The Soul of Ministry: Forming Leaders for God’s People

by Ray S. Anderson

Publisher:

Westminster John Knox

, 1997

Overview

Ray Anderson offers an inspiring call for Christian leaders to view Jesus as a model for their own ministry today. The Soul of Ministry explores the idea of ministry across denominations and discovers its soul in God's love for the world. Designed for pastors of all denominations, this book combines social biblical theology with numerous real-life anecdotes from Anderson's teaching and ministry.

Key Features

• Argues for a model of ministry grouped in theology
• Demonstrates the Trinitarian foundation of ministry
• Grounds ministry and leadership in Christ's example

Contents

• Ministry as Theological Task
• God's Ministry in Covenant and Creation
• Jesus' Ministry to the Father on Behalf of the World
• The Spirit's Ministry through Jesus for the Sake of the Church
• The Church's Ministry to the World on Behalf of Jesus
• Leading God's People in the Ministry of Christ

Top Highlights

“Second, theological discernment must be open to the direction of the Holy Spirit in order to interpret any given situation in terms of the eschatological preference of God rather than merely conform to historical precedence and principle.” (Pages 14–15)

“Ministry is God’s way of reaffirming and expounding the truth of who God is and what God wishes to reveal through what he has said and done.” (Page 7)

“Every act of ministry teaches something about God.” (Page 8)

“Whether we realize it or not, every act of ministry reveals something of God. By act of ministry I mean a sermon preached, a lesson taught, a marriage performed, counsel offered, and any other word or act that people might construe as carrying God’s blessing, warning, or judgment.” (Page 7)

“His discipleship is grounded on the obedience issuing from love, servanthood growing out of sonship, and freedom grounded in fulfillment of God’s purpose for his life.” (Page 32)

Product Details

• Title: The Soul of Ministry: Forming Leaders for God’s People
• Author: Ray S. Anderson
• Edition: First edition
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox
• Print Publication Date: 1997
• Logos Release Date: 2016
• Pages: 277
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Theology, practical; Clergy › Office; Church work
• ISBNs: 0664257445, 9780664257446
• Resource ID: LLS:SLMNSTRYFGDSPPL
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:02:16Z

About Ray S. Anderson

Ray S. Anderson (Ph.D., University of Edinburgh) is senior professor of theology and ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he has taught since 1976. He is also a contributing editor to Journal of Psychology and Theology. He has written many books, including An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches (2006), Judas and Jesus: Amazing Grace for the Wounded Soul (2004), The Soul of God: A Theological Memoir (2004), Spiritual Caregiving as Secular Sacrament: A Practical Theology for Professional Caregivers (2003), Dancing with Wolves While Feeding the Sheep (2002), The New Age of Soul: Spiritual Wisdom for a New Millennium (2001), Living the Spiritually Balanced Life (1998) and The Soul of Ministry: Forming Leaders for God's People (1997). Anderson's articles and book reviews have been published in a wide array of scholarly and popular periodicals.