Coordinator for Educational Resources

Phone: 585-242-0099
Address: 1190 Winton Rd S
Rochester, NY 14618-2244 [ map ]
Hours: Mon & Thu: 9am–3pm
Tue: 1pm–6pm
Wed & Fri: 9am–Noon

The Resource Center is always open for self-service when the Presbytery Office is open. You may return items 24-hours-a-day using the drop-box in the door facing Winton Rd.

Using the Resource Center

Come in person (we’re on the second floor of the Presbytery Office)
Call, write or email to request resources to be mailed
Please reserve material as far in advance as your planning allows
Borrow any number of resources for up to three weeks
Visit the Resource Table at Stated Meetings and special events of the Presbytery to borrow display materials, pick-up resources or return borrowed resources

Lending Policies

Lending is open to all interested individuals or organizations. There is no usage fee charged for borrowing resources.
All materials, excluding equipment, are due three weeks from when they are borrowed. If you intend to use the material for an extended time, please reflect this information on the sign-out card. If possible, give a specific time when you expect to return the material.
If resources become more than six weeks overdue, you will be sent a postcard to remind you to return the overdue resources. If a resource has been lost, please contact the Resource Center immediately. If resources are lost or not returned after several reminders have been sent, you will be billed for their replacement.
If you wish to pass along a resource, contact the Resource Center first! Remember, resources checked out in your name are your responsibility.
If you plan on making a donation of new or used books, kindly consult with the coordinator prior to the purchase or delivery of materials.
If you are interested in purchasing a resource for personal use, please call or email the Resource Center for purchasing information.
If you wish a resource to be shipped to you, you will not be charged shipping and/or handling. Borrowers are always responsible, however, for the cost of return shipping.
Printable version of Lending Policy

Resource Center
Equipping You for Ministry!

