Coordinator for Educational Resources

Phone

585-242-0099

Address

1190 Winton Rd S
Rochester, NY 14618-2244 [ map ]

Summer Hours Jun 21–Sep 2

Staffed Mon–Thu, 9:30am–3:30pm
Open for self-service during Presbytery Office hours

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 March and April 2010

BK BB2 007 MARK’S GOSPEL FROM SCRATCH: THE NEW TESTAMENT FOR BEGINNERS Authors: Donald Griggs, Charles Myers Jr: With this expansion of the Bible From Scratch series, the authors offer the lay reader an opportunity to build on the foundation of broad knowledge. A leader’s guide and participant section are included, making an excellent resource for group or individual study. Reserve this item
CU BB5 001 JOURNEYS THROUGH REVELATION: APOCALYPTIC HOPE FOR TODAY Author: Barbara R. Rossing: 2010–2011 Horizons Bible Study. In recent years, an enormous prophecy industry has marketed frightening images and interpretations of the book of Revelations, leaving many Christians intimidated by this often misunderstood book. The author leads us to a renewed creation in which God comes to live with us on earth. This hope-filled vision speaks to us in the midst of the urgent crises of our day. Reserve this item
BK CCX 003 CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE: IMPROVING YOUR CQ TO ENGAGE OUR MULTICULTURAL WORLD Author: David A. Livermore: Packed with assessment tools, simulations, case studies, and exercises, Cultural Intelligence will help transform individuals and organizations into effective intercultural communicators of the gospel. While most works on cross-cultural ministry seek to teach their readers about other cultures they may encounter, Livermore’s book contends that preparation for cross-cultural ministry depends on an inward investigation and transformation. Reserve this item
BK CA4 005 PASTORAL SEARCH JOURNEY, THE: A GUIDE TO FINDING YOUR NEXT PASTOR Author: John Vonhof: The Pastoral Search Journey is one of the most inclusive books on this topic. It contains a wealth of information that every search committee needs to know as they fulfill the search; it is written in a plain and precise language that any reader would be able to understand; and it is full of resources, surveys, and examples of how to discover who your next pastor should be. Reserve this item
BK CF5 046 LIFELONG CALL TO LEARN, A: CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS Editors: Robert E. Reber and D. Bruce Roberts: In this revised and expanded version, A Lifelong Call to Learn features essays by 18 of the most innovative thinkers in the field of continuing education for religious leaders. Professors, psychologists, sociologists, coaches, consultants, pastors, rabbis, seminary deans, and directors of continuing education, these writers share their expertise and insights, research findings and vision for the future of continuing education. Reserve this item
BK CF5 047 TEACHING OUR STORY: NARRATIVE LEADERSHIP AND PASTORAL FORMATION Editor: Larry A. Golemon: As congregations become intentional story-forming communities, they can shape the lives of millions of generative, faithful, and civic-minded adults. To do so, a framework that relates narrative work to the full range of congregational life is needed. This book offers such a framework, featuring essays that examine crucial shapers of narrative, integrating stories from communities with biblical stories, personal stories, and theological doctrines formed within the story of their own traditions. Reserve this item
BK CFX 062 FINDING OUR STORY: NARRATIVE LEADERSHIP AND CONGREGATIONAL CHANGE Editor: Larry A. Golemon: Helping a community of faith “re-vision” its personal and collective narratives is one of the greatest leadership challenges of the age. Finding Our Story assembles essays by congregational consultants who use the power of story to help congregations heal, strengthen, and reinvent themselves. These consultants describe how narrative therapy works, explore its promise and its challenges, and share the practical wisdom of their own experiences. Reserve this item
BK CFX 063 LIVING OUR STORY: NARRATIVE LEADERSHIP AND CONGREGATIONAL CULTURE Editor: Larry A. Golemon: Living Our Story explores how good narrative work—the retrieval, construction, and performance of valued stories—takes place in ministry. Through the stories they themselves tell, the authors show how stories witness to God’s presence in the unfolding of human life, and how the best leaders craft stories that reveal how God is at work among the people and inspire them to become a part of this larger story. Reserve this item
BK ECX 015 HALOS & AVATARS: PLAYING VIDEO GAMES WITH GOD Author: Craig Detweiler: The author’s collection of up-to-the-minute essays on video games’ theological themes (and yes, they do exist) is an engaging and provocative book for gamers, parents, pastors, media scholars, and theologians—virtually anyone who has dared to consider the ramifications of modern society’s obsession with video games and online media. Together, these essays take on an exploding genre in popular culture and interpret it through a refreshing and enlightening theological lens. Reserve this item
BK GH2 033 ON OUR WAY: CHRISTIAN PRACTICES FOR LIVING A WHOLE LIFE Author: Dorothy C. Bass: Written for emerging adults, this book explores twelve practices particularly applicable to persons in their twenties: Study, Discerning God’s Call, Living as Community, Friendship and Intimacy, Making a Good Living, Care for Creation, Honoring the Body, Singing Our Lives to God, Knowing and Loving Our Neighbors of Other Faiths, Peacemaking and Nonviolence, Doing Justice, and Living in the Presence of God. Reserve this item
CU GHX 001 UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL GIFTS Author: Mary Lou Redding: Most Christians have a desire to find their spiritual gifts and to know what kind of life and mission God is calling them to. This seven-week study helps individuals and small groups explore spiritual gifts using selected passages from the Bible. In addition to completing a self-scored gifts inventory, participants will reflect on their interests, preferences, and talents. Reserve this item
