Invite Resources – A New Christian Publishing House

On November 9, 2020, Invite Press, the official imprint of Invite Resources, published its first book, Everything Is Gonna Be All Right by Robert Hasley, a collection of the author’s life experiences and short devotional messages of comfort and encouragement. Invite Resources is a ministry of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas, where publisher Len Wilson is the Director of Innovation & Strategy. When introducing Invite Resources on his blog, Wilson had this to say:

The mission of Invite is to share the promise of the New Creation. Think of us as a Publisher Plus: not just a traditional publishing house, but a platform for life-changing ideas. We want to be about people who are doing great things, which means we are working with idea makers to create platforms and maximize influence. 

The Our Values page of the Invite Resources website goes into more detail about its mission and lists its values: innovation, each person’s unique gifts, individual contexts, community, and changing lives.

I recently received two books published by Invite Resources to review. Solid Souls by Arthur Jones calls on readers to reevaluate their conception of the soul and see that the idea of heaven and hell as existing in a distant future is dangerous. Jones states that “You are a soul. You do not have a soul, but you are a soul.” When we accept this, we will strive to have solid souls filled with meaning and purpose. Jones’ book provides specific ways to live your life that will make your soul less shriveled and more solid. He calls upon us to look closely at every aspect of our lives, the small decisions as well as the big ones.  

Present Comfort: Meditations on Modern Loss and Grief is written by Julie Yarbrough, author of the Beyond the Broken Heart grief resources for individuals and group use, as well as other books on grief. A persistent theme throughout the book is that God is with us in our grief, whether it’s from a personal loss or societal tragedies such as acts of senseless violence, natural disasters, or the global pandemic. Yarbrough uses scripture, personal experience, and the awareness of God’s presence to comfort as she discusses various aspects of grief, such as the shame felt by those related to perpetrators of violence (outcast grief), guilt after a loved one’s death (survivor torment), fatigue, and unresolved emotions.

Invite Resources’ goal, beginning summer 2021, is to release a new book approximately once a month. You can check out the titles they’ve published as well as books soon to be published on their website.  

Just Begin: A Sourcebook of Spiritual Practices: A Book Review

By Karen Smith

It’s the nature of most believers to seek a means of communing with their Creator. However, there are so many choices, where does one begin?

Just Begin: A Sourcebook of Spiritual Practices, Dann E. Wigner’s collection of 40 different spiritual practices from both Eastern and Western traditions, is a good place to start. In this collection from Church Publishing Incorporated, Wigner explains each of the practices, gives a brief background of how they came to be, and invites us to “just begin” to explore them with step by step practical instructions.

Now that the unexpected “downtime” we were gifted with during the pandemic to reflect has become a thing of the past as we re-enter the busyness of our world, it’s difficult, again, to find the time to cultivate spiritual practices. However, the few minutes a day you set aside for quiet time can be invaluable in building a closer relationship with God.

Wigner offers many different ways to enhance that relationship. If, trying some, you find they’re not really for you, try another and another until you find a few that resonate with you. The beauty of spiritual practices is that there’s something for everyone.

The author includes the more familiar practices such as Prayer, Meditation, and Journaling, going on to explore Walking the Labyrinth, Fasting, and Using Prayer Beads.

Some of the practices that were new to me were Stargazing, Mindful Eating, Body Scan, and Drumbeat. I found the section on “Embodying” especially interesting, which included Body Flow: Pilates with Mindfulness and Body Flow: Yoga with Centering Prayer.

I can see this handbook being useful in many ways in church life. It would be helpful in retreat planning (both in-person and virtual) and for themes for both Men’s and Women’s groups. It also would be an asset to youth leaders in seeking different ideas to help engage youth in a deeper prayer life.

The book also includes Frequently Asked Questions and Discussion Questions with each chapter, so it could be used as an ongoing program of learning the different spiritual practices.

On a personal level, I will be purchasing my own copy of Just Begin so I can try all of these practices in the future to see which ones enable a closer bond between me and my Creator.

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

Contemplative Knitting: A Book Review

By Gloria Burgess

Let’s be honest — I love to knit; I also love to quilt, papercraft, read books, and cook. I have a husband, children, and grandchildren, so that is 13 handmade gifts that I should make every year. All this fills my days and sometimes it overfills them. Sometimes I get so busy doing “things” that I don’t have time for a spiritual practice.

Naturalist John Muir once wrote, “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” I don’t have a mountain nearby, but I do have a quiet spot and that is all you need for contemplative knitting and the start of your own spiritual practice.

During the pandemic, a friend of mine started an evening Zoom knitting group. There was no agenda — just bring whatever you’re working on and chat. I always felt restored afterwards.

After reading Contemplative Knitting, published by Church Publishing, Inc. and written by Julie Cicora, I realized that I could build a spiritual practice using something that I already enjoy. I liked how Cicora gives examples of how to set up a time for your spiritual practice and how to think about how it will fit in your day. Is it the first thing you do in a day? Is it the last thing you do in a day? Is it somewhere in between? Where can you find five minutes for your spiritual practice? Cicora asks these pertinent questions to help you focus and decide on a practice you can stick with. She then walks you through all the details of setting it up. What is your motivation, what will you use, and why? She also answers all those questions related to why you can’t, why you won’t, and why should you? Your excuses don’t stand a chance against her logical reasoning.

