Lynne M. Baab

Although interest in spiritual practices has grown in recent years, most of the books available address individuals who wish to try Christian disciplines such as fasting or fixed-hour prayer. This book, by contrast, offers guidance and examples to Christian leaders as they seek ways to involve their congregations or small groups in spiritual practices.In Joy Together, Lynne M. Baab describes six spiritual practices that congregations can attempt together: thankfulness, fasting, contemplative prayer, lectio divina, hospitality, and Sabbath keeping. She goes on to explore how these practices can help with congregational life and discernment and provides practical instructions for communicating with group members. Discussion questions are included at the end of each chapter so groups can delve into the topics more fully.

Prayers that lead to a growing intimacy with God. Heart-learning, not just more head knowledge. Walking conversations with God. These are a few of the fruits produced by a spiritual practice called holy walks. Rooted in the ancient art of praying the Psalms, holy walks enrich our understanding and practice of prayer by integrating prayer-walking and learning the Psalms by heart. In a practical, deeply personal, and at times humorous manner, Steve Simon shares how holy walks have transformed his own prayer life and revitalized his walk with God--and how they can do the same for the reader. In addition to explaining the spiritual practice of holy walks, Holy Walks also provides an introduction to the book of Psalms, which will be especially valuable for those with limited knowledge of the Bible. Exploring five types of psalms, Holy Walks describes how God uses them to shape our heart in life-giving ways no matter what peaks we're climbing or valleys we're traversing. The book concludes with a discussion on what the Psalms teach about God's relationship with us as our creator, leader, and rescuer. ""Steve Simon walks us through the deep waters of the Psalms. He invites us to rejoice and to lament, to plead and to praise, to question God and to question our own hearts. And as we read his book we become baptized in the prayers that have strengthened the faithful for 3,000 years."" --Dann Stouten, Regional Coordinator, Reformed Church in America, and author of The Gate ""Christians are a strange combination of earthly and spiritual. They are both, and all the time. So walking a dog and praying the Psalms seems the perfect image of what it means to be Christian. Steve Simon captures this tension in his Holy Walks. He walks his dog and prays the Psalms every day. Holy Walks is an extended meditation on that practice."" --Gerald L. Sittser, Professor of Theology, Whitworth University, and author of A Grace Disguised and Water from a Deep Well ""In Holy Walks, Steve Simon invites us to discover fresh movement--literally--in our prayer life, showing a way to get out of our heads and our houses and pray with our whole bodies in God's creation. . . . Anyone looking for more than 'shopping-list prayers' in their conversations with God will find a wise guidebook here."" --Steven Lympus, Pastor of Shadle Park Presbyterian Church in Spokane, and author of The House of DunRaven ""This delightful book provides a roadmap for how ordinary routines like dog walking can become transformative times spent in God's Word."" --Benjamin Brody, DMA, Professor of Church Music and Chair, Department of Music, Whitworth University Stephen C. Simon is a pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has served churches in west Michigan, northern Idaho, and eastern Washington. He also spent twelve years in college ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He and his wife Carol have two sons of whom they're extremely proud, two wonderful daughters-in-law, and two fantastic granddaughters. Plus, a couple of beloved dogs, whom you'll meet in the book.

Prayers that lead to a growing intimacy with God. Heart-learning, not just more head knowledge. Walking conversations with God. These are a few of the fruits produced by a spiritual practice called holy walks. Rooted in the ancient art of praying the Psalms, holy walks enrich our understanding and practice of prayer by integrating prayer-walking and learning the Psalms by heart. In a practical, deeply personal, and at times humorous manner, Steve Simon shares how holy walks have transformed his own prayer life and revitalized his walk with God--and how they can do the same for the reader. In addition to explaining the spiritual practice of holy walks, Holy Walks also provides an introduction to the book of Psalms, which will be especially valuable for those with limited knowledge of the Bible. Exploring five types of psalms, Holy Walks describes how God uses them to shape our heart in life-giving ways no matter what peaks we're climbing or valleys we're traversing. The book concludes with a discussion on what the Psalms teach about God's relationship with us as our creator, leader, and rescuer.

What is the sabbath? A weekly day of rest and worship. People of all ages are discovering that the sabbath is a gift from God – a blessing that brings a renewed awareness of who God is and who we are as his beloved children. These studies will help you to learn more about what the sabbath is and how to practise it. Come and discover God’s gift of rest. With more than 130 titles, the LifeBuilder Bible Studies series delivers sound biblical content and raises thought-provoking questions. It provides a unique Bible study experience for individuals and groups.