DV GJ5 041 LIQUID: THE TEN 6–10: In the dramatic conclusion to the stories and characters from The Ten: 1–5, this DVD looks at murder, adultery, theft, lies and desire through the lens of today. We see the dire consequences of choosing to ignore God’s Commandments, but more importantly, we see the power of God’s enduring love through the journey of redemption. Reserve this item
BK GJX 018 SOULS IN TRANSITION: THE RELIGIOUS & SPIRITUAL LIVES OF EMERGING ADULTS Author: Christian Smith: Based on candid interviews with thousands of young people. Reveals how the religious practices of teenagers have been strengthened, challenged, and often changed as they have moved into adulthood. The book vividly describes as well the broader cultural world of today’s emerging adults, how that culture shapes their religious outlooks, and what the consequences are for religious faith and practice in America in general. Reserve this item
BK HEX 001 BORN OF WATER, BORN OF SPIRIT: SUPPORTING THE MINISTRY OF THE BAPTIZED Authors: Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook, Fredrica Harris Thompsett: The authors argue that just because a community cannot pay a seminary-trained minister, a growing problem in remote regions, it does not mean that there is no ministry there. It does mean that we need to look at ministry and the church in a more expansive way. The stories of the congregations revealed in this book serve to inspire us about what is possible when we live intentionally as the reconciling presence of the body of Christ in the world. Reserve this item
BK HXX 028 HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO EVANGELISM Author: Bill Tenney-Brittian: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Evangelism is a handbook for worn-out Christians. Believers who are fully aware they’ll never be bold enough or smart enough to be real evangelists. Nevertheless, like salmon swimming upstream they continue searching for something that will help them find a way to connect with the people Jesus misses most—the people formerly known as lost. Reserve this item
CU BB2 001 AMAZING BIBLE RACE: GOSPELS & THE EARLY CHURCH: MATTHEW–ACTS: The Amazing Bible Race is a Web-based “read-through-the-Bible” program, broken into six 12-week legs (volumes), that ensures participation and excitement among your group. Your youth and adult volunteers will embark on a scavenger hunt through the Bible, learning the ancient stories of our faith, seeing the connections between Bible figures and their stories, discovering the real struggles of what it means to be faithful. Reserve this item
BK EAX 006 WEB-EMPOWER YOUR CHURCH: UNLEASHING THE POWER OF INTERNET MINISTRY Author: Mark M. Stephenson: A great church website is more about ministry than technology. This book offers step-by-step guidance to those who are on the exciting journey to building an effective web ministry. The author offers first-hand advice on every aspect of building an internet ministry: from assembling a team of designing and maintaining the website to adding powerful ministry features. With accompanying CD. Reserve this item
BK GEX 012 CELEBRATING THE MILESTONES OF FAITH: A GUIDE FOR CHURCHES Authors: Laura & Robert Keeley: All of us can point to important events that act as “milestones” in our lives. As God’s family we need to pause at important moments to celebrate God’s goodness to us. One of the best ways to do that is by taking time to mark the faith milestones in each other’s lives. This resource will help your church build a strong faith milestones ministry that will be a blessing to people of all ages. Reserve this item
DV GJ5 040 EVERYTHING IS SPIRITUAL Author: Rob Bell: In the Hebrew Scriptures there is no word for “spiritual”. And Jesus never used the phrase “spiritual life”. Because for Jesus and his tradition, all of life is spiritual. So what does it mean? 1 hr 17 mins. Reserve this item
DV GJ5 042 GODS AREN’T ANGRY, THE Author: Rob Bell: Where did the first caveman or cavewoman get the idea that somebody, somewhere existed who needed to be worshiped, appeased, and followed? And how did the idea evolve that if you didn’t say, do, or offer the right things, this being would be upset, agitated, or even angry with you? Recorded on location from Rob Bell’s The Gods Aren’t Angry Tour. 1 hr. 29 minsReserve this item
BK HAX 106 CHANGE THE WORLD: RECOVERING THE MESSAGE & MISSION OF JESUS Author: Michael Slaughter: The author presents seven choices pastors must make as they consider the future of their congregations. Will you focus on building disciples or tallying decisions? Will you multiply your impact or expand your facilities? Will you step out in courage or comply with the status quo? Your answers to these and other questions determine how your church will focus its time, its energy, and its budget to work for real change in a hurting world. Reserve this item
BK HAX 107 NEW KIND OF CHRISTIANITY, A: 10 QUESTIONS THAT ARE TRANSFORMING THE FAITH Author: Brian D. McLaren: We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in the church. Not since the Reformation five centuries ago have so many Christians come together to ask whether the church is in sync with their deepest beliefs and commitments. The author examines 10 questions facing today’s church. Here you will find a provocative and enticing introduction to the Christian faith of tomorrow. Reserve this item
BK HCX 013 HOW TO EMBRACE THE 3 COLORS OF YOUR SPIRITUALITY IN YOUR WORLD Author: Adam Johnstone: This handbook assists church leaders in the implementation of “passionate spirituality” as described in the book, The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality. It relates the principles presented in the book to a five-week growth experience. Also included is a mutual mentoring guide and hints for applying the teaching to a whole church. Reserve this item