SPCK Publishing

Another lurid newspaper headline: a high-profile figure has fallen from grace. Worse still, he tried to cover it up so that everyone would think he was something he wasn't ... She was a respected figure in her school but it turned out she had been funding her lavish lifestyle with money that didn't belong to her.

Integrity matters. We expect it, naively perhaps, of leaders in all walks of life. We trust people whose words, character and actions are consistent. But why is integrity so rare? Why does our walk not match our talk?

One of the most pertinent and positive examples of integrity in Scripture is that of the apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians his passions and frustrations are clear as he offers us an extraordinary insight into the joys and pressures of Christian leadership. His model is no less counter-cultural today than it was in the first century: leading with God watching. There are lessons for all Christians here, not just for formally recognized leaders.

Jonathan Lamb examines key passages and interweaves them with examples from everyday life. Whether in responding to criticism, exercising authority, coping with failure, handling money or struggling with personal weakness, this book is a call to live consistently in the light of gospel priorities. Only then will our lives speak authentically to a sceptical world.

'Written by an expert, it is historically situated, technologically informed, well-modulated in tone, coherent in argument, theological in orientation, and judicious in illustrations. More than a book of conclusions, its design and structure model the best in the art of robust critique while offering possible ways to consider the appropriate deployment of Artificial Intelligence.' - Bruce A. Little, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, USA.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) pervades much of our lives. We use facial recognition to open our phones, and the state uses it to track us - so what's the problem? Decisions are made using machine learning on our private and personal data, from shopping habits to medical history - have we lost control? We order our digital world in conversation with chatbots - how convenient, but is it changing our relationships with people? The prospect of a self-driving vehicle lies just around the corner - should we care that it might run over a child to save the passenger's life?

Jeremy Peckham shows us how we have become seduced by progress, embracing AI applications for their convenience, yet unwittingly diminishing our ability to be God's image-bearers and losing moral responsibility. Rooted in the biblical truth that humanity is created in God's image, Masters or Slaves? explores six ways in which AI has an impact today. We are challenged where, and how, to set boundaries, both privately and as a society, in order not to fall into addiction, slavery and idolatry.

The Story of the Church gives an accessible and concise survey of the history of the Christian church, from the first century to the twenty-first. Here is an epic tale of high hopes and great disappointments, of bitter persecution and heroic loyalty.

The Story of the Church is an established classic, widely appreciated by several generations of readers. It addresses the central question of why Christianity has spread around the world so successfully, and offers a distinctly evangelical perspective. Its clear structure pinpoints significant people, places, movements and events.

This new edition has been completely revised and updated by Allan Harman.

You are too exhausted to think, never mind pray, your home is a mess and you can't find your Bible ...

'Soul Food' will nourish you through your baby's first year, offering inspirational and practical ideas for applying God's word and incorporating prayer into your daily life. It won't make you feel guilty about the time or energy you simply don't have.

With honesty and humour, the authors draw upon their own, and others', experiences of motherhood. The result is both delightful and unusual.

Succinct, accessible, weekly biblical reflections. A lifeline for every mother with a new baby.

'The earth is the Lord's' (Ps.24:1). God states that He is the rightful owner of the earth and everything in it. God wants people to enjoy material things - but God must be the centre of our lives.

Christ's radical call to his followers includes the call to let him drive our economic and business life. This means letting God's justice rule all our economic relationships: treating people rightly; a constant seeking of justice for, especially, the poor and needy; working so that all participate in God's blessings, including material blessings.

In Part 1, Andrew Hartropp looks at how Christ's followers are to do justice in our economic relationships: as individuals, as households, in the workplace and as church communities.

Then, moving outward (in concentric circles), Part 2 shows how Jesus's disciples can do justice in and through secular institutions, including companies and firms, banks and other financial institutions, then government institutions, and then in the international/global context.

The epilogue is on the glorious vision of God's everlasting kingdom, which both drives us and also keeps our efforts now in proper perspective.

Convinced that real satisfaction can be found only in a relationship with Jesus Christ, the author aims to encourage, inspire and equip all who struggle with same-sex temptations to resist, but 'make him their greatest treasure and live life to the full'.

He invites us to dig deep and discover great truths about our awesome God and his plans and purposes for our lives, for only then can we live bravely, boldly and counter-culturally.

He writes candidly, humbly and sensitively, with fellow strugglers in mind, but also their friends, families and the church leaders who support them, interweaving deeply personal stories from real life. God is good. He can be trusted even in the most painful situation. The surprising paradox is that it is the narrow road that leads to the abundant life promised by Jesus.

'There have been times of personal difficulty when the Psalms alone have been my source of hope, as they directed me to God and his rebuke and discipline but also to his unfailing love and forgiveness.'

The Psalms have an extraordinary ability to enable people to give voice to joy, praise and thanksgiving and an equal ability to turn their fears, frustrations and failures into heartfelt prayer to God. The whole of life is to be found in them, the complete range of emotions and the raw reality of our precarious existence.

Signposts provides a map to help readers chart their way through the Psalms, watch out for points of interest, and make connections between one place and another. This devotional book will repay careful reading with a Bible open alongside it.

- A psalm per page makes for ideal daily reading or preacher's notes.
- Short articles explore significant themes from the Psalms.
- Signposts helpfully provoke reflection, action or response.

... in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28)

The Puritans used to say that 'providence is the last refuge of the saints'. Melvin Tinker's personal experience and work as a pastor have led him to believe that the doctrine of God's providence should be amongst the first refuges for the Christian seeking strength and comfort.

From the early church right through into the nineteenth century, belief in providence was part of the staple diet of professing Christians. For various reasons, the doctrine was eclipsed in the twentieth century, and still lies on the edges of much Christian thought and practice today. However, rightly understood, the providence of God shines as a glorious jewel in the crown of the Christian faith.

