| God's Potters: Pastoral Leadership and the Shaping of Congregations Contributor(s): Carroll, Jackson W. (Author) |
|
 |
ISBN: 0802863205 ISBN-13: 9780802863201 Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company OUR PRICE: $30.15 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: March 2006 Annotation: Pastoral ministry is an occupation in flux. In this comprehensive study Jackson Carroll considers the many factors -- changing roles among clergy and laypeople, the opening of ordination to women, an increasing shortage of clergy, and more -- that are shaping congregations and ministers today. Building on Paul's image of Christians as "clay jars," Carroll paints a portrait of "God's potters" -- pastors whose calling is to form their congregational jars so that they reveal rather than hide God's treasure. A veteran clergy watcher, Carroll uses data from what is likely the most representative survey of Protestant and Catholic clergy ever undertaken, as well as focus group interviews and congregational responses, to take a hard look at who is doing ministry today, what it involves, and how pastors are faring in leading their congregations. Significantly, his study covers clergy from a broad range of traditions -- Catholic, mainline Protestant, conservative Protestant, and historic black churches. Replete with pertinent tables and figures, "God's Potters" culminates with specific strategies for strengthening pastoral leadership and nurturing excellence in ministry. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Religion | Christian Ministry - Pastoral Resources - Religion | Leadership |
| Dewey: 253 |
| LCCN: 2005034137 |
| Series: Pulpit & Pew |
| Physical Information: 0.83" H x 6.34" W x 8.44" (0.94 lbs) 312 pages |
| Themes: - Religious Orientation - Christian - Theometrics - Mainline |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Pastoral ministry is an occupation in flux. In this comprehensive study Jackson Carroll considers the many factors -- changing roles among clergy and laypeople, the opening of ordination to women, an increasing shortage of clergy, and more -- that are shaping congregations and ministers today. Building on Paul's image of Christians as "clay jars," Carroll paints a portrait of "God's potters" -- pastors whose calling is to form their congregational jars so that they reveal rather than hide God's treasure. A veteran clergy watcher, Carroll uses data from what is likely the most representative survey of Protestant and Catholic clergy ever undertaken, as well as focus group interviews and congregational responses, to take a hard look at who is doing ministry today, what it involves, and how pastors are faring in leading their congregations. Significantly, his study covers clergy from a broad range of traditions -- Catholic, mainline Protestant, conservative Protestant, and historic black churches. Replete with pertinent tables and figures, God's Potters culminates with specific strategies for strengthening pastoral leadership and nurturing excellence in ministry. |
Contributor Bio(s): Carroll, Jackson W.: - Jackson W. Carroll is Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams Jr. Professor Emeritus of Religion and Society at Duke Divinity School, Durham, North Carolina. An ordained United Methodist minister and the recently retired director of Pulpit & Pew: Research on Pasto |