New at the Resource Center
Items received in November and December 2007

BK DB2 014 CLEARING SEASON, A: REFLECTIONS FOR LENT Author: Sarah Parsons: If you have never observed Lenten practices or have experienced Lent as a long, seemingly purposeless time of self-denial, consider this: A Clearing Season shows you how to: clear space in your life for God; identity obstacles that keep you from God; and choose a Lenten practice to help remove these obstructions. Welcome the Lenten season as an opportunity to clarify your relationship with God. Reserve this item
BK DB2 031 FORWARD TO FREEDOM: FROM EXODUS TO EASTER Author: David Adam: The author helps us to see ourselves in the Bible, and most specifically in the life of Moses in the book of Exodus. In a series of forty meditations, one for each day of Lent, the author shows the relevance of Exodus for our own times. Moses’ story inspires us to launch out into new adventures, freeing others and ourselves from slavery and seeking God’s Promised Land. Reserve this item
BK GEX 002 HELPING OUR CHILDREN GROW IN FAITH: HOW THE CHURCH CAN NURTURE THE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OF KIDS Author: Robert J. Keeley: Six principles for fostering the kind of three-dimensional faith that affects a child’s head, heart, and spirit. Glean from both theory and theology to explore how to: make your children’s ministry effective; distinguish between building faith and teaching morals; tailor your teaching to children’s developmental levels; give children a faith foundation that stands through doubts and questions; and balance age-specific programs with the full life of the church. Reserve this item
BK GH2 023 FASTING: SPIRITUAL FREEDOM BEYOND OUR APPETITES Author: Lynne M. Baab: It is easy in this world of fast food, fast living, and fast spirituality to forget that we are holistic creations who need to cease from our striving and spend some time fasting from the things that keep us enslaved. Lynne Baab has created a book that can help us explore our appetites, discover the history behind “the fast”, and learn how to abstain and see God. Reserve this item
BK GHX 012 LONGING FOR ENOUGH IN A CULTURE OF MORE Author: Paul L. Escamilla: This collection of thought-provoking essays explores the importance of escaping the lifestyle and attitudes of a “weighed-sown” world and provides valuable tools for doing so. Each meditation is followed by a series of questions for reflection or study. Reserve this item
BK GHX 018 STARTING SIMPLE: CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE WAY WE LIVE Author: Bob Sitze: Social justice starts with our own lives and our relationships with each other. The author shows how we can create change by becoming better stewards of our lives. He offers us as Christians a multitude of creative ideas for finding and living what’s truly important. This practical book includes side trips filled with thoughtful quotes, short stories, and activities. Reserve this item
DV GJ5 024 NOOMA 018: NAME Author: Rob Bell: Some of us have let the expectations of others dictate who we’ve become. Why are we so concerned with what other people think, say, or look like? What does it say about us if we are unable to accept who we are? Maybe if we really knew our true selves, we wouldn’t give so much attention to other people’s lives and live more in tune with the life God wants for us. Reserve this item
CU GKX 008 CLEAN WATER FOR ALL GOD’S CHILDREN: VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM Author: Doug Bixby: Designed to enable children to understand the importance of clean water for health, and to show them ways to share in the mission of taking clean water to all the children of the world. It demonstrates the relationship between health and water, teaches the value of water in our lives, and raises awareness of the world’s great need for clean water. Reserve this item
BK HAX 088 CHOOSING THE KINGDOM: MISSIONAL PREACHING FOR THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD Author: John Addison Dally: Choosing the Kingdom is both a work of theology and a how-to guide for preachers who want to rethink both the form and the content of their preaching to move a congregation from maintenance to mission. It offers concrete suggestions for a reconception of preaching for those whose imaginations have already been captured by the possibilities inherent in a missional identity. Reserve this item
BK HAX 087 HOLY PLACES: MATCHING SACRED SPACE WITH MISSION AND MESSAGE Authors: Nancy DeMott, Tim Shapiro, Brent Bill: Architectural elements say something about a congregation’s theology and mission. They point to a faith community’s beliefs about worship, identity, purpose and more. Holy Places is designed to be used by congregations that are involved in or are contemplating work on their facilities. No matter how extensive the project, approaching the work with mission at the forefront is the key to having a final result that strengthens the congregation’s ministry. Reserve this item
BK HAX 090 IN DYING WE ARE BORN: THE CHALLENGE AND THE HOPE FOR CONGREGATIONS Author: Peter Bush: The author argues that for new life, energy, and passion to arise in congregations, they must die—die to one way of being the church in order that a new way may rise. He examines the role of the prophetic leader, who proclaims both the congregation’s death and its resurrection. He explores spiritual practices and the habits of wonder and risk-taking. Only by dying, Bush says, will a congregation find resurrection life, given by God. Reserve this item
BK HAX 089 RENEW YOUR CONGREGATION: HEALING THE SICK, RAISING THE DEAD Author: William T. McConnell: A practical resource for church leaders. The author has a great sense of humor that makes the book a pleasure to read and extremely helpful in understanding the spiritual journey of revitalizing a congregation. This book gives the insights and wisdom of an experienced pastor to help your church face the exciting challenge of transforming your church. Reserve this item
BK HXX 004 CHURCH ON THE EDGE OF SOMEHWERE: MINISTRY, MARGINALITY AND THE FUTURE Author: George B. Thompson Jr.: The author envisions a deeper, more prophetic call for congregations: a church on the “edge of somewhere”, one that is deeply engaged in ministering to the community while calling on others to commit to doing the same. Knowing where they stand now is the key for congregations to discover where they must go in the future to fully live out their call to be God’s people in the world. Reserve this item
