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Theology of Ministry

Understanding of the Word and the world with the development of a personal philosophy of ministry.
Number of lessons: 17
Total length: 15 hours
Format: Audio
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About This Class

Ministry is built upon sound biblical, theological and cultural foundations. Each generation of the Church must understand and build on these foundations, as well as discover relevant contemporary innovations and applications. This course intends to help you integrate an understanding of the Word and the world with the development of a personal philosophy of ministry.

At the end, it's a good exercise to write out you own theology of ministry that you could present to a board and/or articulate as situations in your ministry come up.

Recommended Reading:

Pastoral Theology in the Classical Tradition, Andrew Purves 

Reconstructing Pastoral Theology, Andrew Purves

Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church, D. A. Carson 

Pastoral Theology, Thomas C. Oden 

The Soul of Ministry: Forming Leaders for God’s People, Ray S. Anderson 

Serious Times, James White 

The Art of Pastoring, David Hansen 

The Reformed Pastor, Richard Baxter, James Macintosh Houston 

Revolution, George Barna 

The Shaping of Things to Come, Michael Frost 

The Contemplative Pastor, Eugene Peterson

Faithfulness and Holiness, J. I. Packer

Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be, Cornelius Plantinga Jr. 

Power, Weakness and the Tabernacling of God, Marva J. Dawn

A Theology of the Dark Side, Nigel Wright 

The Great Giveaway, David Fitch 

Too Christian, Too Pagan, Dick Staub 

Surprised by the Voice of God, Jack Deere 

(more)

About the Professor

John Johnson

Dr. John Johnson, former Lead Pastor and current Interim Pastor at GracePointe, is an Associate Professor at Western Seminary. He's an author, global teacher, and avid kayaker.

John Johnson

Lessons

  • 1. Theology as a Basis for Ministry

    Theology is the clarification of convictions by which we engage in ministry.

  • 2. Theology Combined with Ministry

    During the Renaissance, some people began making a distinction between academic theology and practical theology.

  • 3. Christ as a Model for Ministry

    The incarnation is the prism through which we view our entire missional task.

  • 4. Prophet, Priest, Sage and King

    Christ embodied the OT offices of prophet, priest and king.

  • 5. Identity of a Minister

    Ministry is a paradox of leading by serving.

  • 6. Mission of Ministry (part 1)

    We need to hear what God is saying through his word and proclaim it. A ministry of grace is characterized by a heart of forgiveness and reconciliation.

  • 7. Mission of Ministry (part 2)

    Ministry is participation in God’s work of transforming the community of faith until it is blameless at the coming of Christ.

  • 8. Context of Ministry (part 1)

    There is no ministry without church and no church without ministry.

  • 9. Context of Ministry (part 2)

    Our ministry is to be done in the context of community. We can't avoid institutions, but we can avoid institutionalism.

  • 10. Requirements for Ministry (part 1)

    Each of us is called to God, then to serve the body with the gifts we receive from the Spirit. Some have a special call to leadership.

  • 11. Requirements for Ministry (part 2)

    Character is what validates our ministry. We earn integrity by having a rigorous devotion to the truth.

  • 12. Requirements for Ministry (part 3)

    Giftedness should reflect in your passion for ministry, what God is blessing in your life and what other people are affirming.

  • 13. Resistance and Authority for Ministry

    Our mission is to advance the kingdom of God, so we are in conflict with Satan trying to advance his kingdom. God has given us authority. We need to exercise it and stand against sin.

  • 14. Emergent Church Movement
    When people begin a new movement, it can create an opportunity for you to re-evaluate your theology and practice to determine if your ideas are biblical or based solely on tradition.
  • 15. Assessing Ministry

    It’s important to have a theological basis for evaluating the effectiveness of your ministry.

  • 16. Inglorious and Glorious Aspects of Ministry

    Much of the daily work of ministry involves menial and mundane tasks. The glorious side of ministry overshadows the inglorious.

  • 17. Summary

    It’s important for your theology to inform your ministry and for your ministry to apply your theology.

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