Books published by Resource Publications (CA)

""In moving poetry, Al Staggs has given us a book that raises all the questions that should be raised about our consumerist and materialistic society. This is not only an intellectual challenge but it is a moral challenge as well."" --Tony Campolo, PhD""You continue to nail the sin of our time--greed and gluttony at the top, despair and tedium below, and a great chasm without empathy in between. In doing so, you continue to remind me of the power of one man''s witness, a single light in his hand as darkness settles around us. But from that one small beacon shines the hope that is the beginning of redemption."" --Bill MoyersAl Staggs holds a BA from Hardin-Simmons University, an MRE from Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary, a ThM from Harvard Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. In the spring of 1983 he was honored as a Charles E. Merrill Fellow at Harvard with major emphasis in applied theology under the direction of Harvey Cox. After serving as a pastor for 24 years, Al became a full-time performing artist. His repertoire of seven programs includes characterizations of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Clarence Jordan, and Oscar Romero. He has been writing and publishing poetry related to the themes of peace and justice throughout his careers as pastor and performer.

There are mysteries to solve when adults think a child is creating a problem, but the child isn''t quite so sure. Enjoy two intriguing stories by David H. Rosen:Samantha the Sleuth: The Case of the Missing SocksOnce again, Samantha''s sock drawer contains nothing but odd socks, all different lengths, different shapes, different colors. Samantha''s mother insists that Samantha must be losing them under her bed or at basketball practice. Samantha isn''t so sure, so she studies up on how to act like a real sleuth. Whatever it takes, Samantha aims to find out the truth!Zack''s Hard LessonZachary Nathan Bromberg is learning to like his new home with the help of his supportive parents. In kind Mrs. Henderson''s second grade class Zack meets Chris Johnson. Chris and Zack bond immediately. They can''t believe how alike they are -- it''s like they are identical twins! But Chris''s parents aren''t so sure about the friendship. What has upset Mr. and Mrs. Johnson is a real mystery to Zack and Chris!

This book is a different kind of commentary. Rather than being the work of one or two individual scholars, it is the result of the collaboration of twenty-one contributors, and others who assisted at all stages of production. The first letter of Peter itself appears to be the product of collaboration of early Christian leaders who sought to encourage those who were suffering for the name of Christ. Christians in today''s world are faced with the same challenge, and we trust that this collaborative commentary will encourage them as they seek to follow in the steps of Christ.""Peter Rodgers, from a lifetime of combining scholarly study with pastoral ministry, here leads a team of younger scholars to produce a sparkling commentary on First Peter, putting it where it belongs at the heart of early Christianity and opening windows on many vital issues of interpretation and application. This book, like its subject, is a gem to be treasured.""--N. T. Wright, University of St. Andrews, Scotland""While biblical exegesis is often carried out individually, the necessity to critique, confirm, and extend the insights of others makes it a collaborative process. 1 Peter: A Collaborative Commentary takes this cooperative venture to another level. By integrating distinct interpretive voices into a substantive analysis of 1 Peter, this commentary serves as a model of reflective scholarly dialogue.""--Travis B. Williams, Associate Professor of Religion, Tusculum College""The beauty of this commentary on 1 Peter is the diversity of collaborators, opinions, and approaches reflected therein. In spite of the diversity, the writing flows seamlessly. By balancing academic rigor with accessible prose, it provides a wonderful teaching resource for theological education and is a welcome addition to the growing oeuvre of Petrine studies."" --Andrew M. Mbuvi, author of Temple, Exile and Identity in 1 Peter and Jude and 2 PeterPeter R. Rodgers is the Vicar of St. Andrew''s Episcopal Church, Antelope, California, and the Director of the Center for Bible Study. He taught New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary, Sacramento Campus. He is the author of Text and Story (Pickwick, 2011) and Exploring the Old Testament in the New (Resource Publications, 2012).

When It Comes to Disciple Making . . . You Get What You Aim For!Because the church grows at the edges, discipling new believers may be one of the most important things you do! Jesus knew this. At the pivotal post-resurrection point, he took the newer-in-faith and synergized a movement. Yet the biblical example and current trends do not match--churches lack consistently in four areas: Aim: They fail to shoot for the new believer''s evangelistic influence. Approach: They teach, but do not instill practices. Angle: Non-relational follow-up leads to disconnected disciples. Anticipation: Limited time did not produce lasting impact.Re-visioning, First Steps offers a fourfold course correction. Set your sights on the superior targets--and exciting results await! This guide will prepare you for the biggest assignment ever given: turn simple followers into strategic players.""One of the things I love about this course is that it combines fresh innovative content with solid skills. So often we are told what we should be doing, without the tools to get there. First Steps smashes the mold!""--Andrew Boganwright, pastor, Sandals Church, California""Sunday was a great beginning for our First Steps class. Response was fantastic, both in numbers and in the ''spirit'' of the class!""--Joe Cox, elder, Chorus Church, California""I remember the day that I realized I could personally have a ministry. Not just my pastor. Not just my church staff. And if God wanted to entrust me with reaching the world, I was all in! First Steps is a unique discipleship guide, written to empower new believers with that same missional paradigm toward their world. May God use this book to awaken a whole new generation of laborers to be ''all in'' for the harvest.""--Claude Hickman, author of Live Life On PurposeGary Comer is the Outreach and Training Director of Sandals Church in Riverside, California. The founder of Soul Whisperer Ministries, his passion is helping churches increase mission efficacy. He has authored Soul Whisperer: Why the Church Must Change the Way It Views Evangelism and the Missional Engagement Series. Connect with Gary at www.soulwhisperministry.com.

To our knowledge nothing with The Suicide Funeral (or Memorial Service): Honoring Their Memory, Comforting Their Survivors'' scope and depth has ever been published. This is an aid to anyone who will be called upon to do a funeral for the nearly 43,000 suicides in America each year. This book is designed to assist clergy, chaplains, and other faith leaders as they develop sermons and homilies for a funeral service. Its mandate is to help those searching for inspiration even though they may feel confused or uncertain undertaking such a daunting assignment. Those who plan and lead a funeral service may enable family and friends to understand and participate intentionally in their grief process. Clergy can have a significant impact on how people react to the suicide as well as provide comfort and assistance to those left behind on their journey through grief. Your leadership will influence how the suicide''s bereaved are treated by others in the days, weeks, and months following the death. Because suicide does not discriminate by race, socio-economic status, or religion, a broad range of faiths and denominations are represented in this book''s sermons, services, and perspectives.""After more than thirty years of serving the needs of those impacted by suicide I can finally refer clergy and those struggling with this challenging cause of death to a book that will help both the caregiver and those impacted by suicide. Approaching this death and offering compassion while overcoming the stigma that has been visited on those left behind is made possible though the gathered works contained in this manuscript. Thank you for this much needed contribution to our literature.""--Frank Campbell, past president of the American Association of Suicidology""I am grateful for this much needed resource created [by Melinda Moore] with the assistance of Rabbi Daniel Roberts. This book will be invaluable to any priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam who might have to help families navigate the pain and anguish caused when a loved one dies by suicide.""--Marvin A. McMickle, President and Professor of Church Leadership, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity SchoolMelinda Moore, is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Eastern Kentucky University. She has conducted suicide treatment, as well as suicide bereavement research.Daniel A. Roberts, DD, DMin, FT, is rabbi emeritus of Temple Emanu El in Cleveland, Ohio. His book, Clergy Retirement: Every Ending a Beginning is recently published.