Routine, busyness, noise, distractions, work, burdens, cluttered existence, and countless other matters blind us to seeing the splendor, beauty and mystery of the holy in the ordinary all around us. This book helps plant our feet on the path to recapture the child within to experience the blessing of being genuinely alive to God and to the world in which we live. It is an invitation to go on a journey within to try to see through the eyes of a child once again.

Do you feel like your prayers are not heard?

Prayer has often been described simply as communicating with God. How many of us talk to God daily? If we did not speak to our spouse daily, how much would we know about her/him?

Dr William Powell Tuck brings not only years of studying the Scripture but perhaps more importantly his own prayer experience and his time as a pastor, counseling and teaching others. "I have often been embarrassed to admit that praying has not come so easily or naturally to me," he confesses in this book.This frank and open attitude gives us all a renewed hope, makes us eager to see what Dr Tuck has to say about prayer, and try his suggestions.

When called on to preach, whether you are a pastor or lay preacher, do you sometimes find yourself blocked?

"Writer''s block is a common complaint from many authors. They reach a point sometimes when they simply cannot produce anything worth reading. Preachers often encounter this same kind of roadblock when they attempt to prepare sermons."- William Powell Tuck

With this opening sentence, Dr Tuck brings his many years of experience as professor and pastor and freely gives some "nuts and bolts" of sermon preparation and "pots and pans" essential for effective preaching.

This book is not about the philosophy or theology of preaching but about preparing for, writing, and preaching a sermon. While the reader may quickly find a solution to this week''s sermon, Dr. Tuck also gives ideas and plans for long-term preparation to open a new pathway, moving sermons from a burden to a blessing for the writer as well as the intended listener.

Anyone called to preach can benefit from reading this book.

Changing pastors is a critical time in the life of a church, with opportunities for misunderstanding between the congregation and the incoming and outgoing pastors.

In this short volume, Dr. Tuck draws on his experience in all phases of this transition to help pastors and congregations understand the process and learn to work together to make such change successful. He addresses the role of the interim pastor, of the church leaders, and the departing and incoming pastors.

While this time of change can be a challenge, and in some churches has had negative results, this book provides a guide to the attitudes and actions that will make this an opportunity for growth, new ministry, and continuing spiritual transformation. As a volume in the Conversations in Ministry Series, edited by a committee from the Academy of Parish Clergy, it is selected by parish pastors for parish pastors, and designed for your busy schedule.

If you are a pastor and are facing a change of this nature or are a leader in a congregation that is experiencing or about to experience such a transition, Beginning and Ending a Pastorate will provide you with clear, practical, scripturally based, and theologically sound advice for every step of the way. It is, as one reviewer noted, a worthy guide.

What’s a preacher to do with holidays?

Some seem to almost preach themselves, especially those in the church calendar. Others are more secular or may seem to conflict with the church calendar. Some are even controversial and require a gentle, but firm touch of the preacher’s art.

William Powell Tuck is a master preacher and in this book he demonstrates his sensitivity to the issues raised by some of the holidays and special days of the year along with his grounding in biblical studies, theology, and homiletics.

You can read these sermons as essays if you want, but they are not light devotionals. They are serious efforts to grapple honestly with issues and to guide a church community in learning and growing as they celebrate their lives, their families, and their communities.

For the preacher, these sermons can serve as models for how to approach these days, as well as providing insight into the various issues involved.

One of the most difficult tasks that may confront a pastor is the preaching of a funeral homily. What are the words that will provide comfort and encouragement to the family and friends of the deceased? What words will be faithful to the message of the gospel and the community of faith?

William Powell Tuck, author of the practical guide to preaching, Overcoming Sermon Block and Holidays, Holy Days, and Special Days draws on his years of experience, training, and teaching to provide some examples of funeral homilies that can help young pastors to prepare for everything from joyful celebrations of a long life well lived to the memory of life tragically shortened.

But this book is not just useful for pastors. Reading these homilies will provide you with insight into understand grief. Whether you are dealing with loss yourself, or looking for ways to help friends or family, you will find insights and encouragement in the homilies in this book.

Stewardship is one of the essential means the church utilizes to roll up its sleeves and engage in the ministry it is challenged to do. — William Powell Tuck

Jesus said in His sermon on the mountain, "Blessed are ..." (Matthew 5:1-12)

James said, Faith without works is dead. (James 2:14-26)

Dr. Bill Tuck shares his heart and his teachings on stewardship that will bring the reader into a greater appreciation of how God wants to use our time, talent and finances to build His Church as well as draw us into a deeper relationship with Him. You will find each chapter begins with a scriptural notation that will lend itself to further study and meditation on God''s Word. May we be found to not only be reader of God''s Word, but also doers of His Word.