Melvin Tinker's exploration and exposition of some of the wonderful facets of that jewel is both pastoral and practical.

'Jonathan Lamb has done an excellent job... The message that God is in control and is enough, even in the most difficult circumstances, rings out loud and clear.' Clare Heath-Whyte, author of First Wives' Club and Old Wives' Tales

Who is in control? The sustained threat from rogue states, international terrorism, religious extremists, and moral confusion arising from liberal views of all kinds begs the question: what is happening to our world?

Is no-one in control? This is a deep vulnerability that many people express. And not simply in global events. Our own personal world often seems out of control as we reel from suffering, family tragedies and unanswered prayers.

The prophet Habakkuk knew that God was in control but, like us, his personal experience seemed to contradict this and he wrestled with the tension.

This book is a dialogue between the prophet and God. Habakkuk confronts God with his confusion and, in doing so, he expresses the voice of the godly in Judah and he speaks for us. We join in the journey from 'why?' to worship.

First published in 1953 and revised in 1961, Merrill Tenney's comprehensive survey has served to introduce the general reader, student, and teacher to the world and message of the New Testament.

Written in a clear, nontechnical style, New Testament Survey begins with a survey of the social, political, economic, and religious background of the New Testament, and then goes on to examine the various groups of New Testament books, which are considered in their historical settings. The book concludes with a penetrating study of the New Testament canon.

Undertaken at the request of Dr. Tenney, and prepared with his full approval, this 1985 revision by Walter M. Dunnett includes an entirely new chapter on the Jewish background of the New Testament, plus several new short sections, including materials on the Gospels and the canon of the New Testament. The bibliography has been enlarged and updated, and many of the book's numerous illustrations, maps, and charts are new. Great care has been exercised to retain the spirit and quality of the original work, ensuring that the book will remain a standard in the years to come.

How can you be an effective leader-maker/leader-making church? There s a critical need right now for new leaders in churches - this should never be the preserve of the elite few.

This book will help you identify, encourage and keep new leaders, planning for maximum effectiveness in the long-term future.

Extract from Chapter 1

1. GOD LOVES YOUR CHURCH

Main principle: God wants to build up your local church, and he provides gifts of spiritual leadership to help the flock grow.

Communities of Christians come in many shapes, sizes and flavours. God is using large and small churches, multicultural and mono-cultural churches, churches with lively worship styles that appeal to the young, and churches that prefer solid older hymns, to witness to neighbourhoods and to the world. Bible-believing churches may exhibit many surface differences, but one thing is true of them all: God loves local churches. He wants to see them built up and flourishing.

Local churches are God's idea, not human institutions. The Bible describes them as the household of God. It says that God lives in the middle of these communities of disciples, through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:22). Jesus revealed just how important churches are to God. He promised God's spiritual provision and protection as we participate in God s plans and purposes when he said, I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it (Matthew 16:18).

Jesus is committed to building his church around the world. And in case you are still in any doubt about how valuable churches are to God, he says in Ephesians 1 that he has made Jesus head over everything in the whole universe for the church. Just imagine that - Jesus is exerting his ruling power in heaven for the good of your church here on earth. Maybe you are part of a church where this reality feels a long way from your current experience, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. God wants your church to thrive. That might not mean spectacular growth in numbers, but it will mean all the believers knowing and enjoying God and falling deeper and deeper in love with Jesus Christ.

Why do bad things happen in our world? Why does God allow suffering? If he exists, why doesn't he do something?

Of all the hurdles to faith, suffering must be the greatest. But how do we answer the question of 'Why?' in a credible, satisfying way?

In this revised and updated edition of an award-winning book that has helped thousands in their journey of faith, scientist Sharon Dirckx explores some of the most agonizing and bewildering questions we all ask. With compassionate warmth and insight, she offers advice to help us cope with suffering and difficulties. Alongside, she interweaves her own experiences and the personal stories of individuals who have faced some of life's toughest challenges, showing us that it is possible to believe in a powerful loving God and acknowledge the reality of evil and suffering.

Why? is a book for anyone who has questioned how suffering and a compassionate God can coexist. It will help you better understand the nature of God in Christianity, and will equip you to answer the question of 'Why?' with confidence and clarity. It is also an ideal apologetics book to give to friends and family just beginning on their faith journey or who are struggling and looking for answers.

If you have ever asked or wondered why God allows suffering, Sharon Dirckx's gentle wisdom in Why? will help you see life from a new perspective - one that makes more, not less, sense of our hurting world.

This devotional book traces the course of David's life through his autobiographical Psalms: From triumphant boy hero to persecution in the court of Saul.

From gifted musician to compromised adulterer and murderer. From his exile on the run to his coronation as the leader of God's people.

The King's songs are a treasure-chest of jewels, telling not mere history but timeless truths about the King of Kings himself, David's magnificent God. With warmth and insight, the author draws out the lessons David learned in his turbulent life with the Lord and the rich gems he has bequeathed to followers of God today.

The Disruption of Evangelicalism is the first comprehensive account of the evangelical tradition across the English-speaking world from the end of the nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century.

It offers fresh perspectives on conversionism and the life of faith, biblical and theological perspectives, social engagement, and mission. Tracing these trajectories through a period of great turbulence in world history, we see the deepening of an evangelical diversity. And as events unfold, we notice the spectrum of evangelicalism fragments in varied and often competing strands.

Dividing the era into two phases-before 1914 and after 1918-draws out the impact of the Great War of 1914-18 as evangelicals renegotiated their identity in the modern world. By accenting his account with the careers of selected key figures, Geoffrey Treloar illustrates the very different responses of evangelicals to the demands of a critical and transitional period. The Disruption of Evangelicalism sets out a case that deserves the attention of both professional and arm-chair historians.

