Charleston, SC

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

What do leading religious thinkers have to say about the current state of rhetoric in the religious and public square? Dr. Mitch Carnell, a Baptist layman and communication consultant has assembled an outstanding group of denomination leaders to discuss the issue and to encourage a more Christian dialogue in his new book, Christian Civility in an Uncivil World, published by Smyth&Helwys (www.helwys.com).

Dr. Jimmy Allen, coordinator of the New Baptist Covenant and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, leads the challenge with, "Bringing People of Faith Together.". Dr. Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary and the author of Uncommon Decency, discusses, "Good Manners for Public Christians." The Episcopal Bishop of Lexington, Kentucky, Stacey Sauls, believes, "What We Need Is More Maturity."

Two leaders from the Catholic Alliance for the Common Good, Richard Gehring and Alexia Kelley, discuss, "Civility and the Common Good." Sally Dyck, the Methodist Bishop of Minnesota, draws on the teachings of John Wesley for her chapter, "Holy Conferencing." Dr. Thomas McKibbens, a historian and pastor of the First Baptist Church of Worcester, Massachusetts, presents a discussion of, "The Minister as Friend. McKibbens is passionate about ministry as therapy. Wade Burleson, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Enid, Oklahoma, tackles the difficult topic of, "Christian Civility on the Internet." He developed a set of ten guidelines that Christians should use when they blog. Burleson is also the author of Hardball Religion.

Dr. Carnell returns to his specialty in discussing, "The Power of Words." He is an active lay member of First Baptist Church of Charleston, South Carolina, the oldest Baptist Church in the South. He is the founder of Say Something Nice Day and Say Something Nice Sunday. He authored, Speaking in Church Made Simple and wrote a column, "Strictly Speaking," for the Charleston, SC Post and Courier for fourteen years.

Paul Raushenbush, associate dean of religious life and the chapel at Princeton University, wrote the Foreword. He is a contributing editor to Beliefnet.com and moderator of the blog, Progressive Revival.

Christian Civility in an Uncivil World is available from the publisher www.helwys.com, and through Amazon. It is also available at www.christiancivility.com.

Mitch Carnell Ph.D.

Charleston, SC

843-556-2310

First Url: Christian Civility

Second Url: Effective Communication