This book examines the theological foundations of a collaborative approach to Christian ministry. The discovery that Christians are members 'one of another' creates energy and joy in ministry and empowers the Church in an age of mission. Outlining the present challenges for ministry, Stephen Pickard offers an historical perspective on ministry over the last century; develops a theory of collaborative ministry based on a dialogue between theology and science; and explores some implications of collaborative ministry for lay and ordained people of the Church. This book breaks new ground in its theory of collaborative ministry through a dialogue with the sciences of emergence. It also offers fresh insights on important texts in ministry; relationships between Christology, Pneumatology and ministry; a relational ontology of ministry; episcopacy, ecumenism, ordination vows; and wisdom for team ministry.
Contents: Preface; Collaborative ministry: an introduction; Part I Ministry and the Ministries: Rediscovering the ministries of the people of God: mapping the territory; On knowing one's relations: church, ministry and theology. Part II Theological Trends in Ministry: Historical Perspectives: The question of origins: the legacy of R.C. Moberly's Ministerial Priesthood; The question of purpose: ministerial order and pioneer ministry; The question of reach: representative priesthood and the ministries of the laos. Part III Towards a Collaborative Theory of Ministry: Ministries in relation: the quest for integration; Collaborative ministry: a dialogue between theology and science; One of another: dynamics of collaborative ministry. Part IV Reforming Orders: A relational ontology of orders: some implications for practice; Episcopacy, management and the problem of ecclesiology; Episcopacy from below: the ecumenical gift. Part V Recovering Orientations: 'This is your promise': the vows, formation and ministerial existence; 'I saw Satan fall like lightning': a sermon on team ministry for mission; Conclusion: the collaborative world; Bibliography; Index.