Many negative voices predict the demise of the church, or even claiming it has already happened. Is this negative assessment accurate? Is there hope for the church?

William Powell Tuck believes that there is. Drawing from a lifetime of experience as a pastor, honed by research, teaching at the seminary level, and writing, he provides a roadmap for the church to be both faithful and to speak clearly in the 21st century. The presentation is rooted in scripture, theologically informed, and fully aware of the reality that churches face today.

This is not your dry text on ecclesiology. While it could serve as a text for a seminary class, the class would be a practical class about how to reform the church and reach out to a world in need.

This book is an exceptional resource for pastors, but it would also provide an excellent basis for a churchwide study, helping a congregation to extend their witness.

Even when it comes to our faith, voices seem to come from many directions, urging us to follow them. How do we decide what is real and what is false?

Christian voices are mixed with fundamental certainty to agnostic Christianity, biblical literalism and inerrancy to prosperity gospel, the only true church to come as you are and leave as you came invitations, narrow-minded beliefs to anything goes philosophy, or an eternal quest for the truth with an openness to a growing faith. - William P. Tuck

Prolific writer, William P. Tuck, brings his insight from years as pastor and mentor. He pulls no punches and seems to look the leader right in eye with his candor and desire to bring each person closer to the real deal, Jesus Christ. This book is a comprehensive presentation of how to live the Christian life faithfully with an effective witness to the world around us.

How God speaks, the temptations that distract us, praying, hearing God answer in various ways, are all part of Tuck''s sharing. Jesus called us to be Light and Salt. What voice will you follow to be Jesus'' Light?

Passing our faith from generation to generation is difficult. It has been this way from the time that Cain killed his brother, through Israel''s call for a king because Samuel''s sons were not like him, up to the present day when children reject their parents'' faith.

Prolific author (37 books and counting ) William Powell Tuck wants to "tell to the next generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, his might, and the wonderful things he has done" (Psalm 78:4).

In this book, he does so by answering serious questions from his grandchildren, many of whom are college age. He''s not afraid to address the controversial questions with them, including current issues of politics, climate change, and human sexuality. But all of these questions are addressed from a foundation of informed Christian faith, honed through years of preaching, teaching and writing. At the same time, he addresses questions from the younger grandchildren in simpler terms.

With an accessible, question and answer layout, the reader can find direction in addressing these topics during their own family discussions, or in teaching them in small groups, Sunday School, or even from the pulpit.

Every generation can benefit from this book, but those who teach will find it especially helpful. Shouldn''t that be every Christian?

Discussions of Jesus’ words and actions as he went to the cross are fairly common. What about the other players? How do their reactions connect to the critical, final action of Jesus?

Dr. William Powell Tuck, who has previously written about the centrality of the cross in Christian faith (The Church Under the Cross), and the last words of Jesus (The Last Words from the Cross), takes a look at the reaction of others who were involved, leading up to the final cry of Jesus, “It is finished!” In doing so, Dr. Tuck leads us to questions of how we respond to Jesus personally, and especially to the meaning of this central event of Christianity.

It is easy for us to think about the resurrection and to speak of the joy, strength, and triumph that it portrays. But we lose the depth and breadth of the resurrection when we fail to look at these scenes from the journey Jesus took to the cross itself. Our response to strength, glory, and triumph is less a demonstration of who we are than our response to trials and apparent tragedy.

In this book you will learn to look at different perspectives on that difficult time, as people react to events they do not understand. How can we learn to respond better to the situations that our lives present to us?

This book is suitable for individual reading, and would also make an excellent study for a small group. While it would be particularly valuable as a Lenten study, mediation on the cross is valuable at any time of the year.

What is the primary mission of the church? In this book author William Powell Tuck argues for the significance of the church''s mission to proclaim the good news of God''s reconciliation with the world through Jesus Christ.

To place this mission in historical and theological context, the author explores various biblical stories that highlight the importance of carrying out the church''s missional calling. He argues that the church must reclaim its calling to share the good news, especially in a world that has largely lost the true message and meaning for which the Church was founded. He insights into understanding biblical characters, the sweep of Christ''s love, and the role of reconciliation in the context of God''s eternal plan of redemption. Tuck also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on churches and congregations and provides suggestions for how the church can re-engage in its mission effectively in a post-pandemic world.

The message of this book is presented with biblical depth, pastoral compassion, and the potential to inspire and challenge readers to embrace the church''s mission of sharing the good news. It''s broad view of biblical history makes it helpful for understanding the broad sweep of the Bible''s message. It''s practical presentation makes it useful for any church leader, and in fact for any Christian who wants to embrace Christ''s call to reach the world.

