Incarnational Ministry

The bestselling writer and popular broadcaster Sam Wells reflects theologically and practically on the essence of discipleship and Christian ministry today. Beginning with a central understanding that ministry is essentially about ‘being with’ the other, whether that other is God, the church, friends or strangers in the world, he explores the theme of ‘being with’ in a number of important spiritual, pastoral and ethical contexts: • Being with God, alone and with others • Being with oneself • Being with the creation • Being with others in the everyday • Being with the troubled • Being with those who have lost a sense of self • Being with the dying This book, and its forthcoming companion, Incarnational Mission, develops ideas first explored in Sam Wells’ highly acclaimed and seminal book, A Nazareth Manifesto.

Intro -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Dedication -- Contents -- Preface -- Prologue: There Is Need of Only One Thing -- Introduction: The Ministry of Being With -- 1. Being with God -- 2. Being with Oneself -- 3. Being with the Creation -- 4. Being with God Together -- 5. Being with Child -- 6. Being with the Called -- 7. Being with the Troubled -- 8. Being with the Hurt -- 9. Being with the Afflicted -- 10. Being with the Challenged -- 11. Being with the Dying -- Epilogue: Precious, Honored, and Loved -- Index of Names and Subjects -- Index of Scripture References

With may be the most important word in the Christian faith. In the Trinity, as Samuel Wells points out, we see the eternal persons of the Godhead being with each other. In the Gospels we see Jesus being with the people he encounters, mediating God's grace to them with his own incarnational presence. Those in ministry are likewise called to the task of being with—with God, with the church, and with the created world and those who dwell in it. In Incarnational Ministry Wells elaborates on the concept of being with in eight dimensions: presence, attention, mystery, delight, participation, partnership, enjoyment, and glory. His vivid narratives and wise reflections will challenge readers to deeper discipleship and more vital ministry as they explore what it means to be with the troubled, the hurt, the afflicted, the challenged, the dying—and all who are embraced by the church's incarnational ministry.

Andrew Root reviews the history of relational/incarnational youth ministry in American evangelicalism and recasts the practice as one of "place-sharing"--not so much "earning the right to be heard" as honoring the human dignity of youth and locating God in their midst.

How does the Reality of the Incarnation inform and shape the nature of Christian ministry? What is the church's impact in the world when its members embody the powerfully redemptive presence of Christ-in personal as well as corporate witness? These key questions are addressed in Incarnational ministry: The Presence of Christ in Church, Society, and Family-a volume honoring the significant contributions and personal witness of Ray S. Anderson to a theology of incarnational ministry. The essays explore three central themes: (1) the church's nature and life as the ministry of the incarnate Savior; (2) the church in mission and service, witnessing to Christ's solidarity with the world; (3) the church in ministry to families and as family to all of humanity. The diverse voices in this volume harmonize in a shared passion for the church to engage in the "hard theological thinking and costly personal practice that should flow from its doctrine of the incarnation." "Incarnational Ministry transfers theology from the library and lecture hall to life, where it belongs...brings together a stellar company of Christian scholars and leaders who write not merely for the academy but for the church, for laity as well as for clergy."---W. Ward Gasque, Provost, Eastern College, St. Davids, PA "Reading this book, one is struck with how relevant basic Christian doctrines...are to the burning issues of our time. This is theology related to life."---Elizabeth Achtemeier, Adjunct Professor of Bible and Homiletics, Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA

In this exegetical study of the Gospel of John, Andreas Kostenberger strives to discover and articulate a throroughtly biblical theology of mission which would have contemporary implications for how the church responds to Christ's mandate.

A study of four types of societies with characteristics that affect receptivity to evangelism and church planting.

Youth ministry succeeds because it directly reflects Jesus Christ’s approach. It’s not overvalued today; it’s undervalued. The hard work required for its success has been misunderstood and misrepresented. The first part of the book establishes that case and analyzes the pros and cons of current, varying philosophies and approaches, merging their best aspects into the holistic approach demonstrated by Christ. Part 2 introduces Attachment Relationship Ministry (ARM), a lens distinguishing four primary adolescent relational styles depending on how secure or insecure teens are with God and parents. Part 3 encourages strategic relational ministry sensitive to those styles, explaining why youth leader efforts succeed or fail. Chapters offer realistic discipleship and evangelism suggestions depending on attachment styles and practically empowering youth workers (volunteers, newbies, experts, and interns) to focus energy and time more wisely. These recommendations relate to spiritual formation, leadership selection, parental approach, and trending issues, such as ministry to LGBTQIA teens. For too many teens today, feeling insecure in crisis is a way of life. Learn how to take what you’ve done well and make it better. All church leaders should read this book, logging the critical importance of providing ministry specifically targeting teenagers today.