Trends and skills for those who offer pastoral careChristian pastoral care has changed a great deal in the past few decades in response to many factors in our rapidly changing world. In part 1 of Nurturing Hope, Lynne Baab discusses seven trends in pastoral care--shifts in who delivers pastoral care, the attitudes and commitments that undergird pastoral care, and societal trends that are shaping pastoral care today. She illustrates them with stories from diverse congregations where Christian caregivers are meeting those challenges in creative and exciting ways.In the second half of the book, Baab presents four practical, doable, energizing skills needed by pastoral carers in our time. Focusing on skills that help carers nurture connections between everyday life and Christian faith, she explores the need for carers to understand common stressors, listen, pray with others, and nurture their personal resilience.Grounded in an understanding of God as the true caregiver and healer, the author offers tips for readers who are training other pastoral carers or developing their own understanding and skills. Each chapter ends with discussion and reflection questions, making the book helpful for groups.Lynne Baab brings readers hope for their caring role and for their own spiritual journey.

Listening skills, and the perspective gained through careful listening, are more important in congregations than ever. Many factors make attentive listening a significant contributor to healthy congregations. As we enter into a post-Christendom culture, the people coming into congregations, as well as the people in the wider community, are less likely to be operating from a shared set of assumptions. With world-wide migration reshaping our communities and congregations, diverse perspectives coming from varied cultural backgrounds are also more common. The breakdown of many support structures in society has created profound pastoral care needs, making listening increasingly significant for both ministers and lay leaders. Polarization over so many issues and the increasing emphasis on story-telling in the journey of faith are two additional reasons why listening matters today. Careful and loving listening nurtures care, connection and depth, which contribute to congregational life and health. Listening to God is another aspect of listening which is gaining increased attention today. Many congregational leaders have become weary of church as a business and are looking for authentic experiences of God s guidance. Congregations are increasingly engaging in communal discernment. Many listening skills used in human interactions are also building blocks for listening to God."

Can I be honest with God when I pray?If we look at the Old Testament, the answer is surely yes. From the exuberant praise of Moses and Miriam to the desperate cries of Jeremiah, the First Testament is rich with heartfelt prayers to our Father. These eight-session LifeGuide(R) Bible Studyfrom Lynne M. Baab, based on prayers from seven Old Testament books, invite you to meet our mighty, loving God in fresh ways, bringing all of who you are to him.For over three decades LifeGuide Bible Studies have provided solid biblical content and raised thought-provoking questions--making for a one-of-a-kind Bible study experience for individuals and groups. This series has more than 130 titles on Old and New Testament books, character studies, and topical studies.

Are your prayers stuck in a rut? In these eight-session LifeGuide(R) Bible Study from Lynne M. Baab you'll find new words and new ways to pray through the prayers of Mary, Simeon and Anna, Peter, Paul, John and Jesus himself. Their words and patterns can serve as rich models for us in our own conversations with God, helping us get out of our ruts and onto fresh new paths of prayer.For over three decades LifeGuide Bible Studies have provided solid biblical content and raised thought-provoking questions--making for a one-of-a-kind Bible study experience for individuals and groups. This series has more than 130 titles on Old and New Testament books, character studies, and topical studies.

Lynne Baab explains an ancient Christian practice that extends beyond giving up food to any regular activity in our contemporary lives. You'll see how taking a break from eating--or driving, or checking e-mail, or watching television--opens us up to discover new things about ourselves and God and the world around us.

Let's face it: our times of rest need work. And God calls us to rest, and even shows us through his own example. With collected insights from sabbath keepers of all ages and backgrounds, Lynne M. Baab offers a practical and hopeful guidebook that encourages all of us to slow down and enjoy our relationship with the God of the universe.

"I can only shake my head in the face of the irony that all too often the very place where we look for life and health, the very place where we expect to nurture and deepen a loving relationship with God, can cause so many to experience the exact opposite." So remarks author Lynne Baab in this timely and discerning examination of burnout in congregations. What is burnout? What causes congregation volunteers to burn out? Why is unpaid service sometimes life giving and other times just another frantic commitment? How can congregations become oases of peace and nurture while still carrying out their mission and ministry? How can we recognize holy moments in the presence of God if we are moving so fast that life passes by us in a blur? How can leaders make congregations healthy places to serve? After reflecting on these important questions and dozens of interviews with congregation volunteers, Baab suggests, "We must not fear burnout; instead, we need to do a better job coming alongside people as they experience burnout, and help them figure out what they are learning."

Pastor & author, Lynne Baab "offers readers a useful tool to understand both their own spiritual journeys and their role in the life of their chosen spiritual community." The book ..".provides a basic understanding of the concepts of psychological type and then builds upon them with applications to real-life issues...."