'Vital'...pertaining to life; essential; of critical importance. 'Ministry'...the giving of service, care, or aid; the function of the Christian minister or pastor. 'Issues'...a point or matter, the decision of which is of special or public importance. A dictionary can define the terms, but the real issues of ministry are faced each day by pastors, teachers, missionaries, and Christian leaders. 'Vital Ministry Issues' explores a wide range of concerns and conflicts in contemporary ministry, from the nature and responsibilities of the pastoral role to the organization and leadership of the local church. Some of the chapters included in this volume are: The World's Challenge to the Church by John R. W. Stott Priorities for the Local Church by Raymond C. Ortlund The Place of the Small Church in Today's World by Kenneth O. Gangel Court Involvement in Church Discipline by Jay A. Quine Everyone involved in ministry - from the pastor to the lay church leader to the church staff member - will appreciate the insights and focus of 'Vital Ministry Issues'.

'Vital'...pertaining to life; essential; of critical importance. 'Missions'...specific tasks to which a person or group is charged. 'Issues'...a point or matter, the decision of which is of special or public importance. A dictionary can define the terms, but tackling the tough texts and difficult issues of world evangelism requires skillful study and balanced reflection upon the whole of Scripture. 'Vital Missions Issues: Examining Challenges and Changes in World Evangelism' draws upon the insights and study of numerous evangelical scholars and writers to address crucial issues in world missions. Some of the chapters included are: The Destiny of the World and the Work of Missions by Michael Pocock The Fate of Those Who Never Hear by Millard J. Erickson Missions in Cultural Perspective by George W. Peters Missions in a Religiously Pluralistic World by George W. Peters Paul's Corporate Evangelism in the Book of Acts by George W. Murray Church leaders, missionaries, and evangelists will appreciate the helpful scholarship of 'Vital Missions Issues'.

Vital . . . pertaining to life; essential; of critical importance. Church . . . a body or organization of religious believers. Issues . . . a point or matter, the decision of which is of special or public importance. A dictionary can define the terms, but tackling the tough texts and difficult issues of church leadership requires skillful study and balanced reflection upon the whole of Scripture. Vital Church Issues: Examining Principles and Practices in Church Leadership draws upon the insights and study of numerous evangelical scholars and writers to address crucial issues in church leadership. Some of the chapters included are: Personal Challenges for 21st-Century Pastors by Leith Anderson The 'Laying on of Hands' of Elders by David A. Mappes Can Fallen Leaders Be Restored to Leadership? by Jay E. Smith Assimilating New Converts into the Local Church by R. Larry Moyer Confidentiality in Counseling Individuals with HIV/AIDS by Jay A. Quine Pastors, laypeople, and seminary students will appreciate the helpful scholarship of Vital Church Issues.

Vital . . . pertaining to life; essential; of critical importance. Prophetic . . . relating the inspired declaration of God's will and purpose. Issues . . . a point or matter, the decision of which is of special or public importance. A dictionary can define the terms, but rightly dividing the prophetic passages of the Bible demands skillful study and balanced reflection upon the whole of Scripture. Vital Prophetic Issues: Examining Promises and Problems in Eschatology draws upon the insights and study of numerous evangelical scholars and writers to address a variety of issues in the field of eschatology. Some of the chapters included are Basic Considerations in Interpreting Prophecy by John F. Walvoord The Premillennial Interpretation of History by Ramesh P. Richard The Necessity of Dispensationalism by Charles C. Ryrie A New Look at Dispensationalism by Roy L. Aldrich Christian readers, church leaders, and pastors will appreciate the helpful scholarship of Vital Prophetic Issues.

Vital . . . pertaining to life; essential; of critical importance. Theological . . . pertaining to the study of God, of His nature and will. Issues . . . a point or matter, the decision of which is of special or public importance. A dictionary can define the terms, but the tough questions faced by pastors, teachers, missionaries, and Christian leaders are the real test of one's theological understanding. Vital Theological Issues: Examining Enduring Issues of Theology draws upon the insights and study of leading evangelical scholars and writers to address enduring theological questions. Included are articles by Lewis Sperry Chafer, J. Ronald Blue, John F. Walvoord, Charles C. Ryrie, and Roy B. Zuck. Some of the issues discussed in this volume include: If God is in control, why should I pray? What difference does it make that Jesus was sinless? Can a person be saved who has never heard of Jesus? Has Lordship salvation really been taught throughout Christian history? Christian readers, church leaders, and pastors alike will appreciate the practical insights and spiritual focus of Vital Theological Issues.

The Vital Issues Series draws upon the insights and study of numerous evangelical scholars and writers to address the practical questions and issues of contemporary life. Chosen from past issues of Bibliotheca Sacra, these volumes address questions faced by every believer who sincerely desires to please God and to be more Christlike.

Vital New Testament Issues Vital . . . pertaining to life; essential; of critical importance. New Testament . . . the covenant of God with man embodied in the coming of Christ, his teachings, and that of his followers as set forth in the Bible. Issues . . . a point or matter, the decision of which is of special or public importance. A dicitionary can define the terms, but tackling the tough texts and difficult issues of Old Testament studies requires skillful study and balanced reflection upon the whole of Scripture. Vital New Testament Issues: Examining New Testament Passages and Problems draws upon the insights and study of numerous evangelical scholars and writers to address crucial interpretative questions. Some of the chapters included are The End of the Law by Charles C. Ryrie Tongues and the Mystery Religions of Corinth by H. Wayne House Do the Synoptics Depend on Each Other? by Charles H. Dyer Christian readers, church leaders, and pastors will appreciate the helpful scholarship of Vital New Testament Issues.