Ben Campbell Johnson

This book seeks to help individuals live constantly in God's presence. Writing in the tradition of Brother Lawrence and those authors concerned with the realization of God's presence amid the daily round, Ben Campbell Johnson offers a collection of traditional spiritual practices that Christians have found helpful in fostering a more consistent relationship with God. Following introductory discussion of the reality and nature of spiritual awareness, including a fascinating excursus on the "art of wondering," each chapter of this book describes a spiritual posture that can aid people in recognizing and nurturing God's presence in their lives. Johnson explores ways of being with God, listening to God, and attending the divine presence. Each chapter concludes with suggestions for journaling designed to let readers experience each specific posture in a concrete way.

Avoiding theological jargon and using language more accessible to the lay person than that in the Bible, this book invites readers to discover for themselves what Jesus has done for the world and continues to do in the world. The invitation is offered in the form of daily readings from the four Gospel accounts of Jesus' life and ministry.

The greatest problem facing mainline churches today is not declining numbers, shifting social allegiances, or confused leadership. It is loss of vision. This bold yet constructive book urges pastors to again see their congregations as real expressions of "the body of Christ" and suggests ways to revise - and energize - their ministries based on this vision. "Complete with discussion questions that make it ideal for use in a wide variety of educational settings, Imagining a Church in the Spirit will help church leaders successfully meet the cultural challenges that await us in the twenty-first century.

Many mainline churches today have members (both laity and clergy) who find it a problem to speak face-to-face about God. This creative book offers a theological foundation, practical suggestions, and a positive model for sharing faith. Ben Campbell Johnson combines evangelism and spiritual guidance in order to provide a fresh image and a new style of faith sharing. He gives a model of spiritual direction that offers a positive, attractive way of doing face-to-face evangelical work.

Popular author Ben Campbell Johnson discusses how the will of God relies on the depths of the human psyche. He addresses in specific terms how one may use intuition, imagination, and memory to ascertain the leading of God's will. Johnson claims that once God's will is sensed, one must trust that God will continue to give guidance. For each chapter, a series of reflection exercises is provided along with a brief guide to the process of discernment.

Is the pastor a performer, manager, entertainer, therapist, or bureaucrat? While modern pastors are often associated with roles like these, Ben Campbell Johnson examines ministry and all its functions from a spiritual perspective and helps pastors see themselves as individuals called by God. With exercises designed to help them reflect on their experiences, he helps ministers recapture the essence of their calling.

Popular author Ben Campbell Johnson views Christian life as a journey toward God and himself as one of the travelers. He describes how the spiritual life develops in relation to the events, perceptions, and interpretations of every day. Enriched by stories as well as biblical and personal examples, this clearly written book can guide Christians on their most important journey.

Dr. Gerald Durley's life inspires and enlightens men and women across religious, ethnic, racial and generational differences. This well-written memoir offers insights into the making and shaping of his gregarious, engaging and caring personality, which was forged in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement and upon the pulpit of social justice. --Imam Plemon T. El-Amin, Retired Imam, Atlanta Masjid Al-Islam There are few people who have influenced my life more than Gerald Durley. In his presence, you are overcome by his charisma and force of personality. He has been my counselor, comforter and faith leader. The story of his life shows how difficulty and discrimination can be overcome with love and compassion. My family loves and treasures Gerald Durley, and so do I. --Roy E. Barnes, Governor, State of Georgia, 1999-2003 Dr. Durley's journey reveals the fact that those who dedicate their lives for the rights of others are not born... but called and they choose to make a difference. This book will encourage you to believe that you, too, can make a difference. Your life can be amazing when you give back. --Congressman John Lewis Dr. Durley's life demonstrates the fact that all of our lives can be amazing when we are willing to lift others up. He has dedicated his life to enriching the lives of others and his journey is truly Amazing Read, Find and Follow your own Amazing Journey. --Ambassador Andrew Young

Over the Past few decades mainline Protestant congregations have not easily embraced the notion of spirituality. As much as any aspect of church life, spirituality has been misunderstood, misused, and resisted by both clergy and laity. Yet times are changing. Today many people feel a deep spiritual hunger and are out looking for fulfillment in a wide variety of settings. In this new context, mainline congregations need to awaken to the presence of the Spirit in their midst and equip leaders to nurture both the personal and corporate spirituality of their congregations. Beyond the Ordinary is explicitly written to help church leaders who have had no formal training in spiritual formation. Drawing from years of experience teaching Christian spirituality, Ben Campbell Johnson and Andrew Dreitcer explore the spiritual dimensions of leadership, looking in depth at the meaning of spirituality as it relates to the tasks of ministry. This friendly, inspiring book will enable readers to erase the negative stereotypes of spirituality and develop vital models and practices for the church today.The book introduces a faithful understanding and practice of the spiritual life to those who have not yet dipped into the well that is Christian spirituality. For those who have already tasted this water and still thirst, it offers a way to dip even more deeply. Chapters discuss the issues surrounding a meaningful spirituality for our changing times, the importance of holding prayer and mission in tension, and the crucial role of Scripture in the formation of our lives. The authors also underscore the importance of vision, myth, and discernment in the spiritual life of the church. And they discuss the power of spiritual practices like discernment and visioning for enhancing the spirituality of congregations and helping them become agents of social transformation. Intended for personal and group use by pastors, elders, other church leaders, and those preparing for service in the church, the book includes questions for reflection and discussion as well as journaling exercises to encourage learning and growth.

Here are fresh, enlightening, practical, and logical strategies for "doing" evangelism in the local church. Johnson's "Organismic Evangelism" is a new approach that is based on the utilization of the entire "organism" of the church. Johnson shows how to use these human resources to capture the spirit of Christian love, encouragement, and acceptance. More than a book, this is a source of information for church members, a study resource for church officers, a guide for church committees, and a text for workshops on evangelism (features an outline for workshops). Its concise organization and straightforward writing offer proven methods for accomplishing the job set before us by our Lord -- "Go, ye, into all the world!"