Who is Jesus? Is he the blonde-haired, blue-eyed saviour of bad religious art? Or is he just another 'good thing', alongside Buddha and crystals? Or is he a fiction - the product of a bunch of first-century deluded fanatics?

Bill Donahue has met the real-life dynamic Jesus who even in the twenty-first century can captivate us and transform our lives. And we can encounter him too. In forty short sections, ideal for daily reading, Donahue introduces us to Jesus as provocative teacher, sacred friend, truthful revealer, extreme forgiver, authentic leader, compassionate healer, relentless lover and supreme conqueror.

With guidelines for Bible reading and prayer you will find that you too experience the living, breathing, Son of God.

Most youth ministry is simply too small. Or too time- or fad- bound. Or based on a model of some sort but without solid biblical foundations.

The author is passionate about growing youth ministry that can outlive the youth worker. He deplores particularly the call for 'something' for youth. Something just won't do.

Tim Gough seeks to redress the balance. He takes us on an expositional journey through the Bible as he sees it relating to youth work, pulling out purposeful themes through key stories and passages. He offers guidelines which can be used by any leader as he casts this strong, healthy biblical vision to inspire us. Here is youth leadership training for the long haul.

'May this book contribute to the revival of biblical youth ministry.' Ajith Fernando

'Essential reading for every Christian youth worker.' Andy du Feu

'Combines a vast knowledge of the Bible and youth ministry with an easy-to-read and witty style.' Ruth Jackson

'An important read and worth reading for the sake of our young people.' Phil Moon

A biblical framework for understanding mental illness and helping the mentally ill. Synthesises the relevant biblical material with our scientific understanding of mental illness.

Equips the reader to deal wisely, intelligently and compassionately with issues of mental health in churches and the community. Helps us discern between bad behaviour which is a result of illness and that which results from sin

- How do we deal wisely, intelligently and compassionately with those who suffer from mental illness?

- Can we really make a difference if we aren’t professionals?

- Is it possible to discern between bad behaviour due to illness and that caused by sin

Discover how your church can become a safe, encouraging and healing place.

'The next-best thing to spending a week shadowing Professor Thomas.' Sinclair Ferguson

'Rational, readable and relevant, this book confirms that all involved in pastoral work can help tackle mental illness.' Andrew Fergusson

'The go-to resource for those who want to know more: the wisdom of reliable clinical experience laced with academic rigour and good common sense, all grounded in God’s word. I recommend it highly.' Glynn Harrison

'Empowers us all to play our part.' Debbie Hawker

'An accessible, practical, sensible and biblically grounded resource to help us navigate this challenging terrain.' Sharon James

'Presented in a way that will instil confidence that we can work with mental health professionals.' Nick Pollard

'Alan Thomas has shared his own important insights in what will become a standard book on the subject, accessible and wise.' Geoff Thomas

Soon after Jesus began his public ministry, he called his first 'disciples'. He would teach and train them and then, after his death and resurrection, commission and empower them to go to the nations to make more 'followers'.

The risen Jesus is still calling and sending people today. If we heed his call, the result can be just as transformative and exciting as it was for the first disciples.

While there are no explicit occurrences of the term 'disciple' outside the Gospels and Acts, with only two further biblical references to 'followers' of Jesus, it is Peter Morden's conviction that we need the entire Bible if we are going to be whole-life disciples. He reflects on Scripture and asks: 'How do we live as committed disciples of Jesus today?' He explores the foundations, resources and practice of discipleship in a range of Old and New Testament texts.

The result is a well-rounded and satisfying picture of Christian discipleship, one that is wonderfully attractive as well as deeply challenging.

With a fully integrated study guide, suitable for both individuals and groups, The Message of Discipleship will help you to see how the Bible's unified teaching on this vital theme can impact your life today.

The Bible Speaks Today series covers every book of the Old and New Testaments, as well as Bible themes that run through the whole of Scripture.

Jubilee Manifesto arises out of over two decades of serious reflection, biblical debate and practical concern about how Christians can effect social change in our world today. For those wanting to examine the biblical basis of social reform there is no better place to begin than with Jubilee Manifesto.

Based on the work of the highly influential Cambridge based Jubilee Centre, this book presents a biblically-based alternative to capitalism, socialism and Marxism and seeks to effect change in public policy accordingly. From the outset Jubilee Manifesto identifies relationships as the most precious resource of any society. Ultimately it is the quality of those relationships, in families and communities, in organizations and between institutions, that holds society together.

Through careful study of the biblical material the contributors explore how a relational society might appear with regard to nationhood, government, family, welfare, finance, economics, criminal justice and international relations.

Followed up with practical examples from their own work at the Jubilee Centre, the contributors offer real insights into the challenges and potential for Christian social reform. For any who want to change the society we live in this is a crucial handbook.

What is shame and where does it come from? How can we break free and help others held in its vice-like grip? And what is the gospel when shame is the problem?

Shame, humiliation and stigma are all around us. Online shaming reminds us of the power of shame, the crisis of self-worth, the weight of judgement and the need for freedom. At the same time, people are becoming less responsive to gospel messages about guilt, morality and sin. If we want to reach those around us and bring healing to their hurts, we need to speak their language: the language of shame.

This book helps Christians to introduce 'shame thinking' into their own lives and the lives of those they disciple and evangelize. Above all, it shows how God's freedom can release anyone suffering from the debilitating grip of shame.

