few weeks away (May 5-7). Sponsored by the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and P&R Publishing, the conference will take place at Harvey Cedars on Long Beach Island, NJ. It will be a catalyst in many churches for renewed growth and ministry.

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This is what our keynote speaker, Pastor Harry Reeder, says about the conference:

“The objective is never church growth. Church growth is the anticipated result. The objective is church health marked by a God-glorifying, Christ-centered, Gospel-driven, Holy Spirit-empowered and Bible-shaped community of believers. Let’s explore it together at the Faithful Shepherds conference May 5-7.”

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And here are 4 more reasons for you and your elders to attend.

Four Biblical Truths That Will Reshape Your Ministry

1. Every church needs strengthening. Harry Reeder will show how God’s instructions to the church at Ephesus serve as an outline for revitalizing churches: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the works you did at first” (Rev. 2:5 esv).

  • What steps do we need to take to return to our first love (Rev. 2:4)?
  • Where do you see the need for strength in your own church?

2. Every pastor needs strengthening and encouragement. Ed Welch will explore the dangers of measuring your worth and effectiveness based on the feedback—verbal or not—of your church members. Learn how to respond wisely to the pressures and opinions of others.

  • Where do you see the need for strength in your own ministry?
  • In what ways do you experience pressure from others?

3. Church members need pastors and elders to shepherd them. Tim Witmer will challenge you as you lead and care for the flock that has been appointed to you by God. Following the instructions laid out in the Bible, you and your elders can work together in thoughtful ministry to your people.

  • In what ways do you see yourself as being a shepherd?
  • In what ways do you see your congregation as a flock?

4. Every pastor will be pushed to his natural earthly limits. And unfortunately, sometimes his church members are the ones who do this. Steve Estes will show you how to deal with “angry sheep,” men and women who seem eager to attack or undermine you and your ministry.

  • In the past, how have your congregants expressed anger and disappointment with you?
  • How have you responded, and how would you have liked to respond?

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For more information, visit our website (www.prpbooks.com/pc), call us at 1(800) 631-0094, or write to us at pastors@prpbooks.com.

 

Making Him Known series – by Sally Michael

Posted on by Kim

1. God’s Names
  • 120 pages
  • $16.99
  • SAMPLE CHAPTER
  • This is a full-color guide for parents to teach their early elementary children about God’s character, as it is revealed in 24 names in the Bible. Each chapter ends with a personal application and activities.
2. God’s Promise
  • 128 pages
  • $16.99
  • SAMPLE CHAPTER
  • Parents can help their early elementary children trust in God’s promises revealed throughout the Bible with this full-color, illustrated guide that includes personal application and suggestions for activities.
3. God’s Providence
  • 128 pages
  • $16.99
  • SAMPLE CHAPTER
  • In this full-color guide to how God’s providence works in the world, parents can stimulate a lively discussion with early elementary children about resting in God’s sovereign care. Each chapter includes personal application and activities.
4. God’s Wisdom
  • 128 pages
  • $16.99
  • SAMPLE CHAPTER
  • Sally Michael helps parents and children discover the joys of wisdom and discern the destruction of foolishness in this full-color, illustrated book that includes application questions and activity suggestions.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sally Michael is the co-founder and publishing consultant of Children Desiring God, and she developed their widely used Sunday school curriculum for young people. She is also an author and a speaker, and she served as Minister for Children at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for sixteen years.

 

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THESE BOOKS:

“Sally Michael has done us a great service in writing God’s Names, that we may tell our children not only that God is, but also who he is.” – Tim Challies, Author, Blogger, Social Media Consultant

“This engaging, attractively illustrated book teaches not only the promises of the Bible, but also the character of the God who makes and keeps his promises.” – Tedd Tripp, President of Shepherding the Heart Ministries

“My heart soars with worship and joy and zeal as I page through Sally’s new book, God’s Providence. . . . Here is a foundation for life that is solid enough to sustain parents and children through the hardest times they will ever face. . . . And here is practical application for children and those who love them enough to teach them.” – John Piper, Author, Associate Pastor for Preaching and Vision, Chancellor, Bethlehem College and Seminary

“Sally Michael seamlessly weaves New Testament and Old Testament stories together to teach biblical wisdom in a way that is clear, fun, and engaging for children. Her compelling word pictures and analogies make difficult concepts easier to grasp.” – Marty Machowski, Pastor, Author of Long Story Short and The Gospel Story Bible

UPCOMING TITLES IN THIS SERIES:

God’s Battle

  • Available September 2014
  • 128 pages (estimated)
  • $16.99
  • Parents want to give their children the tools and knowledge to protect them from physical danger. How much more important is equipping them against the spiritual battles that surround us all? Sally Michael provides the framework for parents to teach their children about the fight of faith. In this full-color, illustrated “battle plan,” she introduces children to the state of their hearts through the gospel message, before awakening them to the many battlegrounds that surround us—both in our own sinful hearts and from the enemy’s attacks. She then encourages children to be fighters, giving them a biblical battle strategy to depend on God, resist the enemy, and stand strong!

