Donna Claycomb Sokol

There's more to Mary than the carols we sing and the stories we tell at Christmas. James A. Harnish draws on Scripture, tradition, and contemporary experience to explore the surprising claim that the same Christ who was born into the world through Mary can be born into the world again through us. This invites you to live into Mary's story right now As you follow her from the day Gabriel invited her to bear the Son of God to the birth of the church on Pentecost, it will help you become a follower of Jesus who brings hope and healing to a broken world. Through Mary's story, you will discover that Christian life is not only about how you can be "born again" but about how Christ can be "born again" through you.

There's more to Mary than the carols we sing and the stories we tell at Christmas. James A. Harnish draws on Scripture, tradition, and contemporary experience to explore the surprising claim that the same Christ who was born into the world through Mary can be born into the world again through us. This invites you to live into Mary's story right now As you follow her from the day Gabriel invited her to bear the Son of God to the birth of the church on Pentecost, it will help you become a follower of Jesus who brings hope and healing to a broken world. Through Mary's story, you will discover that Christian life is not only about how you can be "born again" but about how Christ can be "born again" through you.

Many urban congregations remember days of fame and fortune--days when their prominence downtown or in city neighborhoods mattered. Population shifts, the decline of congregations and neighborhoods, and demographic changes depleted the dreams of many urban churches. But not all churches gave up hope. Many congregations are struggling to survive, but thousands of urban churches are thriving again. Churches with revived hope learn to let go of nostalgic dreams and tired habits and to walk with God into a new day of vibrant mission and ministry. Donna Claycomb Sokol and Roger Owens share lessons they've learned on the job and from other urban pastors. Along the way, they challenge clichEs about church leadership and strategic planning by showing what congregational renewal can look like and how it can become a reality. Each chapter features a set of practical guidelines for leading a congregation to address the questions that matter most. "The urban church can be quite a challenge. I know because I've served a couple. Now, two thoughtful pastors with actual urban church experience take an affectionate, positive, honest, and hopeful look at the urban church and give practical wisdom for the revival of languishing urban congregations. There's a remarkable revival of the urban church in North America. Donna and Roger can help you be part of it " --William H. Willimon, Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry, Duke Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, NC; retired bishop, The United Methodist Church "Three things excite me most about this book: First, these two young pastors understand the strategic importance of urban ministry and are passionately committed to it. Second, they show that when you turn from tired 'church growth' and corporate paradigms, choosing rather to model your ministry on Jesus, new life happens. And third, they explain that transformation is about journeying faithfully with the questions rather than looking for quick-fix techniques. This book could change your ministry." --Peter Storey, South African church leader; W. Ruth and A. Morris Williams Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the Practice of Christian Ministry, Duke Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, NC