Metaphors Of Ministry

Down through the centuries church leaders have studied the Gospels to discover patterns of leadership development that can be applied to their own context. Yet the word leader does not appear in the Gospels...Could it be that leadership has more to do with learning to follow than learning to command, supervise, or mange? On right attitudes than on mastery of certain skills?...Many of the insights we need are embedded in the images which Jesus used to describe his followers. So David W. Bennett introduces his stimulating and scholarly study previously published under the title 'Biblical Images for Leaders and Followers.' He examines the many images and metaphors in the Gospels relating to how disciples follow Jesus, and in turn influence others. Then he moves on to survey much of the evidence to be found in the images of the rest of the New Testament. Finally, he draws some judicious conclusions for an understanding of Christian leadership in our own day. The author has considerable cross-cultural experience, having taught church leaders in Japan, India, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, India, Nepal, Tanzania, and Kenya, in addition to pastoring churches in California, Oregon and Massachusetts. He has also traveled and done research among church leaders in Malawi, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Korea, Thailand, Russia and the Czech Republic. His aim is to stimulate thought on these questions in churches all over the world, not just in the west.

This book is a comprehensive guide to competent Spirit-led ministry in the 21st century. Written from a Pentecostal/Charismatic perspective, it focuses on four important aspects of effective ministry - preaching, teaching, healing, and leading. Beginning with biblical definitions of ministry, the book describes the challenges presented by the 21st century in light of the long history of Christian ministry, and it offers biblically sound advice to address these challenges. The role of the Holy Spirit in ministry is examined in detail. The bulk of the book is devoted to the theory (theology) and practice of competent, Spirit-led ministry. This book is a call to excellence in ministry as well sa a guide to empowered preaching, teaching, healing, and leading.

Down through the centuries church leaders have studied the Gospels to discover patterns of leadership development that can be applied to their own context. Yet the word leader does not appear in the Gospels...Could it be that leadership has more to do with learning to follow than learning to command, supervise, or mange? On right attitudes than on mastery of certain skills?...Many of the insights we need are embedded in the images which Jesus used to describe his followers. So David W. Bennett introduces his stimulating and scholarly study previously published under the title 'Biblical Images for Leaders and Followers.' He examines the many images and metaphors in the Gospels relating to how disciples follow Jesus, and in turn influence others. Then he moves on to survey much of the evidence to be found in the images of the rest of the New Testament. Finally, he draws some judicious conclusions for an understanding of Christian leadership in our own day. The author has considerable cross-cultural experience, having taught church leaders in Japan, India, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, India, Nepal, Tanzania, and Kenya, in addition to pastoring churches in California, Oregon and Massachusetts. He has also traveled and done research among church leaders in Malawi, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Korea, Thailand, Russia and the Czech Republic. His aim is to stimulate thought on these questions in churches all over the world, not just in the west.

Drawing together original research which weaves together ideas from theology, philosophy, feminism and writing on mothering and child development, Emma Percy affirms and encourages aspects of good practice in ministry that are in danger of being overlooked because they are neither well-articulated nor valued. Offering a fresh look at parish ministry, this book uses a maternal metaphor to provide an integrated image of being and doing. The metaphor of mothering is used to explore the relational aspect of parish ministry which needs to value particularity and concrete contingent responsiveness. Percy suggests virtues that need to be cultivated to guard against the temptations to intrusive or domineering styles of care on the one hand or passive abnegation of responsibility on the other. Parish ministry cannot be understood in terms of tangible productivity; different ways of understanding success and evaluating priorities need to be developed. The book suggests ways of being ’good enough’ clergy who can find the right balance between caring for people and communities whilst encouraging and acknowledging the maturity of others.

This book is a comprehensive guide and a one-volume handbook on Spirit-led ministry in the twenty-first century. Written for ministry students, seasoned pastors, and anyone dealing with a sense of calling, this is an inspiring read on Spirit-empowered ministry that expresses itself in word and deed through preaching, teaching, healing, and leadership. In these pages, a pastor, chaplain, and seminary professor who has trained people for ministry in multiple nations addresses the most important aspects of effective Christian ministry. Read this book to encounter biblically sound and theologically balanced information and transformational instruction. Discern, discover, or reaffirm a call to ministry, seek the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and develop excellence in contemporary ministry.

Nothing compares to the power of a good object lesson to make a memorable point. Remember Jesus with the fish and loaves? The mustard seed? The inscription on the coin? And the point he made with each object? You sure do! Now you can make powerful points like that in every lesson, study or message you lead with Faith Metaphors. Book jacket.

Focusing on pastoral leadership within local churches or groups of churches, Derek Tidball provides a comprehensive survey of the variety of ministry models and patterns found in the New Testament with applications for today's ministry.