The last part of Contemplative Knitting walks you through incorporating knitting into other parts of your life. Are you interested in knitting for others? Is a knitting group in your church doing charity knitting? Have you googled charity knitting? Maybe that is not what you’re thinking of doing, but how about just getting other knitters to gather and knit? Whatever you want to accomplish with your knitting, Contemplative Knitting covers all the questions you may have. It also gives you the encouragement you may need to make knitting as a spiritual practice a reality in your everyday life.

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

Choosing Confirmation, Sunday School, and VBS Curriculum

The Online Resource Center (ORC) on PRC’s website is a treasure trove of resources for those in ministry. The ORC has 23 areas, including several for those involved in faith formation, such as Adult Ministry, Children’s Ministry, Sunday School Curriculum and Teacher Helps, and Youth Ministry.

Along with registration links to webinars and links to helpful websites, the ORC has booklets/documents filled with information on specific topics. Three curriculum related resources were recently revised. (Keeping the ORC up to date is a never-ending endeavor.)

The Confirmation Curriculum document includes a list of denominations with the confirmation curricula available for each. There is also a list of nondenominational curricula. Links will take you to information about the curricula including ordering information.

The Sunday School Curriculum Overview booklet has information about how curriculum is produced and the different types, as well as tips on selecting curriculum. There is a listing of curricula available for denominations and from nondenominational publishers. The booklet also has suggested resources for youth Sunday school. There are links for each curriculum which take you to the publishers’ websites where you can find more information, download samples, and get current pricing.

Our Vacation Bible School Tips and Undated Curriculum booklet has advice about VBS preparation and follow-up and suggestions for choosing a curriculum. There is a list of publishers who put out a different VBS program each year and links to third-party sites which sell VBS curricula. There is information and links to websites with undated VBS programs which can be purchased, as well as links to numerous ones which can be downloaded at no cost.

Choosing a curriculum for confirmation, Sunday school, or VBS can seem overwhelming, but PRC is here to help. Contact us at info@prcli.org if you have any questions about curriculum.  

On Earth as It Is in Heaven: A Book Review

By guest blogger Cathy Applewhite

On Earth as It Is in Heaven by Eric Atcheson, published by Church Publishing, equips clergy and laypeople with a faith-based toolkit for economic justice and offers a resource to examine the economic disparities in our communities.

The title is a familiar phrase to those who recite the Lord’s Prayer as preached by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. What does it mean to become more heavenly on earth? Atcheson addresses this vision by examining what prohibits earth from flourishing in problems such as systemic poverty, racism, and climate change.

As a concerned Christian, I found each chapter shedding light on questions of inequality from a theological and spiritual perspective. I appreciated the author’s understanding as a pastor and the sharing of his own personal journey. The book navigates us through biblical references, religious history, and sociological and political backgrounds for the purpose of helping us discern the need for change. The reader will learn about the “divine economy” in the time of the Hebrew prophets, New Testament, Western Christianity, and beginnings of American Christianity. The last chapters point to the distribution of wealth through the generations and how it affects students, elderly, women, and people of color.

The final section of the book provides discussion questions on each chapter that would be beneficial for an adult church group to initiate dialogue on this pressing issue of social justice. The toolkit becomes practical as individuals express their own experiences, beliefs, and values. In turn, the next step is directing this energy into action as a faith community to alleviate human inequity.

I write this book review in the midst of a pandemic. The country is in an economic crisis causing millions to slip into poverty. The working-class struggle with their rent, putting food on the table for their families, and maintaining healthcare. On Earth as It Is in Heaven is relevant today as it gives a framework to face this crisis of great suffering. With prayer and God’s guidance, faith communities are called to reach out and build a better world in accordance with the Gospel.

A PDF review copy of this book was provided by the publisher, Church Publishing, Inc.

Finding Home: A Book Review

By guest blogger Rev. Mary Larson

Julie K. Aageson, author of Finding Home, drew me in right from the introduction: “When my children were growing up, we often talked with them about how important it is to be ‘at home’ in many different places.” Isn’t that what most of us crave — finding home or finding a home?

I believe this book is suited for study, either in a group or individually. Some will find reading the entire book and reflecting on the questions at the end of each chapter comforting and, at times, challenging. For others, especially if you are doing this as a group, then picking and choosing which of the 26 chapters work for you or your group might be a better choice. The chapters range from; “A Story of Adoption”, “Refugees Looking for Home” to “Politics? Bring it On…!” There is a lot to choose from.

The chapter on politics offers a way to discuss the different ways we can believe, in all aspects of our lives, without getting angry. The reflection questions at the end of this chapter are exceptionally provocative. “What is your experience of the interrelatedness of faith, politics, and religious commitments?” is one of the questions to consider.

