This is a tremendous book for those interested in Christian counseling. I already own one; I'm buying another for my father who is a pastoral counselor. I am currently a counseling graduate student at John Brown University and the variety of subject material that this book covers is simply amazing. It is by far my favorite counseling book, and I have read dozens. It does not knock science, as unfortunately some Christian counseling theorists do. It recognizes scientific truths, while remaining true to the Bible.

From the physical basis to counseling modalities, this is the obvious textbook of choice for schools desiring to teach psychology from a Christian viewpoint. This is great for upper division high school or a general course for college students.

Table of Contents

Preface 1. Introduction to Psychology 2. The Biological Basis of Behavior 3. Sensation and Preception 4. Emotions 5. Motivation 6. Learning 7. Memory, Cognition, and Self-Esteem 8. Intelligence 9. Social Psychology 10. Child Development 11. Adolescent and Adult Development 12. Personality 13. The Psychology of Religion 14. Abnormal Psychology 15. Psychotherapy and Personal Counseling 16. Group and Family Counseling Afterword Appendix: Self-Change Projects Glossary Index of Names Index of Subjects

It is unfortunate that this text is temporarily out of print. It is the bex text book on abnormal psychology. Having served as adjucnt associate professor for a state college as well as teaching Bible college, this is the most accurate text that I have seen. Dr. Meyers is a leading expert on depression and children's problems. This book however covers a full gamet of abnormal psychology with unusually astute treatment suggestions. What many people do not realize is that many psychiatrist lack common sense, and good counseling depends on so called common sense, Dr. Meyers and associates display a wisdom that those of us who have been in practice of mental health much appreciate. This would be a very good book for young therapist of any belief system to read and pick up concepts of treatment. Yet, the book is written in a simple style that a college freshman can read and understand. An outstanding piece of work that should not be out of print.

Table of Contents

Preface 1. What is Abnormal? 2. What Causes Psychological Problems? 3. Depression and Extreme Moods 4. Problems with Stress and Adjustment 5. Anxiety Disorders 6. Psychosis 7. Physical Problems 8. Addictions and Impulse Control 9. Sexual Problems 10. Child and Adolescent Disorders 11. Personality Disorders 12. Healing and Preventing Problems Appendixes A: Personality Types in Marriage B: Medications Used in Therapy IndexEND

This is an excellent, well written book. I was first exposed to it several years ago in a Church Leadership Development course I took in college. Of the books in my library this is one to which I refer frequently. It was especially useful in writing a position description for youth counselors at my church. I have used this book numerous times as a reference for recruiting volunteers. I highly recommend it for *anyone* who works with volunteers, be it in Christian Education or not.

Table of Contents

1. What is a Volunteer?--Harold William Burgess 2. Biblical Roots of Volunteerism 3. The Broad Spectrum of Church Volunteerism 4. Religious Education Volunteers are Very Special--James Michael Lee 5. What Needs Can Volunteers Meet? 6. Forming the Goals of the Volunteer Program 7. How Goals Lead to Volunteer Programs 8. Where to Find Volunteers 9. Encouraging Them to Volunteer 10. Screening Prospective Volunteers 11. Getting Commitments from Volunteers 12. Supervising and Orienting Volunteers to the Task 13. Training Volunteers as they Work 14. Evaluating Volunteers' Work 15. Encouraging Volunteer Improvement 16. Short-Term Volunteers 17. Keeping and Motivating Volunteers 18. Encouraging Some Volunteers to Leave 19. Administering the Program 20. Climate and Context of the Volunteer Program 21. Holding Effective Meetings with Volunteers 22. Communicating with Volunteers 23. Solving Volunteer Programs 24. Evaluating the Results of Volunteer Programs 25. Adjusting the Volunteer Program 26. Where is Volunteerism Going? Appendix: Where to Get More Information Index of Names Index of Subjects

"A wonderful book which brings together all that is known about the religious and moral development of preschool children, plus chapters on how educators can do their work effectively. This volume will be the standard guidebook in its field for years to come. It is a must book for leaders of church day care centers, kindergartens, Sunday school and CCD programs for young children, and anyone else who cares about communicating authentic religious faith to preschoolers." --C. Ellis Nelson, Austin Theological Seminary, author of Where Faith Begins.

