Table of Contents
List of Figures ix
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction 1
The Road Ahead: An Overview 4
Welcome to the Journey! 6
The Walk to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35, NRSV) 8
1 On the Road: Practices as Theology, and Theology as Practice 11
Where We Start Shapes the Journey 15
Voices from the Margins Expand the Conversation 18
Being a Theologian-Practitioner: A Circular Dance of Wisdom 20
2 Setting Hearts on Fire: Practices of Proclamation 29
Church as Community of word and Word 31
Preaching: Art or Craft? Both and More 32
The Sermon as Crossroad Conversation 34
Preparing, Practicing, and Preaching a Sermon 42
Seven Parting "Commandments" for the Practice of Preaching 45
3 Stewards of the Mysteries: Practices of Worship 49
Exegeting a Community's Context and Culture 51
Leading Worship: A Holy Privilege 52
Public Ministers in Multiple Arenas 60
Into the Holy of Holies: Presiding or Assisting at the Sacraments 60
Baptismal Ministry; Gift and Challenge 64
Holy Communion: Cultivating a Gracious Altar-Side Mannet 66
4 Companions in Healing: Practices of Pastoral Care 71
Listen, Listen, Listen! 72
Context: How We Are Shaped by Where We Live 79
Content: What Is the Scope of Pastoral Care? 84
Diversification: Expanding the Circle of Caregivers 86
Balance: From Shepherd to Samaritan 89
5 Companions in Telling the Story: Practices of Christian Education 95
Christian Education Is Not Just for Women and Children! 97
Some Fundamentals from Psychology and Educational Theory 98
Christian Education Is Walking Together 101
Formation Is Inclusive, Intercultural, and Mobile 102
Learning Begins with Questions 105
Not Just Minds, but Hearts and Bodies 106
The Core Curriculum Is Always the Christian Story 108
Prophetic and Political Curricula (of, by, and for the People!) 112
6 Called to Be Servants: Practices of Leadership 119
Context Again! 120
Neither Command and Control nor Total Chaos 123
Planning: Discerning the Way 126
The Incarnational Church Is a Corporate Body 130
Stewardship and Faithful Financial Leadership 134
A Given for Today's Ministers: Coping with ConRict 135
Leading in the World beyond the Congregation or Other Organization 137
The Band of Leaders Needed for Tomorrow's Church 138
Epilogue: Journey into Joy 145