Steve Harper – författare

For clergy, retirement is an opportunity—and a matter of the soul.The topic of retirement is critical for an increasing number of clergy, but it is often ignored—something many clergy would rather not think about. After decades of leadership, retirement can seem more like an obstacle—or even like oblivion—than an opportunity. Stepping Aside, Moving Ahead offers guidance for any clergyperson within a decade of retirement. Author Steve Harper writes in the form of letters to a fictitious “every-pastor.” Through these compassionate and instructive letters, the author dialogues with clergy who are just beginning to think about what retirement might bring and with those who stand on the brink of it. He guides the reader through the entire process of planning for retirement: from the initial questions about timing, to financial and other practical concerns, to issues of call and legacy, and more. Steve Harper’s wise counsel and pastoral voice is just what clergy need.“Retirement is a spiritual question for pastors. Having answered the call of God to lifetime ministry, how does a pastor assume the role of a retiree? Steve Harper answers the question with spiritual insights and practical suggestions that affirm retirement as a chapter in God’s call leading us to new depths of understanding in renewal and new heights of joy in redeployment.” —David McKenna, President Emeritus, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY“Stepping Aside, Moving Ahead offers theological, personal, and practical advice for anyone who is considering or who is already in retirement. Harper includes a comprehensive spectrum of the issues around clergy retirement. His message is clear: there is abundant life after retirement. This book should be given to every clergy at preretirement seminars in order to prepare servant leaders for this fruitful chapter in their lives.” —Peggy A. Johnson, Bishop, Philadelphia Area, UMC"This book is an excellent tool for boomers and clergy ... who see greatsignificance in living our legacy of love and faith as we mentorothers!" --Clayton L. Smith, Executive Pastor, United Methodist Churchof the Resurrection

Cinco marcas de un metodista confirman nuestra identidad como seguidores genuinos y fructiferos de Cristo: 1. Un metodista ama a Dios 2. Un metodista se regocija en Dios 3. Un metodista da gracias 4. Un metodista ora sin cesar5. Un metodista ama a su projimo Este breve libro, disenado para ser compartido con otras personas, ofrece una meditacion sobre cada una de estas caracteristicas. Con oracion, apliquelos en su peregrinaje con Jesus. Si usted es parte de la familia metodista o wesleyana de todo el mundo, estas cinco marcas le otorgaran un mayor conocimiento y aprecio de por que y como seguir a Jesus. Si usted se encuentra en otra parte del cuerpo de Cristo, puede emerger con una base solida y fuerte para mantener su fundamento espiritual. Las personas cristianas que sigan estas cinco marcas, tienen caracter. Cada capitulo termina con preguntas para reflexion o discusion. Now available in Spanish! Five marks confirm our identity as genuine and fruitful followers of Christ: 1. A Methodist Loves God 2. A Methodist Rejoices in God 3. A Methodist Gives Thanks 4. A Methodist Prays Constantly 5. A Methodist Loves Others This brief book, suitable for sharing with others, provides a meditation on each of these characteristics. Prayerfully apply them to your journey with Jesus. If you are part of the worldwide Methodist or Wesleyan family, these five marks will grant a greater knowledge and appreciation for why and how you follow Jesus. If you are located in another part of the body of Christ, you can emerge with a solid foundation to keep your spiritual house standing strong. Christians marked by these five habits, when taken together have character.Each chapter ends with questions for reflection or discussion.

Do conservatives or progressives “own” the teachings about what the Bible says about human sexuality and marriage? For some—perhaps a vocal minority—the question is no longer up for debate or discussion: conservatives win. For others, the issues are not that simple. A fresh, rigorous, but yet concise, theological examination of the Bible’s teachings is required. There are other ways to interpret scripture faithfully with respect to sexuality other than the conservative interpretation.In Holy Love, Steve Harper strives to articulate the truth about the teachings of the Bible and Wesleyan tradition on human sexuality. This very accessible book is intended for church leaders, small groups, and those interested in understanding the Bible’s teaching on this fundamental component of human life, experience and relationships. The book will help church leaders and small groups make the constructive case that biblical, Christian teaching is compatible with faithful, covenantal love and intimacy amidst all sexual orientations.

E. Stanley Jones observed that people “know everything about life except how to live it.” We humans have acquired immense knowledge and achieved great things. We are enlightened, Jones said, but not necessarily enlivened. Steve Harper has been mulling over this human situation for a few decades and offers his profoundly inspiring conclusions in Life In Christ. Harper helps us recognize our tendency to search for life through rules and dogmas rather than in relationships with other people and with God. By living in relationship, we live as enlivened Christians, the abundant life God intends for us and the life we long for. He encourages us to see the spiritual life as a movement, where we are always on the way, taking steps forward to continually align our lives with Christ. He shows us how Christ can be the goal and pattern for our lives, motivating us to live as God’s beloved and as instruments of God’s love. Harper provides a wealth of helps, including a set of questions for reflecting on each chapter, a discussion guide for conversing about the book in a group, and extensive reading lists for further enrichment.

