The purpose of this study is to show how American Catholic bishops go about preparing a pastoral letter on a public issue. The actual preparation of a pastoral letter includes a number of complicated issues. The first two chapters provide background on the bishops' current letter. "Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy," tracing…

A well-rounded congregational approach to the elderly should be based on three premises: (1) older persons can give as well as receive ministry; (2) ministry should assist with aging gracefully and supporting the frail, sick, and dependent; and (3) intergenerational solidarity is to be highly valued. (SK)

Reports on the results of the dissemination of an empirically based, premarital education program within religious organizations. Results reveal that clergy and lay leaders were as effective in the short run as university staff. Couples reported that the communication skills components of premarital education were the most helpful. (Contains 48…

The permanent order of deacon is proposed in the United Methodist Church. The following are suggestions for governing representative ministry so it can be structured to enliven and renew the life of United Methodism: (1) any view of diaconal and other representative ministries must be seen in relation to the general ministry of all Christians; (2)…

This handbook and tool kit is designed for use by persons from a college or from the religious community who wish to explore and facilitate ways in which a variety of mutually enriching relationships can be discovered and established between religious congregations and a college. The handbook outlines the procedures to be used establishing…

Examines the verbal and nonverbal language characteristics of several renowned television preachers. Points out that they have identified and segmented their market to more fully exploit the television market and that they have mastered promotional and advertising skills. Proposes governmental controls of some aspects of religious broadcasting.…

We present an evaluation of the extent to which an empirically based couples' intervention program was successfully disseminated in the community. Clergy and lay leaders from 27 religious organizations who were trained to deliver the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) were contacted approximately yearly for 5 years following…

In this article, the author discusses several issues and concerns on the case of religious groups who attempt to seek converts in school, hiding under the guise of assemblies and free talks on any topic that might be of interest to the school. Students are then lured to a pizza party after, where they are subjected to high-pressure evangelism and…

This biographical sketch of Barton Warren Stone, an early American advocate of the Restoration Movement, describes and interprets some of the innate and environmental factors that must have been to a large measure responsible for his leadership of what has been called the largest indigenous American religious movement. It details some of the…

This collection of essays on the campus ministry attempts to stimulate interest in developing an efficacious, contemporary role for religion in campus life. An introduction by Clement W. Welch states the place and relationship of the church in the academic community. A section of descriptive essays follows. John J. Kirvan, C.S.P., describes the…

Mary Emil Penet, I.H.M., (1916-2001) used her talents and charisma to shape the first national organization of American women religious, the Sister Formation Conference (SFC; 1954-1964), facilitating the integrated intellectual, spiritual, psychological, and professional development of vowed women religious. In the decade preceding Vatican II, her…

To support faith communities in protecting teenage boys and girls from too-early sexual activity and teen pregnancy, the National Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy's Task Force on Religion and Public Values has compiled these nine tips which summarize a wealth of experience and advice from faith leaders around the country. The members of the Task…

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN) maintain a vibrant presence in ministry in the US. This article presents an overview of their co-foundress, Catherine Spalding, and shows Mother Catherine to be the creative, mission-driven, and articulate leader that is still very much in need in today's society.

The challenge of change in the transition from one spiritual leader to another has two facets: the "letting go" of the departing pastor and the adoption of a new spiritual leader. A Transition Committee of a midsized Episcopal church in rural Washington State has used the Rogers 1962 Adoption Model to develop an intentional plan to influence the…

Since the advent of cable television in the early seventies, the success of television evangelists including Oral Roberts, Jim Bakker, Robert Schuller, and Jimmy Swaggart has grown, both in terms of finances and in conversion of souls. Although many television preachers use similar strategies for getting donations, their backgrounds and messages…