Small Groups: Growing in the Lutheran Church

The purpose of this major applied project is threefold. First, through a study of the Scriptures, the history and use of small groups will be traced, and the text will demonstrate that it is God\u27s will that His Church grow and be brought into a relationship with Himself. Secondly, the necessity and strategy for persons to be brought into a relationship with one another as they grow in discipleship will be emphasized and discussed in a chapter which reviews not only biblical data, but also provides a search of related literature from the fields of both theology and social psychology. Finally, specific concerns and tasks are suggested which must be identified as congregations intentionally pursue the task of disciple making. A Lutheran bias is reflected in the project with specific attention being drawn to the means of grace (Word and Sacrament) as the effective course for both church growth and growth in discipleship while also emphasizing the work of the social sciences in addressing the needs of people. Some of the present work in the area of small group ministry in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is identified. A leadership manual is proposed in the final chapter for use in the training of leaders in a small group ministry within the Lutheran Church, a manual which is being used by the author

Consumer Bankruptcy Update

Materials from the Consumer Bankruptcy Update presentations held by UK/CLE in December 2000

Integrated care pathways for airway diseases (AIRWAYS-ICPs)

The objective of Integrated Care Pathways for Airway Diseases (AIRWAYS-ICPs) is to launch a collaboration to develop multi-sectoral care pathways for chronic respiratory diseases in European countries and regions. AIRWAYS-ICPs has strategic relevance to the European Union Health Strategy and will add value to existing public health knowledge by: 1) proposing a common framework of care pathways for chronic respiratory diseases, which will facilitate comparability and trans-national initiatives; 2) informing cost-effective policy development, strengthening in particular those on smoking and environmental exposure; 3) aiding risk stratification in chronic disease patients, using a common strategy; 4) having a significant impact on the health of citizens in the short term (reduction of morbidity, improvement of education in children and of work in adults) and in the long-term (healthy ageing); 5) proposing a common simulation tool to assist physicians; and 6) ultimately reducing the healthcare burden (emergency visits, avoidable hospitalisations, disability and costs) while improving quality of life. In the longer term, the incidence of disease may be reduced by innovative prevention strategies. AIRWAYSICPs was initiated by Area 5 of the Action Plan B3 of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. All stakeholders are involved (health and social care, patients, and policy makers)