Bruce Epperly

Late in 2012 Energion Publications released Dr. Bruce Epperly’s book Healing Marks, which brings the healing stories of Jesus into focus for present day ministry. In April we plan to release Unfettered Spirit: Spiritual Gifts for the New Great Awakening by Dr. Robert D. Cornwall. Finally, in June, we will release Transforming Acts: Acts of the Apostles as a 21^st Century Gospel, also by Dr. Bruce Epperly. This book is not yet even in our retail catalog, but you can see the description on our list of forthcoming books.

In his challenging foreword to Unfettered Spirit, Dr. Bruce Epperly says:

… Do we need to hold a “rummage sale,” as Phyllis Tickle asserts, to get rid of another unnecessary and outmoded doctrines and practices?

At the heart of this potential great awakening is the recovery of the experience and embody of the gifts of the Spirit within the church. Bob Cornwall sees the future of the church as involving awakening to God’s Spirit. Cornwall images a spirit-empowered church that is sensitive to God’s gifts in personal and community life. A spirit-empowered church expects great things from and this expectation leads to expecting great things from ourselves and our communities. The church has too often “played small” and expected to little from itself and God when Jesus challenges us to do greater things. If we ask and knock, we will experience life-changing and mission-inspiring surprises. Cornwall’s project involves an adventure of the Spirit which gives life to the description of the body of Christ as an interdependent and gifted community of faith. (emphasis mine)

So what is this package all about?

One of the questions I hear over and over again when I visit or teach in various mainline churches is this: How do we bring some life to this church? It’s a good question. In many cases churches are just existing, slowly dying as they become more and more irrelevant to their communities.

Both Bruce Epperly and Bob Cornwall have found some real guidance in the pages of Scripture. They see a challenge to bring the gospel message to life even in a pluralistic, postmodern  society. They both have practiced what they’re preaching in these books, and they bring you strong new ideas. This is biblically rooted theology brought to practical application.

Each of these books will be of great benefit. Together, they can give you the tools to discern what God is trying to do in your church and community and to find the guidance you need to take action.

So until Transforming Acts ships in June, I’m making a special offer. Order the package of all three books, and I’ll ship you Healing Marks right away. Then I’ll ship you the other two as they appear. I’ll do all of this for just $29.99 including shipping. That’s better than 30% off. Once Unfettered Spirit ships in April, we’ll continue the discount at 20% off, then when Transforming Acts is released in June, this package will sell for $39.99 or 10% off the cover price of the three books.

So order your package today. To get this offer, order it from this page, not from the individual book pages. We’ll ship you all three books as they’re released.

(This package includes books on pre-order. Please read our pre-order policies. If you prefer not to make a pre-paid pre-order, you can e-mail us and ask to be notified when each book is released. Our books generally are available for pre-order on Amazon.com as well.)

This book is available for pre-order. Release is scheduled for October 29, 2012.

Bruce Epperly calls Healing Marks a “very personal book” as it comes from over thirty years of experiencing the healing stories of Jesus. From his early years as a young college professor, he sought to make sense of the growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine. For seventeen years, Bruce was a chaplain and professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and was among the first to teach courses on spirituality and medicine at a major medical school. While embracing Jesus’ healing ministry as a pastor, professor, reiki teacher, and spiritual guide, he has also wrestled with the meaning of Jesus’ healing ministry and God’s role in healing and sickness in a personal way as a pastor, friend, child, spouse, and parent, in hospital rooms, hospices, gravesides, and healing services. “I have heard testimonies about the power of God to cure illness, but I have also sat at the bedside of dying friends and congregants, who have done everything right, according to the principles of their faith traditions and philosophies — personal and intercessory prayers, positive thinking and affirmations, meditation and diet, complementary medical treatments, and visits to faith healers and energy workers — along with the best modern medicine has to offer in treatment and palliation,” says Bruce.

Each chapter includes a spiritual practice related to the healing story being considered that is easily shaped for the reader’s personal and spiritual needs. Rev. Epperly also includes questions and spiritual practices for group study and spiritual formation at the end of the book. Chapter titles include Transforming Faith, Forgiveness and Healing, Healing Takes Time, Healing Broken Spirits, A Healing Lifestyle, Healing in a Pluralistic Age, and God, Why am I Sick?.

Philippians: A Participatory Study Guide is the sixth volume in the Participatory Study Series. From beginning to end, the student is invited to absorb the text and allow God’s message to change her or his life. At the same time, it maintains the series standard of providing a guide that takes account of current biblical scholarship and helps the student examine the text critically while also listening to and being guided by the Holy Spirit.

This guide contains eight lessons suitable for use by an individual student, but best used in a small group. The lessons are clearly written so that a laity-led class or small group can use them to advantage. In addition, there is a guide to using the book that provides insights into Bible study in general, and two appendices, one outlining the process of Bible study and one listing and describing useful resources.

Each lesson includes prayers, spiritual exercises, thought questions, and theological reflection. These are designed to help students learn to see the text in a new way and to realize their full potential through the power of the Holy Spirit. This book will not only impact your knowledge of scripture; it will change the way you pray, live, witness, and relate to your community of faith and the world.

Energion Publications catalog page

This package includes all volumes to date.

Learning and Living Scripture – Geoffrey Lentz & Henry E. Neufeld ($12.99) A pastor and a teacher team up to present the Participatory Bible Study Method, an approach to Bible study that is rooted in the conviction that God can and will speak to us in scripture.

The Gospel According to St. Luke – Geoffrey Lentz ($8.99) This study guide gives the seeker historical insight and a fresh look into the Jesus Christ that Luke sought and recorded. Rev. Lentz brings his love of Church history and great thought-provoking questions into a user friendly layout that promotes lively discussions and deep-rooted growth in a group study.

Ephesians: A Participatory Study Guide – Robert D. Cornwall ($9.99)Following the outlines of the Participatory Study Method, here is a usable and challenging guide that does not skirt the difficult issues. Setting a foundation in history and background, Dr. Cornwall brings the letter into modern application and sharing in corporate study and worship.

Philippians: A Participatory Study Guide – Bruce G. Epperly (9.99) From beginning to end, the student is invited to absorb the text and allow God’s message to change her or his life. At the same time, it maintains the series standard of providing a guide that takes account of current biblical scholarship and helps the student examine the text critically while also listening to and being guided by the Holy Spirit. Each lesson includes prayers, spiritual exercises, thought questions, and theological reflection.

To the Hebrews: A Participatory Study Guide – Henry E. Neufeld ($9.99) This study guide to the book of Hebrews is designed for individual or small group studies. Its 13 lessons are ideal for Sunday School classes, small study or prayer groups and Wednesday evening studies.

Revelation: A Participatory Study Guide – Henry E. Neufeld ($9.99) This study exams different approaches to the book of Revelation. There are references to study Bibles and standard reference materials and emphasizes spiritual application-even if you may have problems agreeing on prophetic interpretation, you can share many spiritual lessons.