Advocates and defends a generous understanding of the Christian tradition in its openness and commitm
Trade Review
This really is an “introduction to ministry.” Everything is in here and it is well-organized and well-said. This will become a standard for those considering professional ministry and others who want to understand the pastorate. Markham and Warder have point of view, but it is gentle and apparent and appreciative of ministry in diversity and complexity. David McAllister-Wilson, President, Wesley Theological Seminary Markham and Warder have boldly gone where no-one has quite gone before; writing a genuine introduction to ministry itself, not just pastoral care or liturgy or management, but about the extraordinary, messy and wonderful whole. This introduction is full of insight and wisdom. While it does not answer every question, it answers many of them, and it will provoke better questions and richer answers than readers might otherwise have obtained. It is also written from a fundamentally optimistic viewpoint, and gives a hopeful and faithful picture of how the “mainline” can not only survive but flourish amid changing realities. Andrew McGowen, Yale Divinity School
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction 1
Section One Exploring the World of Ministry 5
1 Sensing the Call 7
2 The Imperative of Training 19
3 Church Dynamics: Exploring Congregational Culture 30
Section Two Cultivating the Skills for Effective Ministry 45
4 Worship and Mainline Ritual 47
5 Reading Scripture Thoughtfully 58
6 Connecting the Theological Dots 68
7 Church History 81
8 Preaching the Word 92
9 Ethics in the Mainline 110
10 Pastoral Presence 122
11 Christian Education and Formation 135
12 Music and Hymnody 150
Section Three Leading the People of God 167
13 Prophetic Leadership and Social Justice 169
14 Evangelism and Church Growth 182
15 Leading through Change and Conflict 198
16 The Business of the Church 210
17 Stewardship 225
18 Christian Apologetics 237
19 Ministerial Integrity 253
Glossary 263
Index 277