Routine, busyness, noise, distractions, work, burdens, cluttered existence, and countless other matters blind us to seeing the splendor, beauty and mystery of the holy in the ordinary all around us. This book helps plant our feet on the path to recapture the child within to experience the blessing of being genuinely alive to God and to the world in which we live. It is an invitation to go on a journey within to try to see through the eyes of a child once again.

Do you feel like your prayers are not heard?

Prayer has often been described simply as communicating with God. How many of us talk to God daily? If we did not speak to our spouse daily, how much would we know about her/him?

Dr William Powell Tuck brings not only years of studying the Scripture but perhaps more importantly his own prayer experience and his time as a pastor, counseling and teaching others. "I have often been embarrassed to admit that praying has not come so easily or naturally to me," he confesses in this book.This frank and open attitude gives us all a renewed hope, makes us eager to see what Dr Tuck has to say about prayer, and try his suggestions.

When called on to preach, whether you are a pastor or lay preacher, do you sometimes find yourself blocked?

"Writer''s block is a common complaint from many authors. They reach a point sometimes when they simply cannot produce anything worth reading. Preachers often encounter this same kind of roadblock when they attempt to prepare sermons."- William Powell Tuck

With this opening sentence, Dr Tuck brings his many years of experience as professor and pastor and freely gives some "nuts and bolts" of sermon preparation and "pots and pans" essential for effective preaching.

This book is not about the philosophy or theology of preaching but about preparing for, writing, and preaching a sermon. While the reader may quickly find a solution to this week''s sermon, Dr. Tuck also gives ideas and plans for long-term preparation to open a new pathway, moving sermons from a burden to a blessing for the writer as well as the intended listener.

Anyone called to preach can benefit from reading this book.

Changing pastors is a critical time in the life of a church, with opportunities for misunderstanding between the congregation and the incoming and outgoing pastors.

In this short volume, Dr. Tuck draws on his experience in all phases of this transition to help pastors and congregations understand the process and learn to work together to make such change successful. He addresses the role of the interim pastor, of the church leaders, and the departing and incoming pastors.

While this time of change can be a challenge, and in some churches has had negative results, this book provides a guide to the attitudes and actions that will make this an opportunity for growth, new ministry, and continuing spiritual transformation. As a volume in the Conversations in Ministry Series, edited by a committee from the Academy of Parish Clergy, it is selected by parish pastors for parish pastors, and designed for your busy schedule.

If you are a pastor and are facing a change of this nature or are a leader in a congregation that is experiencing or about to experience such a transition, Beginning and Ending a Pastorate will provide you with clear, practical, scripturally based, and theologically sound advice for every step of the way. It is, as one reviewer noted, a worthy guide.

What’s a preacher to do with holidays?

Some seem to almost preach themselves, especially those in the church calendar. Others are more secular or may seem to conflict with the church calendar. Some are even controversial and require a gentle, but firm touch of the preacher’s art.

William Powell Tuck is a master preacher and in this book he demonstrates his sensitivity to the issues raised by some of the holidays and special days of the year along with his grounding in biblical studies, theology, and homiletics.

You can read these sermons as essays if you want, but they are not light devotionals. They are serious efforts to grapple honestly with issues and to guide a church community in learning and growing as they celebrate their lives, their families, and their communities.

For the preacher, these sermons can serve as models for how to approach these days, as well as providing insight into the various issues involved.

One of the most difficult tasks that may confront a pastor is the preaching of a funeral homily. What are the words that will provide comfort and encouragement to the family and friends of the deceased? What words will be faithful to the message of the gospel and the community of faith?

William Powell Tuck, author of the practical guide to preaching, Overcoming Sermon Block and Holidays, Holy Days, and Special Days draws on his years of experience, training, and teaching to provide some examples of funeral homilies that can help young pastors to prepare for everything from joyful celebrations of a long life well lived to the memory of life tragically shortened.

But this book is not just useful for pastors. Reading these homilies will provide you with insight into understand grief. Whether you are dealing with loss yourself, or looking for ways to help friends or family, you will find insights and encouragement in the homilies in this book.

Stewardship is one of the essential means the church utilizes to roll up its sleeves and engage in the ministry it is challenged to do. — William Powell Tuck

Jesus said in His sermon on the mountain, "Blessed are ..." (Matthew 5:1-12)

James said, Faith without works is dead. (James 2:14-26)

Dr. Bill Tuck shares his heart and his teachings on stewardship that will bring the reader into a greater appreciation of how God wants to use our time, talent and finances to build His Church as well as draw us into a deeper relationship with Him. You will find each chapter begins with a scriptural notation that will lend itself to further study and meditation on God''s Word. May we be found to not only be reader of God''s Word, but also doers of His Word.