And if you do pick and choose chapters to read, I would suggest including the introduction and epilogue. The author closes her book noting the scary times we are living in during a pandemic. And yet, along with her hope of connection and finding home, “What may be clearest to us in this perilous moment is our interconnectedness, the fact that we share a common home with all of humanity.” Even when this pandemic ends, we will hopefully still find that connectivity with each other.

A PDF review copy of this book was provided by the publisher, Cascade Books, an Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers.

Tales of the Inner City – A Book Review

By guest blogger Gloria Burgess

If you like the idea of exploring a fantasy world with interesting characters and unique places, then you should enjoy Tales of the Inner City by Scott Bryte. As the title suggests, all the stories take place in the Inner City, but it’s not the typical inner city you might have grown up in or visited. It’s an inner city where nothing is as you imagine. The neighbors you’ll meet include characters such as Rinny Reet, a remarkable chef whose claim to fame is malted marshmallow milkshakes. You’ll also be hanging out in the hood with Tobbi, Bimmy, and the Freep kids teaching the turtle Fluffy to fly. The most constant characters are the narrator and Grandfather; you never learn who the narrator is and Grandfather “sits to tell tales and answer questions and make up the truth”.

The tales all have a Bible related story and you don’t need to be a biblical scholar to know which stories this imaginative collection focuses on. Author Scott Bryte has included an appendix with study prompts to make understanding and using the stories to teach accessible to everyone.

I spent an enjoyable afternoon reading all 13 stories and referencing the appendix for greater understanding. I truly enjoyed “How Zimm Got There” and his tower of refrigerators and other items. The correlation to the Bible story of the Tower of Babel is not that hidden for even a novice Bible reader to see. I can see this book being used for young readers to young adults as a bridge to their understanding of some of the most memorable Bible stories. It takes the stories out of the Bible context and puts them in an imagery world that is easy to relate to. I think this book would be great to read to children and then have a discussion about the actual story. It would also be useful to someone who is a new Christian and is struggling with understanding some of the most important stories of their faith.

A review copy of this book was provided by the author.

Faith Formation Is a Lifelong Journey

As September approaches, it’s time to get ready for another programming year in the church. Often, when we talk about Christian education or Sunday school, we’re referring to programs for children and youth. But no one “graduates” from learning about God and how to live in God’s world — faith formation is lifelong. We can ponder our questions about life and faith alone, but adult study groups give us the opportunity to share the struggles and joys of living a Christian life with others. Adults bring their varied life experiences to group discussions and can offer different ways of looking at biblical passages or complex issues.

In the past, adult study groups were often led by the pastor or another person who was there to impart wisdom to the group. Nowadays, groups are more prone to have a facilitator, someone who can keep the discussion on track and make sure everyone has a chance to share their views. The use of an introductory video segment is a great way to start a session and can quickly give information and raise questions, especially in studies which don’t require lesson preparation for participants. Study groups may meet at the church or in someone’s home; starting with food is a great way to encourage fellowship.

Trends in studies include not only the use of videos and little or no participant preparation, but also short-term studies. DVD studies, as well as traditional studies, can be expensive and may only be used once in a small church, so churches may want to save money by subscribing to the services of a resource center which loans out studies.

At PRC – Practical Resources for Churches we have a large selection of studies (over 1300 study-related resources) available for subscribers to borrow at no cost. We will even mail out studies to those who are unable to get to one of our centers and we will usually purchase a study if it is requested by one of our subscribers. If you prefer to purchase studies yourself, follow the links in this post for more information.

Some of our most popular studies are in the area of Prayer and Spiritual Practices, Theological Questions, and Living Your Faith. Studies in all areas of the Bible are also popular. We have numerous DVD studies by recognized authors such as Adam Hamilton, Philip Yancey, and N. T. (Tom) Wright. Hamilton’s many studies include Making Sense of the Bible which looks at how we understand and interpret the Bible. He also has studies on biblical figures such as Moses, John, and Paul, as well as studies for the seasons of Advent and Lent. Two of Yancey’s most popular studies include The Jesus I Never Knew and What’s So Amazing About Grace? Available N.T. Wright studies are Jesus: The New Way and Surprised by Hope.

Many of the studies in our Living Your Faith area are video based and include the Embracing series with presenters such as Walter Brueggemann, Diana Butler Bass, and Phyllis Tickle. Other offerings include The Way of Life with Brian McLaren, as well as Hazardous Saints: Christians Risking All, Changing Everything, and The Jesus Creed. We also have studies on the topic of social justice including Fear of the Other and the recently published Dialogues on the Refugees Crisis.

Contact PRC for assistance in planning an adult study program or selecting a study for your church. For more information about planning and leading studies, check out our recorded webinar “You Can Lead an Adult Study” and/or download the booklet of the same name. You can also find more information about CE for adults on the Adult Ministry page of the Links & Online Resources section of PRC’s website. PRC offers annual subscriptions at a reasonable price for those in our geographic area as well as at-a-distance subscriptions. Check out our website for more information.

We’d appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to answer our online survey about adult Christian education at you church.