My continued reflections on pastoral ministry, the church, and what it means to be in ministry in North America led me back to Thomas Oden's Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry. I first read this book while still an undergrad at Wheaton College but enrolled with special permission in a graduate level class entitle "Pastoral Ministry," I …
Five Themes of Resilient Ministry
This week, I am spending time in reflection about what it means to be a pastor, what ministry is all about, and what it means to be the church. Earlier this week I shared some insights from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together about the church and from Dallas Willard on the nature of ministry in a consumer …
Real Discipleship in a Consumer Church: Dallas Willard on the Renovation of the Church
I am entering a period of deep reflection on what it means to be a pastor and what it means to be the church. I am asking questions that I have considered for years but now approach with a deeper sense of urgency and attention. I find myself wondering over and over again: what are …
The Pastor and Evangelism: Six Freeing Approaches to Fulfilling our Evangelistic Calling
It’s a pleasure to be a regular contributor to The Gospel Life blog. sponsored by the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College. My latest post dropped today: "The Pastor and Evangelism: Six Freeing Approaches to Fulfilling Our Evangelistic Calling." Here’s an excerpt, but you can read the entire post here. If we are honest as pastors, …
Ministry Mulligans (via Leadership)
A couple of people drew my attention to an article entitled "Ministry Mulligans" by Jack Connell in the most recent issue of Leadership. The honesty and insight Connell offers in this article are both admirable and poignant for anyone in ministry at any level. We all would do well to consider these words from someone …
Matthew Erickson 