In order to lead a meeting or to advise the leader of a meeting (whether secular or ecclesiastical) properly, the magnum opus source book and authority is Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised. 10th ed. revised. Edited by Sarah Corbin Robert, Henry M. Robert, III, William J. Evans, Daniel H. Honemann, Thomas J. Balch. Cambridge, MA: Perseus Books Group, 2000.

For a less technical, but highly accurate, and useful summary of RRO see Nancy Sylvester (a registered and professional parliamentarian). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Robert's Rules. Indianapolis: Alpha Books, 2004.

For more helpful sources on parliamentary procedure see the web site (and the online bookstore) of the National Association of Parliamentarians (http://parliamentarians.org).

A new work with a unique collection of materials on revivals has appeared. It is entitled Encyclopedia of Religious Revivals in America, ed. Michael McClymond. 2 vols. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 2007. The first volume contains information on revivals from Colonial America to the modern Pentecostal movements, Billy Graham, and the Willow Creek Community Church. The second volume contains many primary documents, 214 pages of bibliographical data, "A Guide to Archival Collections," and a helpful index.

21st Century Preaching Tool

I recently discovered an interesting website and was immediately reminded of the fact that I am living in the 21st century! This website offers video clips that can be used in sermons and/or teaching. In this day and age of TV, video and computer action, that little extra could make a huge difference in the point we are trying to make to our listeners.

http://www.bluefishtv.com offers hundreds of short clips, some free and others for sale at minimal prices. They cover a huge selection of topics and ages, and I must admit I was fascinated with the titles offered. It might be worth taking a look at the website the next time you need a little "extra."

Prayer and the humanity of Jesus

For a thought-provoking and profound suggestion concerning the theological and practical interrelationship between effective prayer and the humanity of Jesus Christ, see Josef A. Jungmann, The Place of Christ in Liturgical Prayer (Staten Island, New York; Alba House, 1965). This book was written by an acclaimed church historian and authority on liturgy. (You will probably have to borrow this rare book through InterLibrary Loan).