Exploring Practices of Ministry
120Exploring Practices of Ministry
120Paperback
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Overview
The authors share their wisdom with seminarians and other readers seeking to deepen theological reflection and expand skills as ministry practitioners. While not all readers are preparing to be ordained ministers, most will engage in many of the practices described in the book: preaching and public speaking, teaching, leading liturgies, conducting ceremonies, counseling and offering pastoral support for persons undergoing life transitions, and serving as organizational leaders in congregations, chaplaincies, social ministries, and in the public arena. This book is a companion journal for pilgrims on the way to becoming confident practitioners of ministry.
Product Details
ISBN-13: | 9781451488937 |
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Publisher: | 1517 Media |
Publication date: | 12/01/2014 |
Series: | Foundations for Learning |
Pages: | 120 |
Product dimensions: | 8.80(w) x 5.90(h) x 0.50(d) |
About the Author
Michael Cooper-Whiteserves as the twelfth president of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. He has led the school through multiple transitions, including the creation of the award-winning Seminary Ridge Museum. He teaches and writes about church administration and leadership and is a consultant to churches in Central and South America. He is also a pilot and certified flight instructor.Cooper-White is a regular columnist with The Lutheran magazine.
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