BK LCX 004 GET REAL: A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY FOR MEN Author: Derek Maul: A series of essays on male spirituality arranged by such themes as desire, discipleship, devotion and daring. The author wants Christian men to break out of mediocrity and live more inspired lives. He believes that “spiritual growth or faith formation—our deliberate progress as Christians living out our day-to-day lives—is the ultimate exercise in ‘keeping it real’”. Reserve this item
BK PBX 001 TOKENS OF TRUST: AN INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN BELIEF Author: Rowan Williams: Engaging the classic statements of the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams guides readers through the central elements of Christian faith. Williams demonstrates that each of the basic tenets of Christian faith flows from one fundamental belief: that God is completely worthy of our trust. Reserve this item
BK PDX 005 PREACHING ETHICALLY: BEING TRUE TO THE GOSPEL, YOUR CONGREGATION & YOU Author: Ronald D. Sisk: How do clergy preach to meet the legitimate needs of their congregation and live up to standards of professionalism and personal integrity? Preaching Ethically offers guidelines for preaching in light of a range of factors that might tempt a preacher to misuse the pulpit. Reserve this item
BK PDX 002 WHEN GOD SPEAKS THROUGH YOU: HOW FAITH CONVICTIONS SHAPE PREACHING Author: Craig A. Satterlee: “Holy and active listening” means listening openly and attentively to one another with the expectation that God will speak in and through the conversation. The author helps preachers and their congregations learn to listen to one another with such grace. Creating discussion groups about preaching prepares congregations for broader conversation about how people’s faith convictions shape both their lives and the congregation’s worship, life together and mission. Reserve this item
BK PE4 006 REFORMED HANDBOOK, THE: Following Jesus is hard enough without having to navigate the rocky terrain of church culture all by yourself. The Reformed Handbook is the indispensable companion for anyone trying to become a well-informed churchgoer and have a good chuckle along the way. Reserve this item
BK PXX 006 ORIGINS: A REFORMED LOOK AT CREATION, DESIGN & EVOLUTION Authors: Deborah & Loren Haarsma: Origins offers helpful guidance for Christians who seek to resolve their differences and come to a deeper, more biblical understanding of the origins of the universe. The authors take a Reformed view, focusing on areas where all Christians agree, while sympathetically presenting the strengths and weaknesses of positions when Christians differ. Reserve this item
BK SAX 025 CHURCH OF ALL AGES: GENERATIONS WORSHIPING TOGETHER Editor: Howard Vanderwall: Nine writers—pastors, teachers, worship planners—offer their reflections on issues congregational leaders need to address as they design their worship ministry. In particular, how can congregations hold the generations together when they worship? The thread that connects these varied contributions is the belief there is no greater privilege for Christians than worshiping God. Reserve this item
BK HXX 009 UNBINDING YOUR CHURCH: PASTOR’S GUIDE TO THE REAL LIFE EVANGELISM SERIES Author: Martha Grace Reese: The Pastor’s Guide will help you lead your congregation through a year of life-changing and church-changing study of prayer and faith sharing. Church leaders should first study Unbinding the Gospel (the church leaders’ study) then use Unbinding Your Heart for the whole congregation. Worship resources include: Seven inspiring sermons you can adapt or adopt; short Bible teaching on texts; children’s activities, prayers and complete coordinated music plans. Reserve this item
BK HXX 005 UNBINDING YOUR HEART: 40 DAYS OF PRAYER & FAITH SHARING Author: Martha Grace Reese: Unbinding Your Heart is a six-week individual and small-group study for your entire congregation. It is the culmination of the Real Life Evangelism Series. Church leaders should first study Unbinding the Gospel (the church leaders’ study). Then use Unbinding Your Heart as a study and devotional for the whole congregation (for fall, lent or summer). Your entire congregation will begin to pray, to talk about their faith, and to risk sharing their faith beyond church walls. Reserve this item
BK CF5 007 COURAGEOUS CHURCH LEADERSHIP: CONVERSATIONS WITH EFFECTIVE PRACTITIONERS Author: John P. Chandler: Pastors of some of America’s most exciting churches tell their secrets for leading churches-on-the-grow. Great leadership hinges primarily on one thing—finding the courage to be yourself. The author uncovers the stories of some who found that courage and became remarkable leaders. Including: Fred Craddock, Brian McLaren, Michael Slaughter Reserve this item
BK CFX 004 IF THIS IS THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS: SCIENCE, CONGREGATIONS, AND LEADERSHIP Author: William O. Avery; Beth Ann Gaede editors: The authors explore five principles of science that suggest an alternative way to view congregational mission and leadership: openness to new information, complexity, diversity, interrelatedness, and process. Their premise is that when faith communities align themselves with the way the God’s world works, they more faithfully carry out their vocations as witnesses to God’s reconciling work and as servants to one another. Reserve this item
BK DB2 017 WORSHIP FEAST: COMPLETE WORSHIP OUTLINES FOR LENT & EASTER Authors: Mike Baughman & Jenny Youngman: Within these pages are worship outlines that will take you on a journey of submission. Youth will submit their devotion, their bodies, their voices, their surprise. Some services include prayer stations; others include creative expression, storytelling or silence. A CD of five original Lent-themed songs for your group to learn and sing is included. Reserve this item
BK EAX 005 BLOGGING CHURCH, THE: SHARING THE STORY OF YOUR CHURCH THROUGH BLOGS Author: Brian Bailey: The Blogging Church offers church leaders a field manual for using the social phenomenon of blogs to connect people and build communities in a whole new way. Inside you will find the why, what, and how of blogging in the local church. Filled with illustrative examples and practical advice. Reserve this item