Introduction: Reputation ruined - what shame looks like
1 Identity, perception, judgement, and the horizontal nature of shame - case study from Genesis
2 Shame examined - what exactly is shame and how does it relate to guilt? Helpful emotion but also profoundly destructive
3 Who do you think you are? Shame in relation to identity: fig leaves and Instagram
4 Shame and the cross - flipping the script; putting shame to shame. How Jesus dealt with shame
5 'Disposing' of the shameful body - hiding, distancing, laughter, etc. Cultural perceptions
6 A new life. The role of the church - a brand new social community for the shamed
7 Putting our house in order before we help others: practical application
8 Reaching out to the shamed: practical application

Join Michael Baughen in this undated 30-day devotional on 2 Timothy as he focuses on Paul's final words.

Paul is in prison, near to death, dictating this letter to Luke for his young friend Timothy. As he sits chained to a Roman soldier, Paul's passion for the gospel shines out. He uses his farewell message to urge Timothy to maintain his focus on the basics of the faith.

This intensely personal letter allows us to hear Paul's last words and ask ourselves about the legacy that we will one day leave to others. We learn day by day how we can benefit from the lessons to Timothy.

Torn by conflict, the congregation to whom John addressed his letters stood in need of his strong exhortations to love and unity within the bounds of truth. His word to them is well suited to the church today, confronted by controversies within and without that challenge its ability and will to stand for the truth in a pluralistic society.

In this careful study of John's letters, readers will find an introduction that discusses the letters' occasion and purpose, authorship and date, order and theological themes. A passage-by-passage commentary follows that seeks to explain what each letter means for us today as well as what it meant for its original hearers.

Students, pastors, Bible teachers and everyone who wants to understand John's message for the church will benefit from this excellent resource.

Revival yearnings are widespread in the church today, but Raymond Ortlund Jr. believes that we still need to give more attention to the Bible itself in the matter of authentic revival.

One reason for this is that we need the discernment which only the Bible can give, to enable us to tell the difference between what's valuable and what's cheap. Otherwise we may squander our heavenly Father's good gifts. Another reason is that our expectations of God may be too small, our desires too shallow. The biblical vision of our God is breathtaking. We need to enlarge and deepen our grasp of what God can do - and what we must do.

Dr Ortlund's ultimate aim is to persuade us that revival is a valid biblical expectation, and so to motivate us to pray that God will rend the heavens and come down in our generation. Above all, he wants us to be encouraged in God: we need never give up or give in, because he remains committed to the glory of his own holy name in this world.

Join Dr. Raymond Ortlund Jr. in understanding the biblical foundations of revival. Learn to discern God's gifts and expand your expectations of His power.

If God wants a relationship with us then why is he so distant? If God loves his creation then why is there so much pain? If God is good then why does he plan to consign people to hell?

We give ourselves to God and then struggle profoundly with the relationship. But instead of embracing our doubts and confusion we often deny them to ourselves and others. Sometimes we make things worse either by feeling guilty about our struggles or by dismissing them as unimportant or insignificant. We may choose to live on the surface of faith, or become resentful that God does not simply step in to clear up the confusion.

In 'Wrestling with God' James Emery White explores the difficulties all Christians face - of heart, soul, mind and strength, and the struggles to love our neighbours as ourselves. He grapples honestly with our tough questions and disappointments, and helps us take our angers and fears back to the God who loves us. Through Christian living without pretending we can grow in our trust of the character of God and in our place in his great and wonderful embrace.

There are many biographies of John Calvin, the theologian - some vilifying him and others extolling his virtues - but few that reveal John Calvin, the man.

Professor and renowned Reformation historian Herman Selderhuis has written this book to bring Calvin near to the reader, showing him as a man who had an impressive impact on the development of the Western world, but who was first of all a believer struggling with God and with the way God governed both the world and his own life.

Selderhuis draws on Calvin's own publications and commentary on the biblical figures with whom he strongly identified to describe his theology in the context of his personal development. Throughout we see a person who found himself alone at many of the decisive moments of his life - a fact that echoed through Calvin's subsequent sermons and commentaries.

Selderhuis's unique and compelling look at John Calvin, with all of his merits and foibles, ultimately discloses a man who could not find himself at home in the world in which he lived.

If ever there was an environment hostile to the gospel, it was the strife-torn, ethnically diverse backwater of the Roman Empire known as Palestine following the ascension of Jesus. But the gospel thrived-beginning from Jerusalem and spreading throughout Judea, Samaria and the rest of the known world.

In Acts, the sequel to his Gospel, Luke tells how the Holy Spirit transformed a ragtag band of believers into a unified, world-engaging church. And as William Larkin explores this narrative of the early church, he offers inspiration and insight for readers who wonder how the gospel may be advanced in the increasingly divided and skeptical culture of the late twentieth century.

In this clear, incisive commentary, readers will find an introduction with background material concerning authorship, date and purpose, as well as a summary of important theological themes. A passage-by-passage exposition follows that focuses on understanding what significance Acts had for its original readers in order to see its relevance for the church today. Students, pastors, Bible teachers and everyone who wants to understand the message of Acts for the church will benefit from this excellent resource.

Your relationship with God is just a psychological crutch. Belief in God is dangerous. I used to believe, but I've given it all up.

Is God real? Is it possible to know anything, let alone know him? Why do bad things happen to people who worship this God? What about the spiritual experiences of other faiths?

All of these accusations, objections and questions have come directly from real-life situations.

Amy Orr-Ewing writes, 'I hope that the thoughts offered here will help you see what the Christian faith has to say amid all the pain, confusion and complexity of life.'

Are you afraid to share your faith?

Do you think you'll say the wrong thing?

Then this is the resource for you.

Rebecca Manley Pippert has spent over 25 years introducing people to Jesus.

In this guide she draws from her experience to show you how you can overcome your fears and speak confidently to others about the love of Christ. She'll help you find a witnessing style that is comfortable and effective.

