Free eBook for church leaders tackles contemporary issues: marriage, singleness, parenting, sexual intimacy, pornography, anxiety, depression, and addiction
MALIBU, Calif. — A new eBook published by the Boone Center for the Family at Pepperdine University seeks to empower faith-community leaders to discuss salient contemporary issues with their congregations. Authored by experts in the fields of theology and psychology, Tools for Relevant Church Leaders tackles the often challenging and demanding topics of marriage, singleness, parenting, sexual intimacy, pornography, anxiety, depression, and addiction.
“In addition to spiritual guidance, people turn to the church for emotional and psychological support,” said Sharon Hargrave, executive director of the Boone Center for the Family. “Church leaders need to be on the cutting edge of guiding their communities through complex individual and relational issues. Tools for Relevant Church Leaders provides leaders with the latest facts and strategies for helping their congregations move from pain to peace.”
Drawing on theology, psychology, and the concepts found in the Restoration Therapy model developed by marriage and family therapy expert Terry Hargrave, Tools for Relevant Church Leaders features eight chapters written by members of the Boone Center’s RelateStrong | Leadership Series staff. Featured authors include licensed marriage and family therapists Terry Hargrave, Sharon Hargrave, and Kelly Haer; licensed psychologist and Pepperdine vice president of student affairs Connie Horton; licensed psychologists Melissa Symington and Scott Symington; pastor Jeff Reinke; licensed marriage and family therapists Robin Reinke and Rhett Smith; and licensed marriage and family therapist and licensed professional clinical counselor Robert Scholz. The eBook features a foreword by Reverend Chris Adams and answers important questions such as:
- What are the foundational concepts a church leader needs to understand to be able to help others facing relational challenges?
- With loneliness on the rise in America, what principles can the church use to encourage their congregations to build and maintain healthy relationships with others?
- What can the church do to help people in relational stress beyond referring them to mental health professionals?
- As the number of singles in the United States skyrockets, how can church leaders help singles feel a sense of belonging in their faith communities?
- How can church leaders help those struggling with addiction discover greater relational peace within their families?
Tools for Relevant Church Leaders will also be used as a resource to supplement the Boone Center’s RelateStrong | Leadership Series Summit. Upcoming summits will be held in Carlsbad, California, from March 5 to 7, 2019, and at Pepperdine’s Malibu campus from June 18 to 20, 2019. To learn more or register for a summit, visit family.pepperdine.edu/events.
Tools for Relevant Church Leaders should be read by every church leader who seeks to provide relational help and support for individuals and families. It is available free of charge at boonecenter.pepperdine.edu/ebook.
About the Boone Center for the Family
Encouraging the integration of faith and psychology, the Boone Center for the Family offers programming that educates, equips, and empowers leaders with the tools necessary to foster healthy relationships. The Boone Center for the Family is an extension of Pepperdine University’s commitment to building lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Specialized seminars deliver practical skills and provide support resources to diverse audiences from couples looking to strengthen their marriages to young adults exploring ways to nurture their interpersonal relationships to church leaders discovering new ways to support spiritual formation in their faith communities. Learn more about the RelateStrong | Leadership Series at family.pepperdine.edu/relatestrong-leadership-series/.
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Contact
Alex Forero
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(818) 702-1423
