Method In Ministry

Theological Reflection and Christian Ministry James & Evelyn Whitehead Topics ranging from Tradition and the minister to the broad concerns of theology in conversation with culture.

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.

Ministry is transformative action. As Christians, when we do something in service-engaging the needs of our sisters and brothers in the name of Jesus Christ-we minister for the reign of God. The Romero House volunteers, whose narratives undergird this volume, actively construct a theology of ministry while undergoing a powerful sense of personal transformation. Anyone involved in ministry-whether in formation programs, in parishes, or in social justice activities-will welcome this creative, process-oriented framework for ministerial theology and faith development, a framework that is firmly grounded in the minister's grassroots experience.

A major and continuing problem for theological education and the practice of Christian ministry is how to best achieve a genuine integration between theory and practice, theology and experience. The key claim of this book is that theological reflection, beginning with experience, is a method of integration and that pastoral supervision is a vehicle for theological reflection. In establishing this claim, John Paver demonstrates that the model and method have potential to be a catalyst for reform within theological colleges and seminaries. Three different theological reflection models are developed and critiqued in this book, and their capacity to be developed in particular contexts is explored. This book does not stop at ministry, cultural and personal integration, but is bold enough to make recommendations for structural integration within the theological institution.

Models and Methods for Youth and Young Adult Ministry is a rare book on young adult and youth ministry in that it weaves sound theology and solid pastoral practice. It invites pastoral practitioners, scholars in the field, and university-ministry students to envision various models and methods for doing youth and young adult ministry in a collaborative and ecumenical way. Through rich, concrete examples and strategies, the reader will grasp the significance of each model and the various methods to integrate and implement these robust approaches. The result is this book will empower readers toward a more meaningful understanding of youth and young adult ministry, which will in turn engage the young church of Christ.

Four years in the making, A Worldview Approach to Ministry Among Muslim Women is a ground-breaking exploration into the way culture and worldview affect ministry among Muslim women. Using original field research from eight different language and culture groups, the book explores a variety of ministries among Muslim women and provides tools to analyze their effectiveness. With contributions from scholars, field workers and agency administrators, readers are encouraged in a holistic Muslim ministry perspective through in-depth studies in Muslim beliefs, anthropological tools, worldview analyses, and explorations in strategic issues and discipleship. The book concludes with case studies and discussion questions to provide a comprehensive training manual for workers and students alike.

A Proactive Approach to Leadership Transition in Ministry was inspired through the need of today’s ministries to be proactive in preparation and development of future leaders to carry the ministry forward. Equipping and mentoring the next generation of leaders effectively is an absolute necessity for continued church success. Leaders should endeavor to actively discern gifts and talents early in potential leaders. It is the leader’s responsibility to develop and prepare others for leadership transitions. This book serves as a warning and a guide for modern-day church to avoid a leadership vacuum that has become so prevalent in today’s churches by implementing a proactive approach to leadership transition. This book will encourage church leaders to develop the foundation needed to begin the implementation of a proactive approach to the leadership transition.

The yearning to be a theologian is widespread. Pastors, students, supervisors, and mentors all wish to think theologically about their ministries but often feel inadequately prepared. This book seeks to respond by showcasing a variety of approaches to theological reflection brought to bear upon actual situations in ministry. It is written by theological field educators. We define theological reflection as reflection upon lived, embodied experiences in ministry that seeks to make sense of practice and form reflectors in habits for competent ministry. An introductory chapter defines theological reflection as practiced within field education and points readers toward a diversity of approaches. Eleven subsequent chapters present two reflections upon the same case, each reflection written by a different author and representing a different reflection method. The book's significance is as a resource for teaching theological reflection in a range of settings. It not only offers a definition of and rationale for theological reflection but models various approaches to it. Its use of cases furthermore models the use of case studies in theological education and pastoral practice more widely.