How can we live more responsibly? In this A-Z, Ruth Valerio highlights the main threats to people and our planet, God's beloved creation. She shows us how, by making small but significant changes to our lifestyle, we can learn the secret of a life that is both fair and simple.

Scenario: you wake up and jump in the shower. The water is hot and the house warm. You eat breakfast: coffee made with water boiled in the kettle, and cereal with milk kept cool in the fridge. You throw out the foil trays from last night's takeaway before jumping in the car and setting off for work.

You've done nothing unusual, but already your lifestyle choices - yes, choices - have had an impact on people and the environment across the world.

With warmth and honesty, the author shares her personal journey as well as disturbing findings and deep concerns. It is her passion that we would all play our part in caring for the amazing earth that our God has so wisely and generously created.

The world seems broken. So many situations flow from broken leadership and broken values in recent years. Again and again, people across all countries, political persuasions and sectors of society are letting us down.

Yet, before we become all too finger-happy in apportioning the blame, let's also be honest. It's not just the leaders 'out there' that are the problem and to whom we can point. All too often we need to focus on ourselves - we suffer from similar failings in not measuring up to the values we aspire to, and we don't seem to have any clue as to where we should turn to fix the problem.

In this timely and inspiring book, Jago Wynne shows us the simple yet surprising path to renewal: integrity. Drawing on the example of William Wilberforce and the Clapham Sect, infused with biblical wisdom, and honest about reality, this is a book of hope for such a time as this.

Discover the legacy of Michael J. Ovey, Principal of Oak Hill College, through a collection of his profound writings and lectures that shaped evangelical thought

Michael J. Ovey (1958-2017) served as the greatly loved and respected Principal of Oak Hill College, London, from 2007 until his unexpected and untimely death. He joined the faculty of Oak Hill in 1998 and completed a PhD in the field of trinitarian theology. He wrote few books: it was said that his students were his writing. This volume collects articles and lectures that demonstrate the depth and breadth of his intellect and originality.

For Mike Ovey, in the same way that the earth is a 'Goldilocks planet', with conditions 'just right' to sustain life, so for theology we need a 'Goldilocks zone' which is 'just right', encompassing both 'local' and 'global' theologies. This is unpacked in the first item of this collection, which consists of fifteen 'Off the Record' articles for the online journal Themelios, seven Cambridge Papers, two essays on the gospel and the atonement, and three lectures given at the Global Anglican Futures Conference (GAFCON). There are introductory pieces by Mark Thompson and Chris Green and an afterword by Dan Strange. Peter Jensen's sermon at the thanksgiving service for Mike's life and ministry is also included.

This collection shows why Mike Ovey's contribution to evangelical Christianity was so widely appreciated in the UK and around the world.

Do you say 'yes' to requests when really you mean to say 'no'- Do you feel permanently trapped by your 24/7 lifestyle?

While offering practical help to busy Christians, Tim Chester also opts for root-and-branch treatment: you need to deal radically with the things that are driving you.

If you're busy because of the following:

'I need to prove myself'
'Otherwise things get out of control'
'I like the pressure/money'

think again!

At the root of our 'slavery' are serious misunderstandings, often reinforced by our culture. If we want to be free, then we need to counteract them with God's word. It's important to manage our time, but it's more important to manage our hearts.

God has promised his rest to all who are weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28). It's up to us to accept it.

COVID-19 has transformed our everyday lives. It’s as if another world has arrived in the blink of an eye. Yet life is not on pause. We still need to live. The pandemic, like any other time, is a moment both of opportunity as well as challenge.

Healthy Faith in the Coronavirus Crisis is a briefing on how to thrive in a world of restrictions. Twenty leading Christian thinkers have come together to help you begin to navigate this strange reality.

Each contributor writes on their area of expertise, and topics covered include prayer, loneliness, work, singleness, marriage, parenting, grief, death, imagination, conversations, humour, and much more. They offer practical advice as well as helpful perspective from Scripture.

This is an essential resource for anyone looking to cultivate a healthy faith which infuses all areas of life during this disorienting time.

John Stott would never have called it 'mentoring', but, throughout his life, he instinctively drew alongside younger men and women from across the world, gently pastoring them within the context of a warm, genuine and healthy "Paul-Timothy" friendship. Why aren't these intergenerational friendships more common in the Church today?

In Transforming Friendship, John Wyatt acknowledges that recent serious scandals and suspicion prevalent in our culture have made people more cautious about these kinds of relationships. The church, therefore, needs to lead the way in seeing friendship transformed into something safe, life-giving and Christlike.

Wyatt shares the transformative experience of being Stott's close friend. Using examples from the Bible, Christian history and the church today, he makes the case for a model of "Gospel-crafted" friendship, with a particular emphasis on the need for more Paul-Timothy type relationships like the one he enjoyed with Stott.

Builder, fool, ambassador, athlete, parent, pilot, scum, shepherd: the apostle Paul uses rich imagery when he discusses what it means to be a Christian leader.

Derek Tidball believes these images have important lessons and fresh insights for pastors and others in church leadership today. At a time when such people struggle under increasing pressure to 'produce results' and 'perform up to standard', what is needed is a different way of looking at leadership. Builders and Fools provides that.

By explaining and drawing out the implications of Paul's imagery, it helps us focus on what really matters, on what God wants leaders to do and how he wants them to be.

'Under that hoodie, behind that eye make-up, there frequently lurks a human being of immense charm, affection and wit.'

Ann Benton admits that, when her children were teenagers, she enjoyed 'the very best of parenting years'. Yet, from her experience and that of others, she is all too well aware of the frustrations, pitfalls and difficulties that parenting teens can bring.

The Bible book of Proverbs points to wisdom as the key to health, happiness and prosperity. The author points out that the job of parents is not first and foremost to make their teens successful, but to make them wise.