"This book constitutes a monumental event in contemporary preschool religious education. The research approach this volume takes is needed by all religious educators." --Lucie Barber, author of The Religious Education of Preschool Children.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. The Cognitive Development of Preschoolers--Donald Ratcliff 2. Physical, Language, and Social-Emotional Development--Charlotte Wallinga and Patsy Skeen 3. The Religious Concepts of Preschoolers--Kalevi Tamminen, Renzo Vianello, Jean-Marie Jaspard, and Donald Ratcliff 4. Preschooler Moral Development--Claity P. Massey 5. Faith Development in the Preschool Years--Romney M. Moseley and Ken Brockenbrough 6. Religion and Socialization--Mary Anne Fowlkes 7. How to Teach: Foundations, Processes, Procedures--James Michael Lee 8. Creativity and Teaching Concepts of God--E. Paul Torrance and J. Pansy Torrance Lee 9. Stories, Enactment, and Play--Donald Ratcliff 10. Planning, Evaluation, and Research--David Starks and Donald Ratcliff Contributors Index of Names Index of SubjectsEND

Table of Contents: Introduction 1. Preparing to Parent 2. A New Life Begins 3. Babies and Toddlers 4. Preschoolers 5. The School Years 6. Adolescence 7. When Good Parenting is Not Enough 8. A Final Challenge References Index

Table of Contents: Introduction 1. Preparing to Parent 2. A New Life Begins 3. Babies and Toddlers 4. Preschoolers 5. The School Years 6. Adolescence 7. When Good Parenting is Not Enough 8. A Final Challenge References Index

Table of Contents Introduction 1. Characteristics of School-Aged Children--Cary A. Buzzelli 2. Faith Development and the Language of Faith--Jerome W. Berryman 3. The Religious Concepts of Children--Renzo Vianello, Kalevi Tamminen, and Donald Ratcliff 4. Moral and Affective Dimensions of Childhood--Jerry Aldridge and Jean Box 5. Lifestyle Content and the Family--Blake J. Neff and Judith W. Seaver 6. Social Contexts of Children's Ministry--Donald Ratcliff 7. Discipline, Development, and Spiritual Growth--Cary A. Buzzelli and Kevin Walsh 8. General Procedures of Teaching Religion--James Michael Lee 9. Specific Procedures of Teaching Religion--Jolene Pearl 10. Assessment, Placement, and Evaluation--Kalevi Tamminen and Donald Ratcliff Contributors Index of Names Index of Subjects

Publisher's Description: Everyone is talking today about the centrality of family values. Here is a volume which provides a thorough treatment of religious education for the family, in the family, and of the family. The distinctiveness of this book is that it is the most comprehensive book available on family religious education. It gives you the finest theories, best research data, and most workable practices. Major features include helpful treatment on how to build strong religious families, how to work with traditional and nontraditional families, how to promote family communication, and theology of the family.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. Biblical and Theological Foundations of Marriage and the Family--David K. Clark 2. Religion and the Family--Daniel N. McIntosh and Bernard Spilka 3. Parenting and Religious Education--Donald Ratcliff 4. The Family Redefined--Richard J. Stellway 5. The Diverse-Traditional Family--Blake J. Neff 6. Family Communication--Blake J. Neff 7. Dysfunction, Healing, and the Family of Origin--Jon R. Harris 8. Family Ministry Methods--James W. White 9. Evaluating the Family Religious Education Program 10. The Future of Family Religious Education

The senior editor is former President of Vennard College, and is junior author of The Complete Guide to Religious Education Volunteers.

Gloria Durka of Fordham University and editor of Family Ministry writes: "This book is a treasure. In one volume the best research on family religious education plus many specific suggestions."

Myron Augsburger, former president of Coalition of Christian Colleges and Universities and author of Pilgrim Aflame says: "Skillfully blends biblical studies, theology, psychology, sociology, and educational practice."

Armond M. Nicholi Jr. of Harvard Medical School and author of Changes in the American Family states: "Provides clear and practical guidelines on how to keep the family intact and heal! thy."

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. Adolescent Subculture--James A. Davies 2. Adolescence as a Cultural Invention--Ronald L. Koteskey 3. Adolescent Thinking and Understanding--Gary L. Sapp 4. Preadolescence--Jerry Adlridge 5. Adolescents and Religion--Kenneth E. Hyde 6. Communication and Relationships--Blake J. Neff 7. Adolescent Moral Development and Sexuality--Bonnidell Clouse 8. Procedures in the Religious Education of Adolescents--James Michael Lee 9. Activist Youth Ministry--Anthony Campolo and Donald Ratcliff 10. Conducting a Needs Analysis and the Research Process--James F. Engel Contributors Index of Names Index of Subjects