Books published by publisher SPCK

‘Every time he wanted me to do something, he would quote scripture... I couldn’t argue with scripture, it was like arguing with God.’The term ‘spiritual abuse’ is widely used across the Christian community. But what is it? Sometimes spiritual abuse involves leaders misusing their position, but ministers can also be the victims. Common factors include control through misuse of scripture, claims to divine authority, pressure to conform, and enforced accountability. Individuals may be isolated, and compelled to secrecy and silence. Drawing on a combination of extensive research, individual testimonies, and years of hands-on experience, Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys describe clearly the nature of spiritual abuse, and the best ways of countering it. Recovery is possible.But – how do we prevent spiritual abuse in the first place? What can leaders do to create safer places? Is there a link between theological ideas and harmful behaviours? How can leaders create opportunities for spiritual and emotional flourishing?Dr Lisa Oakley has researched spiritual abuse in the Christian faith in the UK since 2003. Justin Humphreys is chief executive of the safeguarding charity thirtyone: eight.

The Sleepy Shepherd is so dozy he completely misses the visit of the angels . . . and the chance to greet the Christ-child in Bethlehem. But one crucial night, years later, he makes an important decision―to be a real shepherd to a man whose friends have all fallen asleep . . . This beautifully illustrated children's book weaves together the Christmas and Easter stories in an unexpected and unforgettable way.

Containing 188 Best-Loved Bible Stories To Enjoy Together Discover the big story of the Bible from Creation to Revelation, told especially for young children. Perfect for use at home, at school, and in groups, this refreshed and updated edition of the bestselling The Big Bible Storybook brings over 180 stories to life on every page with the much-loved Bible Friends characters. Come and share in the wonder of God's good news!

Though the Christmas story is well known, most of us have learnt it from school nativity plays and carols. On the whole, this familiar version is more concerned with light than darkness. The backwards approach taken here allows the movement to be in the opposite direction, enabling us to get under the skin of a complex narrative. We begin by seeing through the eyes of Anna, the prophetess; followed by Rachel, who weeps for her children; King Herod; Casper, a wise men; David, a shepherd; Martha, the (so-named) innkeeper's wife; Joseph; Elizabeth; Mary; Isaiah and, finally, Moses. Each imaginative reflection is prefaced by a Bible reading and followed by a prayer.

This book is based on a blog run by Revd Miranda Threlfall-Holmes and her teenage son, Noah, www.TeenagePrayerExperiment.blogspot.co.uk. Miranda and Noah developed the blog and book as they could find nothing on the market to introduce teenagers to different ways of praying. Each chapter of the book introduces a prayer practice, eg using labyrinths, Lego Bible modelling, prayer beads, prayer walking. It also includes comments by teenagers who have tried it out and space for the young person to record their own thoughts.

The voyage of the ‘Pilgrim Fathers’ from Plymouth, England, and their settlement in Plymouth, New England, is iconic. Unfortunately. Why unfortunately? Because icons both simplify and glamorise. The Mayflower story is a gilded myth, a historical episode seen through the distorting lens of nationalism. Of all the accounts of New World colonisation in the 16th/17th centuries this is the one that has come to typify those qualities today’s US citizens admire and believe their nation stands for. And yet the 102 men, women and children who made that journey in the autumn of 1620 would not have recognised themselves in the heroes and heroines portrayed in films and romantic novels over the last century or so. Derek Wilson strips away the over-painting from the icon in order to discover what motivated the Pilgrim ‘Fathers’ (a term not invented until 1840), and to explain them against the background of the age in which they lived. He does this by exploring a series of probing questions, each of which narrows the focus until the travellers on the storm-tossed Mayflower stand before us clearly delineated.

In today's world, youth are growing up in a society where social media is an integral part of their sense of self. But what are the repercussions of this, and how can we teach young girls where their true worth and identity is found? Jessie Faerber sets out to put the record straight and redefine how girls see themselves. Highlighting the pervasiveness of selfies, the distortion of beauty on social media, and the chase after perfectionism, she offers hope amidst the pressures of internet perfection and reaffirms our identity as God's masterpiece: original, exquisite, and of infinite value.

In Falling Upward (and in many of his other teachings), Richard Rohr talks at length about ego (or the False Self) and how it gets in the way of spiritual maturity, especially if its preoccupations continue into the second half of life. But if there's a False Self, is there also a True Self? What is it? How is it found? Why does it matter? And what does it have to do with the spiritual journey? In his new book, the author likens True Self to a diamond, buried deep within us, formed under the intense pressure of our lives and needing to be searched for, uncovered, and separated from all the debris of ego that surrounds it. In a sense True Self must, like Jesus, be resurrected, and that process involves not resuscitation but transformation.

Internationally acclaimed storyteller and best-selling children's author Bob Hartman re-tells classic Bible stories in rhyme. Featuring popular tales from the Old and New Testaments, this is an ideal book for a parent to read with a child or for use in any storytelling setting with young children. Bob Hartman's fresh take on these well-loved stories are a joy to read aloud with any child, and also lend themselves to be used in any storytelling setting with children (toddler groups and all-age services).

At last! A new book by our most popular theologian written for anyone interested in popular theology - whether believer, agnostic or atheist. Confronts head-on the most common objections to belief Compelling answers to FAQs about the gospel: Why is it 'good news'? Who did Jesus think he was? And who is 'God', anyway? Written by a world-renowned scholar and communicator, hailed by Newsweek as 'the world's leading New Testament scholar' Ideal for all who want to reaffirm their faith, as well as finding more convincing ways of commending it to others The Gospel means good news, but what makes it news? If the message has been around for 2,000 years, what could possibly be newsworthy about it? And what makes it good? Surely not the stories we hear of damnation, violence, and an angry God. Tom Wright believes many Christians have lost sight of what the 'good news' of the gospel really is. In Simply Good News, he shows how a first-century audience would have received the gospel message, what the 'good news' means for us today and how it can transform our lives.

The voyage of the 'Pilgrim Father' from Plymouth, England, and their settlement in Plymouth, New England, is iconic. Unfortunately. Why unfortunately? Because icons both simplify and glamorize. The Mayflower story is a gilded myth, a historical episode seen through the distorting lens of nationalism. Of all the accounts of New World colonization in the 16th/17th centuries this is the one that has come to typify those qualities today's US citizens admire and believe their nation stands for. The 102 men, women and children who made that journey in the autumn of 1620 would not have recognized themselves in the heroes and heroines portrayed in films and romantic novels over the last century or so. In Mayflower Pilgrims Derek Wilson strips away the over-painting from the icon in order to discover who the Pilgrim 'Fathers’ (a term not invented until 1840) were, and to explain them against the background of the age in which they lived. He does this by exploring a series of probing questions, each of which narrows the focus until the travelers on the storm-tossed Mayflower stand before us clearly delineated.