With honesty and wit, Ann shows how Proverbs can speak directly into real life, however messy, today.

Science fact sometimes looks more like science fiction. GM technology is already embedded in drug manufacture and in agriculture. Soon we may be able to alter the genetic make-up of our unborn children: the technology is now available for human gene therapy and even cloning. Furthermore, spare body-parts may one day be grown from human embryonic cells.

With these unprecedented choices comes a minefield of complex ethical questions.

- What are appropriate uses for genetic modification? What is the status of the human embryo?

- How can we maintain proper regard for the creation?

- Are we 'playing God' or simply using our God-given talents?

In this bewildering maze there is no consensus about right and wrong. Ethical debates are dominated by pragmatism and concern for individual rights.

Biological scientist John Bryant and doctor/pastor John Searle believe it is essential that we apply the teachings of Jesus to the dilemmas that arise from modern biological science. Approaching the Bible and the field of biotechnology with equal rigour they explore how Christians can make balanced ethical decisions in the current cultural and social climate.

For more than twenty-five years this study guide has introduced readers to the origins and teachings of the major non-Christian faiths.

In this fourth edition the contents of the book been entirely revised with many of the chapters completely rewritten. The bibliographies for each religion have been updated to include the best f primary and secondary sources.

Written by Christian authors whose firm grasp of recent scholarship is informed by extended personal contacts with the religions they discuss, the essays here are meant to offer a concise, factual account. Particular attention is paid to the historical developments that have resulted from contacts between various religious traditions.

Though the authors of the individual chapters have not attempted a detailed "Christian response" to what they would consider the false teaching and aberrant practices of these various religions, the editor does address, in the brief compass of the final chapter, the ever-controversial issue of the Christian approach to comparative religion.

Some Christians emphasize doctrine, others experience. Martyn Lloyd-Jones emphasized both.

Marrying a Reformed understanding of biblical theology to a passionate desire for a deeper experience of God, he urged all Christians to seek baptism with the Holy Spirit. This he viewed as a direct sealing of the assurance of God's love to a believer's consciousness which results in a heightened awareness of God, brings joy to worship, and adds a new dimension to the church's witness.

This book examines the sources of Dr Lloyd-Jones's teaching in the writings of the Puritans and later theologians such as Jonathan Edwards, and compares it with others views of the work of the Holy Spirit which are currently held. It is an important contribution to the ongoing debate.

Explore the teachings of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who harmonized doctrine and experience, urging Christians to seek a deeper relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.

Millions of Christians believe that prayer is the breath of the soul, on which depends the quality of their spiritual life. The reality, however, is that genuine prayer is something we need to learn repeatedly. We share the helplessness of the disciples who asked Jesus, 'Lord, teach us to pray' (Luke 11:1).

This volume focuses on the praying of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. The Seven Prayers of Jesus investigates his prayers in their literary and socio-historical context, and points to their theological significance and relevance for today.

Laszlo Gallusz hopes that this work will not only provide a fresh biblical perspective on the prayers of Jesus but also become a source of inspiration for our own prayer lives.

'Dr Gallusz's... engagement with Scripture shows his mastery of the biblical topic. Yet he also writes with the heart of a pastor, applying his insights to the life of the individual Christian and also that of the church. This book will enrich the intellect and nurture the spirit of all those who read it. I recommend it wholeheartedly.'
Laurence A. Turner, Principal Lecturer Emeritus in Old Testament, Newbold College, Bracknell, UK

Bold claims. Answers which many are searching for today.

This is Jesus in his own words, using metaphors and pictures which are concrete, simple and profound.

Meaning: what is the meaning of life? I am the bread of life.
Enlightenment: where can I find light? I am the light of the world.
Freedom: how can I be truly free? I am the door,
Evil: isn't religion evil? I am the good shepherd.
Destiny: is this life all there is? I am the resurrection.
Reality: what is ultimate reality? I am the way.
Value: how can I make my life count? I am the vine.
Time: how can we escape being finite? 'I am.'

Bold claims - and they are also true.

The 'I am' sayings of Jesus are highly relevant. Jesus is uniquely qualified to meet our deepest needs and answer our biggest questions. Find out for yourself.

The Bible begins and ends with God dwelling with his people, from Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, to the great multitude in the New Jerusalem in the book of Revelation. At each step, God gathered his people together, to speak to them, hear from them, and change them to be more like him. God assembling his people, whom he loves, is what the Bible calls 'church'.

The church should aspire to be a group of vibrant, loving, risk-everything people who are passionately committed to living out the values of God's Word and looking forward to the new creation. Churches and their pastors and leaders need to hear what the Bible says about who they are and what they are to do.

Chris Green takes 'the message of the church' to mean, first, that the church has a message, which is that God has saved his people through Christ; second, that the church is the created and saved result of that message; and third, that the church is a message, which is that he has saved broken people like us, and by belonging to his people we are trying to respond to him in the ways he requires. His stimulating and insightful exposition begins with a survey of the church 'from eternity, to Eden, to exodus, to exile, to eternity', and then focuses on various dimensions of the church's life and ministry, including its worship, unity, maturity, servants, gifts, holiness, boundaries and future.

Rhonda Watson models how to remember God during times of physical suffering. Packed full of poetry, songs and Bible quotes, this beautiful devotional guide helps readers face failing physical powers with honesty, and focus on the character of God, the source of our hope.

'My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you.'

Diagnosed in 2008 with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Rhonda Watson is rapidly losing her speech, mobility and other physical functions. In desperation she turned to the only true source of hope and comfort - God.

This honest and powerful book helps fellow-sufferers recall in times of trouble the character of God - who walks with us along the path of suffering and holds us in our pain. Choosing not to focus on her own debilitating condition, Rhonda provides devotions and reflections which have helped her, and will encourage the reader to hold on to trust in Jesus.