A spiritual practice for serious-minded (but busy) people.Everyone needs renewal, even the most committed among us. The spiritual life requires regular practice and a bit of time. Coming Alive: Daily Meditations for Spiritual Renewal offers five brief meditations each week for focused reading, reflection, and prayer. Each entry centers on a passage of scripture or spiritual writing. The meditations are deep, insightful, and beautifully simple, as readers have come to expect from Steve Harper’s writing. This timeless book offers a gently challenging daily habit, which leads to renewal of spirit and mind. Coming Alive features- Brief readings, about 10 minutes per day- Undated readings, so readers can determine their own pattern of practice- Spiritual depth and wisdom from ancient and contemporary sources- Foreword by Brian McLarenFrom the Foreword:“Steve Harper''s new book beautifully focuses in on the real core of the spiritual life: Not dogma, not rules and regulations, not duties or guilt, not pressure or obligation ... but life, life to the full, what I like to call aliveness.”--Brian McLaren

A powerful guide for new and longtime United Methodists.Upward! is a simple but brilliant course on Wesleyanism for regular people. It thoroughly and methodically guides readers through the distinctive qualities of the Wesleyan way—the theology, practices, habits, and attitudes that characterize Methodist people. Paul W. Chilcote and Steve Harper, two of Methodism’s most beloved teachers, offer this extraordinary book as an invitation to a life of wisdom and wonder in our current world. It is a book of both instruction and celebration, teaching (or reminding) us what makes the Wesleyan way most gracious and lovely. Pastors and other leaders will use Upward as their primary resource for sharing the Wesleyan approach. It can be used in a wide variety of ways and settings—as a sermon series, congregation-wide study, or for new member classes, to name a few. Individuals will use the book as a personal study, ideally in connection with others. Upward! helps leaders and readers to:- correct misconceptions about Wesleyan theology- clarify and reclaim Wesleyan theology- gain a new framework for understanding Wesleyan theology and sharing it with others

The way forward requires both old ways and new ways!Step into the world of Wesleyan beliefs and practices with this small, insightful, and impactful book! Join the Wesleys on their journey through early Methodism, and unlock hidden treasures that are still relevant today. Harper and Beck expertly guide readers towards a new era of Christian experience, combining old traditions with modern approaches for a revitalized church community. With its compact size, this book is perfect for leaders looking to unite their congregations around Methodist identity and future direction. Don’t miss out on this essential resource for shaping the next chapter in your faith journey!This book is a must-read for anyone in the Wesleyan faith stream, those involved in fresh expressions and other unconventional faith communities, and leaders within Wesleyan communities. Discover the heart of Methodist tradition, envision its relevance today, and boldly share these timeless treasures and new visions with others.

« Pourquoi devrais-je continuer à prier alors que cela semble avoir si peu d''effet? » L''auteur, Steve Harper, reconnaît ses propres difficultés face à la prière : « Quelquefois je me dis que, si Dieu m''a demandé de parler, d''écrire et d''enseigner au sujet de la prière, c''est pour que moi-même je n''y renonce pas complètement. Après plus de quarante ans de pratique, je ne comprends toujours pas la prière. […] Elle ne me vient pas facilement. Au travers des pages de ce livre, je vais vous demander de remonter vos manches et de faire face à vos problèmes dans ce domaine - puis de continuer à prier. Vous aurez quelquefois l''impression de parler au cœur de l''obscurité. Mais le fait est que le son se déplace aussi bien dans l''obscurité que dans la lumière. » Extrait de l''introduction Si vous êtes frustré par votre vie de prière et que vous vous demandez si les efforts que vous faites en valent la peine, ce livre est pour vous. « Dans Parler au cœur de l''obscurité, le docteur Steve Harper propose une nouvelle version de la célèbre phrase de Shakespeare : “prier ou ne pas prier : là est la question”. Chaque chapitre nous convainc que nous ne pouvons pas plus abandonner la prière que nous ne pouvons cesser de respirer. Pour ceux d''entre nous qui continuent à prier au cœur de l''obscurité, ce livre est comme un rayon de lumière. Il nous conduit vers de nouvelles profondeurs de foi et d''abandon au Dieu Très Saint, qui entend nos cris. » Susan Muto, docteur en philosophie