Many negative voices predict the demise of the church, or even claiming it has already happened. Is this negative assessment accurate? Is there hope for the church?

William Powell Tuck believes that there is. Drawing from a lifetime of experience as a pastor, honed by research, teaching at the seminary level, and writing, he provides a roadmap for the church to be both faithful and to speak clearly in the 21st century. The presentation is rooted in scripture, theologically informed, and fully aware of the reality that churches face today.

This is not your dry text on ecclesiology. While it could serve as a text for a seminary class, the class would be a practical class about how to reform the church and reach out to a world in need.

This book is an exceptional resource for pastors, but it would also provide an excellent basis for a churchwide study, helping a congregation to extend their witness.

Even when it comes to our faith, voices seem to come from many directions, urging us to follow them. How do we decide what is real and what is false?

Christian voices are mixed with fundamental certainty to agnostic Christianity, biblical literalism and inerrancy to prosperity gospel, the only true church to come as you are and leave as you came invitations, narrow-minded beliefs to anything goes philosophy, or an eternal quest for the truth with an openness to a growing faith. - William P. Tuck

Prolific writer, William P. Tuck, brings his insight from years as pastor and mentor. He pulls no punches and seems to look the leader right in eye with his candor and desire to bring each person closer to the real deal, Jesus Christ. This book is a comprehensive presentation of how to live the Christian life faithfully with an effective witness to the world around us.

How God speaks, the temptations that distract us, praying, hearing God answer in various ways, are all part of Tuck''s sharing. Jesus called us to be Light and Salt. What voice will you follow to be Jesus'' Light?

Passing our faith from generation to generation is difficult. It has been this way from the time that Cain killed his brother, through Israel''s call for a king because Samuel''s sons were not like him, up to the present day when children reject their parents'' faith.

Prolific author (37 books and counting ) William Powell Tuck wants to "tell to the next generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, his might, and the wonderful things he has done" (Psalm 78:4).

In this book, he does so by answering serious questions from his grandchildren, many of whom are college age. He''s not afraid to address the controversial questions with them, including current issues of politics, climate change, and human sexuality. But all of these questions are addressed from a foundation of informed Christian faith, honed through years of preaching, teaching and writing. At the same time, he addresses questions from the younger grandchildren in simpler terms.

With an accessible, question and answer layout, the reader can find direction in addressing these topics during their own family discussions, or in teaching them in small groups, Sunday School, or even from the pulpit.

Every generation can benefit from this book, but those who teach will find it especially helpful. Shouldn''t that be every Christian?

Discussions of Jesus’ words and actions as he went to the cross are fairly common. What about the other players? How do their reactions connect to the critical, final action of Jesus?

Dr. William Powell Tuck, who has previously written about the centrality of the cross in Christian faith (The Church Under the Cross), and the last words of Jesus (The Last Words from the Cross), takes a look at the reaction of others who were involved, leading up to the final cry of Jesus, “It is finished!” In doing so, Dr. Tuck leads us to questions of how we respond to Jesus personally, and especially to the meaning of this central event of Christianity.

It is easy for us to think about the resurrection and to speak of the joy, strength, and triumph that it portrays. But we lose the depth and breadth of the resurrection when we fail to look at these scenes from the journey Jesus took to the cross itself. Our response to strength, glory, and triumph is less a demonstration of who we are than our response to trials and apparent tragedy.

In this book you will learn to look at different perspectives on that difficult time, as people react to events they do not understand. How can we learn to respond better to the situations that our lives present to us?

This book is suitable for individual reading, and would also make an excellent study for a small group. While it would be particularly valuable as a Lenten study, mediation on the cross is valuable at any time of the year.

What is the primary mission of the church? In this book author William Powell Tuck argues for the significance of the church''s mission to proclaim the good news of God''s reconciliation with the world through Jesus Christ.

To place this mission in historical and theological context, the author explores various biblical stories that highlight the importance of carrying out the church''s missional calling. He argues that the church must reclaim its calling to share the good news, especially in a world that has largely lost the true message and meaning for which the Church was founded. He insights into understanding biblical characters, the sweep of Christ''s love, and the role of reconciliation in the context of God''s eternal plan of redemption. Tuck also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on churches and congregations and provides suggestions for how the church can re-engage in its mission effectively in a post-pandemic world.

The message of this book is presented with biblical depth, pastoral compassion, and the potential to inspire and challenge readers to embrace the church''s mission of sharing the good news. It''s broad view of biblical history makes it helpful for understanding the broad sweep of the Bible''s message. It''s practical presentation makes it useful for any church leader, and in fact for any Christian who wants to embrace Christ''s call to reach the world.