With space for journaling, this book is ideal for anyone coping with disability and failing physical powers.

Does believing in the Trinity make any difference in real life?

These seven studies will help you grow in your understanding of the inexhaustible riches of the Trinity. Find out why the Trinity is central to our beliefs and fundamental to the working out of our faith.

Learn to worship him more fully, reflect his image more clearly, and experience his transforming power in your life.

Learn to better know the Father, follow the Son, and walk in the Spirit. Because the Trinity is at the heart of Christian faith and life.

This title is brought to you by Keswick Ministries. Find out more at https://www.keswickministries.org

"A really first-rate piece of work on a most important topic. The style is warm, persuasive and engaging. The content is clear, incisive and wise. I recommend publication strongly and urgently - we really need this book! You have served the church and wider society very, very significantly by writing it." Julian Hardyman, Senior Pastor of Eden Chapel, Cambridge

The architects of the sexual revolution won over the popular imagination because they knew the power of story. They drew together radical new ideologies, often complex and hard to grasp, and melded them into the simpler structure of narrative. Crucially, they cast narratives that appealed to the moral instincts of ordinary, decent people.

This moral vision overwhelmed the church and silenced its faltering apologists.

The author argues that if Christians still believe they have have good news in the sphere of sexual ethics, then two big tasks lie ahead. Our first priority is to work out what has gone so badly wrong, both in our understanding and application of what the Bible teaches and the way we have presented our case to the non-churched. And then we must offer a better story, one that fires the imagination with such force that people will say, 'I want that to be true.'

This book offers a confident, biblically rooted moral vision which needs to be shared with prayer and courage.

Upwardly mobile Christians facing radically diverse ethnic, religious, economic and social conditions. The church divided over issues of leadership and authority, sexual morality, gender and worship, marriage and divorce. Sound familiar?

First-century Corinth and its challenges were not so different from our own. Yet in the midst of this detailed, practical letter is found one of the greatest paeans to love ever written. And, of course, love is just what is needed to address these complex human issues whether in the first century or the twenty-first.

In this deft analysis of 1 Corinthians, readers will find an introduction that discusses the social, cultural and historical background of the city and its people. Rounding out the introduction are explorations of the letter's occasion and date, authorship and purpose, and major theological themes. Passage-by-passage commentary follows that seeks to explain what the letter means for us today as well as what it meant for its original hearers.

Students, pastors, Bible teachers and everyone who wants to understand Paul's message for the church will benefit from this excellent resource.

For worship leaders looking to deepen their calling, or anyone looking for a new way to praise God. Take worship beyond the music with this book that lays the groundwork for a new way to see worship: not as a lyric, but as a lifestyle. Whole Life Worship is an empowering read, and filled with a hearth to transform whole lives by shifting our limiting mindset of worship being restricted to one day.

A continuation of the LICC series begun by Neil Hudson's Imagine Church.

Whole Life Worship will demonstrate that the contemporary Western Church has reached a point where our "gathered" worship is separated from our "scattered" lives outside of church. This is detrimental to the congregation's spiritual development and their effectiveness on their "frontlines". Church worship should be inspired and informed by our everyday experiences. It should empower and send the congregation out to continue worshipping. The book will provide patterns and resources to better connect gathered worship with the lives of the congregation beyond church meetings.

The book will unpack a biblical grounding for both gathered and scattered worship. It will then identify patterns within our gathered services which help us re-make these connections. It will provide practical resources such as songs, prayers and activities which can help churches connect Sunday to the rest of the week. It will draw examples and stories from other church streams and traditions, to demonstrate how different kinds of Christian spirituality engage worshipfully with everyday life. In the second half of the book is a practical resource looking specifically at different aspects of a gathered service, and how each one can have an "outward" dimension.

When Edith was stillborn without warning, Jonny and Joanna were stunned and confused. Why wasn't anyone talking about baby loss? Where could they turn for help? Who would answer their burning questions?

One in in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage; one in 200 in stillbirth. And yet, while the church offers resources to cope with suffering generally, there is often an echoing silence when it comes to the trauma of baby loss. 'When we lost our daughter Edith,' say Jonny and Joanna, 'it was painful indeed to find the lack of biblically rooted and pastorally sensitive resources.'

Nothing really hit the mark, so, through tears, they wrote this book. It comes to you, or someone close to you, with a massive hug. It is the authors' prayer and passion that you will be amazed by our great God as you connect with deep truths from the Bible, bringing healing to your heart, mind and soul.

'Will help us to grieve better when a baby in one of our churches dies.'
Jonathan Gibson

'Every grieving parent will empathize with Jonny and Joanna’s Jesus-saturated lament.'
Marcus Honeysett

'More like a compassionate friend than a book.'
Tim Lane

Real gospel meets real life.

As a firefighter, Keith Mitchell is trained to snatch people from flames. As a Christian, he sees sin as a fire to be fought in our lives. This results in real living, life with freedom and a purpose, with a happy eternity thrown in.

Don't read this book if you want religion, answers to life's great mysteries or the secret of winning the lottery.

Do read it if you are willing to put your prejudices behind you and be open-minded and willing to change as a result of meeting someone far more important than all of the above put together - Jesus.

Meeting Jesus results in real living, life with freedom and purpose. And you'll find a happy eternity thrown in as well.

Reconnect Your Church provides a practical, road-tested vision and process to equip church leaders to reinvigorate their church

How can churches stay healthy and dynamic over the long-term? What’s needed to avoid or reverse church stagnation and decline?

While some churches are vibrant and growing, many more are struggling, especially after Covid. The congregation might be declining and ageing, there’s little success in reaching out to with the gospel, and more time is spent on inward facing problems than loving God and loving others. But the potential that could be released is huge.

