Spirituality

Many Christians do not know how to utilize the wisdom of the Psalms. Drawing upon more than 30 years of pastoral ministry, McCutchan offers a fresh approach to integrating the Psalms into the life of the whole church. He not only illustrates practical ways to utilize the Psalms in liturgy and preaching but also suggests ways to use the Psalms in pastoral care.

The Psalms can become the framework for examining current ethical problems and for providing self-care for clergy. McCutchan examines the Psalms with this in mind, and confronts the issue of the harsh language of the psalms, suggesting that this language may well be the key to helping believers bring their whole lives to the worship of God.

Experiencing the Psalms can be used as a resource for the congregation that seeks to bring the language of spirituality to the lives of the believers. This book provides an effective strategy for clergy who want to help their members cope with their pain and share their joys in all aspects of their lives.

Given the ideologically divided, tension-filled world in which we live, imagine hearing someone tell you how God can work through these divisions in a way that offers hope and healing for the world. McCutchan suggests that this is exactly what Matthew sought to do in his gospel. The Hebrew scriptures tell the story of how God chose to accomplish a divine work of reconciliation through a chosen people who demonstrated the same strengths and weaknesses as most people in the world today. 

Do people look, with any expectation, to the church for salvation from the alienating frustrations of modern life, let alone the ultimate alienation of death? In our time, the belief in the centrality of the church for salvation has almost totally disappeared.

The growing number of “spiritual but not religious” presents a challenge to those who are active in the church. This book recognizes the weaknesses in the church but provides scriptural evidence of how God chooses to work through imperfect people and communities to effect salvation.

Having examined the truth that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness, the book provides a five-part seminar to build confidence among members to engage in conversation with those who have been separated from the church but have a spiritual hunger for something more. While not excusing the church for its failures, it helps clergy educate their membership in how to build the church and testify to how God’s saving grace is effective in the very nature of the church in our time.

We can all use nourishment to sustain us on our spiritual journey, and there’s no better source to get a refreshing drink from than God’s Word. In these pages, the Reverend Stephen McCutchan helps you draw from that endless well with a complete set of theological reflections based on scripture texts from Cycle A of the Revised Common Lectionary. His insightful meditations guide you through each Sunday’s passages by focusing on key themes and highlighting the text’s central meaning for our everyday lives.

This volume is perfect for use as a daily devotional—five easy-to-follow formats for personal meditation are included, allowing you to combine prayer time with reading one of the week’s scripture texts and its accompanying commentary. It’s also a valuable reference for sermon preparation, as well as an excellent curriculum for adult classes integrating Bible study with Sunday worship. However you choose to use it, Water from the Well is an inspirational resource that will strengthen your connection with the divine story and your ability to hear God’s voice speaking through scripture.

In addition to offering theological reflections on each of the lectionary passages in Year B, the author also offers five formats for prayer. A pastor or active lay member could make use of this material on retreat. This volume provides a pastor with a disciplined way of opening oneself to the Spirit in preparation for each Sunday’s worship. Active church members will find this volume an excellent way of listening more deeply during each Sunday’s worship or for small group study that is connected to the weekly worship experience.

We all need refreshment on our spiritual journey, and there’s no better source than a daily encounter with God’s Word. In these pages, the Reverend Stephen McCutchan helps you find the living water offered to us by the rock of the Almighty. His complete set of insightful meditations, based on scripture texts from Cycle C of the Revised Common Lectionary, guides you through each Sunday’s passages by focusing on key subjects and highlighting the central meaning for our everyday lives.

This volume serves as an ideal daily devotional, featuring five easy-to-follow formats for personal meditation. Each format allows you to seamlessly combine prayer time with readings from one of the week’s scripture texts and its accompanying commentary. Beyond personal reflection, it is also a valuable resource for sermon preparation and a fantastic curriculum for adult classes that integrate Bible study with Sunday worship. Water from the Rock is an inspirational guide designed to deepen your connection with the divine story while enhancing your ability to hear God’s voice through scripture.