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Interview with Christopher Ash

Posted on by Kim

This week we get to learn more about Christopher Ash, author of Discovering the Joy of a Clear Conscience.

  • Tell us a little bit about yourself: where you’re from, family, job, personal interests, unique hobbies, what do you do in your spare time, etc.

I was born and brought up in London, England. My mum and dad still live in the house in London where we moved when I was seven. My dad landed with the first wave of Allied troops on D-Day and is still alive (nearly 95). When I was 17 I came to faith in Christ through a friend at school who invited me on a Christian summer houseparty; I am so grateful to the leaders there for their faithful teaching and prayers, and the way they modeled Christlike love.

Carolyn and I married in 1982 and have been entrusted with three sons, a daughter, two daughters-in-law, and two grandsons. We thank God for them all. We used to have a very dim but lovable dog called Perkins (named after the Elizabethan Puritan), but he has now gone to wherever dogs go.

After studying Engineering at University, I worked briefly for a telecoms company before moving into school teaching, where I taught math for twelve years, in Dorset (SW England) and Edinburgh (at the school where James Bond was supposed to have gone, according to the books!). Then I trained for ordained ministry and served as an assistant minister at a church called St.Andrew the Great in Cambridge, under a fine pastor called Mark Ashton. That fellowship sent us off in 1997 to lead a kind of church plant to a nearby village, so I was the Rector of All Saints, Little Shelford, until 2004, when David Jackman asked me to move to London to pick up responsibility for the Proclamation Trust’s Cornhill Training Course. I have been serving there for the past ten years. I miss local church pastoral leadership, but it is a tremendous privilege to serve our students and to watch and pray as so many of them go on to bible teaching and preaching service of the Lord Jesus afterwards.

 

  • What inspired you to write this book, about this topic?

I was preaching through Romans 14 and 15. Although the word “conscience” is not used in those chapters, the idea of conscience is very prominent. I was grabbed by the strange idea that an action may be at the same time right and wrong: that is, even if it is actually ok, if I think it is wrong to do it, then for me it is wrong! This intrigued me. But when I tried to read around the subject, I found that since Puritan days very few reformed evangelicals have written much about it. So I thought I would have a go, and here it is. It is a really practical and inspiring subject.

 

  • Do you have a specific spot that you enjoy writing most?

God has been very kind to us, and we own a house on the Gower Peninsular in South Wales, where we escape and I write wherever I can. It is close to the sea and hills, with lovely coastal walks. Very quiet. The polar opposite of central London, where we live during Cornhill term-time. I particularly enjoy swimming in the sea, which is pretty bracing. I took some dips this year in March and my family think my head needs seeing to.

 

  • Other than the Bible, do you have a favorite book?

I realize it’s not very original, but I do hugely enjoy The Lord of the Rings. I read it to our sons when they were young, and then read it again to our daughter when she was old enough. I am now reading it to Carolyn at bedtime. Good though the films are, the books are much better – beautifully written and soaked in truth, wonder, and grace.

 

  • Do you have a favorite movie? What is it and why?

I love Sabrina Fair, partly because of nostalgia for old black and white films, partly because Audrey Hepburn is so marvelous with Bogart, and partly because the timing and humour is so good. (Far better than the Harrison Ford remake!)

 

  • What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Don’t – if your motive is to become well-known or respected

Don’t – unless you really are burning to say something you think justifies adding another book to over-full Christian shelves.

Do – if you can set aside time to do thorough study and preparation and really contribute something that other books do not

Do – if others encourage you that you can write decent English and communicate engagingly and clearly. This is not the same as being able to speak in public.

 

  • Do you have a favorite sport?

Yes, I love tennis. I used to play a fair bit, although living in central London I am not able to play now, which is sad. In my teens and early 20s I used to queue and stand to watch both finals days at Wimbledon for five years running. In my view the greatest tennis player ever was Rod Laver; I remember watching him on No.1 Court with my dad.

 

  • Do you support a sports team?

Yes, Swansea City Football Club, the first Welsh side to reach the English Premiership. Hoping not to be relegated this season.

 

  • What famous person (living or dead) would you like to meet and why?

Winston Churchill. I was born on his birthday when he was Prime Minister; an uncle of mine was a Member of Parliament and persuaded him to autograph a book for me. I bore my family with Churchill stuff. But he was a great man.

 

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Interested in learning more about Christopher Ash and his work? Visit www.proctrust.org.uk.

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Upcoming Reformed Expository Commentary (REC) Books

Posted on by Kim

We’ve had quite a few people ask us about which books of the Bible are next for our REC series. So, if you were wondering this, here you go!