David Brown draws on his experience revitalising a church in central Paris to offer a vision and a process for church revitalisation, with a focus on UK and European contexts. Whether you are church planting, in a well-established and thriving church, or looking to turn around a church in decline, Brown provides biblically grounded wisdom along with change management principles for long-term health.

When we reapply God’s priorities to the church, we unleash new life and energy in following Christ in community.

If only this book weren't needed. If only men and women didn't beat their partners. If only spouses didn't cruelly manipulate and control. If only people didn't bully elderly relatives...

Most incidents go under the radar, and it is estimated that only around a third come to the attention of the police.

This book goes right to the heart of the matter: the human heart. We see how to walk with sufferers and apply the Bible to everyday-life situations. We learn how to do 'one anothering' in our churches and communities.

While offering practical help, the author focuses strongly on lasting solutions that are achieved only through God's power.

'For the LORD gives wisdom...he stores up sound wisdom for the upright... The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom' (Proverbs 2:6, 7; 9:10).

The Old Testament books of Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes are often referred to as the wisdom books of the Bible. The theme of wisdom, however, is not limited to these books: it actually pervades much of the Bible. Dan Estes explores wisdom in key passages in Scripture.

In Part 1, he investigates the concept of wisdom in the book of Proverbs: what wisdom is and how it calls out to humans to follow its path. In Part 2, he considers how wisdom is presented in various contexts in the Old Testament, in passages from the law (Deuteronomy 30), history (1 Kings 3-4), prophecy (Jeremiah 8-9) and Psalm 112. Part 3 focuses on Proverbs to learn how wisdom affects our conduct in our work, our speech, our decisions and our righteous living. There is complexity in the biblical message of wisdom. Part 4 shows how the prominent theme of retribution in Proverbs is balanced and qualified in the books of Job and Ecclesiastes. In Part 5, Estes examines the culmination of wisdom in the New Testament, as we see that Jesus is the master teacher of wisdom and the source of all wisdom, and that we are challenged to live by God’s wisdom rather than falling into folly.

Throughout the Bible, we are constantly challenged to learn God's wisdom, to live God's wisdom, and to love God's wisdom.

In Postcards from the Edge Ian Coffey will help you learn from eight Bible characters about how God can meet you in the hardest moments of your life.

God often seems most distant when we are going through our hardest times. And yet many people have found that it is exactly at the moments of their greatest struggle that they have met God most closely.

Through vivid retellings of the stories of eight biblical characters who met God at points of extremity in their lives, Ian Coffey offers us inspirational ways of making the struggles we face an opportunity for growth. By sharing both modern examples of people who have faced the same sorts of struggles, and events in his own life, he gives us practical help and hope in our hardest moments.

Esther and courage
Jeremiah and inadequacy
John and doubt
Paul and fear
Peter and imprisonment
Ruth and loss
Elijah and despair
Mark and failure

Full of rich reflection and thought-provoking questions, it will help us to discover the God who walks with his people through their darkest moments.

The root of the word 'mission' means 'sending'.

All Christian mission has its fountainhead in the God revealed in Scripture, who sent his Son for us, sends his Spirit to us, and summons all people to himself. The privilege and responsibility of his church, sent into all the world, is to testify by his words and deeds to Jesus Christ, God's unique son, crucified, risen and ascended.

The East-West partnership in missiological exploration expounds a variety of Old and New Testament texts, and examines a wide range of issues. The authors' desire is that Jesus Christ might be glorified more and more in the church and in the world; their eager expectation is that one day the whole creation will find its consummation in him, and God will be all and in all.

Wisdom literature is one of many kinds of writing we find in the Bible and all play different roles in shaping our minds, our hearts, our imaginations, and our actions. Know-how, as Proverbs teaches us so clearly, is for all of life: for daily decisions and long-term plans, for relationships in family and community, as well as in work and in trade.

In this six-session guide, Antony Billington's astute questions, pertinent applications and mini-features will help you discover Proverbs' many riches for your own challenges and contexts – Monday through Sunday. They'll encourage growth in wisdom that is rooted in relationship with God, shaped by his ordering of the world, and that ends its ultimate expression in Christ.

Session 1: A Lord to Honour (Proverbs 1:1-7)
Session 2: A Path to Take (Proverbs 2:1-22)
Session 3: A Choice to Make (Proverbs 9:1-18)
Session 4: A Life to Pursue (Proverbs 15: 16-33)
Session 5: A Way to Speak (Proverbs 10,11,25 and 26)
Session 6: A Model to Follow (Proverbs 31: 10-31)

The God of the Bible is the living, active and self-revealing God. He takes the initiative in making himself known. He is a speaking God, and he calls for a listening people. Those who listen in faith, he draws in love into a relationship that engages every fibre of their humanity and enters every event in their lives.

This is a book by a theologian and preacher who believes that the first purpose of a biblical theology is to lead us to the feet of the living God. The book ends with the theme of worship: an attitude and activity that takes us out into the world to serve this living God and to make him known.

'Insightful, pastoral, warm and encouraging. Charles has a gift for mining the gold and making it glitter.'
Martin Salter, Associate Pastor, Grace Community Church, Bedford

Hebrews was written to address some of the fundamental misunderstandings that the Jewish people had about Jesus.

This (unknown) author is correcting their ignorance of who Jesus was, and explaining how he completes and fulfils Israel's history, law, ceremonial rituals and priesthood.

And this is highly relevant today. We too can have a wrong understanding of Jesus and his work. We may do things in his name but have become detached from him. We are invited to 'fix our eyes on Jesus'. He is the ultimate and final expression of truth. He is absolutely central in our Christian lives.