1. John (2 Volume Set)

Author: Richard D. Phillips

Estimated Page Count: 1,500 total for both volumes

Price: $59.99

Release Date: August 2014

2. Ecclesiastes

Author: Douglas Sean O’Donnell

Estimated Page Count: 256

Price: $22.99

Release Date: October 2014

3. 1 Peter

Author: Daniel M. Doriani

Estimated Page Count: 304

Price: $24.99

Release Date: October/November 2014

 

 

Recap of New Releases from March

Posted on by Kim
1. The Triune God edited by Ronald L. Kohl
Price: $14.99
Page Count: 352
Paperback
Summary: While the workings of the Trinity challenge our understanding, Bible-believing Christians cannot let themselves downplay the Trinity or ignore it. We find the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each present throughout the pages of Scripture—and each equally deserving of our love and reverence.
This book, while not attempting to define or explain the Trinity, dedicates equal space to examining the qualities and roles of each member as we find them in the Bible, to help us grow in our knowledge and understanding. To do so, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals has gathered essays from leading pastors and preachers on:
GOD THE FATHER
  • Bryan Chapell                    The Greatness of God • The Love of God
  • Richard D. Phillips             The Holiness of God • The Wrath of God
  • Kevin DeYoung                  The Truth of God
GOD THE SON
  • D. A. Carson                      The Glory of the Son • Our Risen Savior
  • Joel R. Beeke                    The Incarnate Word • The Cross of Christ
  • Iain M. Duguid                   The Life and Ministry of Jesus
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
  • D. A. Carson                      Streams of Living Water
  • Michael S. Horton              The Age of the Spirit
  • Philip Graham Ryken         Born of the Spirit
  • Hywel Jones                      Life in the Spirit
  • R. C. Sproul                       Holy Spirit, Counselor
These addresses will make us more familiar with each person of the Trinity and will show us how to rightly respond to each one. The more we know how to relate to the Trinity, the more we can enrich our love for our triune God.

 

2. Loving in God’s Story of Grace by Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage
Price: $12.99
Page Count: 144
Series: Living Story
Spiral bound
Summary: Love. People have tried to understand it since the beginning of time—yet our culture yearns for love more than ever. Is it possible to understand and, more importantly, to live love in a world desperate for it? Elizabeth Turnage reminds us that God alone can show and help us to under-stand love—for he not only loves us, but also empowers us to love as well. In previous studies, Elizabeth has helped us to learn God’s story of grace  and to live it out ourselves. In this final Living Story book, she teaches us the ultimate joy of living in God’s story of grace: loving as God loves us. Beginning by searching the depths and heights of God’s love, she moves on to show us where we fit in and how, by continuing to walk in God’s story, we can learn to love too. If you know God’s story of grace and where your story fits in, learn how to take the next step and make your story bigger than it’s ever been before!

 

3. The Story: The Bible’s Grand Narrative of Redemption
One Year Daily Devotional for Students
by Jon Nielson
Price: $14.99
Page Count: 384
Paperback
Summary: Have you ever tried reading through the entire Bible, only to bail partway through a huge list of names or a chapter on infectious skin diseases? The sixty-six books of the Bible may seem pretty different from each other, but they actually tell one story—a story with one Author, one Hero, and one key plotline. (And yes, sometimes skin diseases do play an important part!) This yearlong, daily study of God’s Word guides you through five acts of his grand story of redemption. Although you won’t read every chapter in the Bible, daily Scripture and devotional readings will equip you to understand the unity and development of God’s story and to grow in your personal discipline of Bible study and prayer.

 

4. 1 & 2 Samuel: Rise of the Lord’s Anointed by Kay Gabrysch
Price: $14.99
Page Count: 464
Series: Tapestry
Paperback
Summary: From the private sorrows of Hannah to the action-packed reign of King David, the narratives of 1 and 2 Samuel make for a gripping read. But how do you best study these stories? What bearing do they have on Christ, the New Testament, or your life today? Kay Gabrysch answers these questions while helping us develop a lasting framework for reading biblical narratives.
  • Recurring “big questions” explore characterization, setting, worldview, conflict, resolution, and relation to Christ.
  • Questions specific to the passages cross-reference to the rest of Scripture.
  • Application questions go straight to your heart and life.

 

5. How Did Evil Come into the World? by William Edgar
Price: $4.99
Page Count: 32
Series: Christian Answers to Hard Questions
Booklet
Summary: In our world things are not the way they are supposed to be. If God is perfect, loving, and powerful, why does he allow this world to be so painful and imperfect? Scripture provides satisfying answers to these questions.

 

6. Did Adam Exist? by Vern S. Poythress
Price: $4.99
Page Count: 40
Series: Christian Answers to Hard Questions
Booklet
Summary: Can we still believe in a historical Adam? Vern Poythress offers a theologically and scientifically informed evaluation of the claims that genetic analyses show Adam could not have existed.

 

7. How Can I Know for Sure? by David B. Garner
Price: $4.99
Page Count: 32
Series: Christian Answers to Hard Questions
Booklet
Summary: To many, the only remaining certainty in our world is uncertainty. Pluralism has convinced us that unchanging truth, if it exists at all, is entirely beyond our grasp. All we are left with is a circular argument in which all the answers come from us. Only the authoritative voice of Scripture can dispel such clouds of doubt and confusion. Garner shows us that we can know truth, and know it with assurance.

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