Out of the Office: A Theology of Ministry

By Robert D. Cornwall

Theology is often seen as a discussion of dry doctrines, suitable mostly for academic institutions, but separated from the practice of faith. In this third volume of the Academy of Parish Clergy's Conversations in Ministry series Dr. Bob Cornwall, church historian, theologian, and pastor, shows the ways in which one's theology shapes one's ministry in the church and in the world.

Besides discussing the theological roots of ministry and mission, this book is firmly placed in the 21st century, looking at the virtual world as our parish as well as more traditional connections.

Practical. Systematic. Spiritual. Down-to earth. If you are looking for a way to put more life, focus, and meaning into your ministry as a pastor or church leader, this is the book for you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Energion Publications
• Release date: Apr 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781631993909

Robert D. Cornwall

Robert D. Cornwall is a Minister-at-Large for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), theologian, ecumenical and interfaith leader, police chaplain, and author. He has written numerous books and articles, including Called to Bless: Finding Hope by Reclaiming Our Spiritual Roots. He serves as the editor of Sharing the Practice (the journal of the Academy of Parish Clergy).

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Praise for Out of the Office

A pastor is called to be the theologian of her or his church. Accordingly, although pastors are generalists, they are also practical and pastoral theologians, whose vocations need to be guided by solid theological reflection. Bob Cornwall presents an insightful and inspirational vision of ministry for the twenty-first century, inviting pastors to become the intellectual, spiritual, and prophetic leaders of their congregations. This short and accessible book is a must-read for seminarians, seeking wisdom for the practice of ministry, and congregational and institutional pastors in need of inspiration and guidance to deepen their practice of ministry.

– Dr. Bruce Epperly

Pastor, author of

Tending to the Holy: The Practice of the Presence of God in Ministry and A Center in the Cyclone: Twenty-first Century Clergy Self-care

In a time when many voices are speaking of the demise of the local congregation and the nones are the leading group in the religious sector, Robert Cornwall has boldly presented a positive word for the local congregation in his book, Out of the Office: A Theology for Ministry. He acknowledges the weaknesses of the local congregation, but believes that through an openness to new forms and practices of ministry that emerge through an evolving belief systems, that the local congregation still has a significant role in ministry today. He broadens the concept of the local parish to reach out into the neighborhood and the world around it in ministry that involves the local congregation, both clergy and laity drawing upon their spiritual gifts, to engage in missional activities. Out of the Office: A Theology of Ministry offers the professional clergy and laity a challenge to be the Church today that Jesus envisioned as a servant and missional ministry in the whole world.

– William Powell Tuck

Author of Star Thrower: A Pastor’s Handbook

and Stewardship:The Forgotten Beatitude

Once again, Dr. Robert Cornwall provides the church with a valuable book. In his new book, Out of the Office, he tackles the important questions of what is ministry; how do we effectively engage in ministry; and what does ministry look like in our globalizing world? This prophetic work is eloquently written and beautifully reflects Dr. Cornwall’s deep spirituality and faith.

– Grace Ji-Sun Kim

Associate Professor of Theology at Earlham School of Religion and author of Embracing The Other and Mother Daughter Speak

Seldom do we find careful reflection on the theology and practice of ministry that is grounded in Scripture, theology, and ecclesiastical history instead of pragmatics. Robert Cornwall, an active pastor, has provided such a work. In eighty short pages he interprets the development of ministry from the early church to the modern day. Here is a clearly written, vibrant theology of ministry and its practice. If you are in ministry of any type, you will no doubt find your vision of that ministry rekindled while reading and studying this volume.

– Jerry Gladson, Ph.D.

Senior Minister Emeritus

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Marietta, GA

Out of the Office

A Theology of Ministry

Conversations in Minstry, Volume 3

Robert D. Cornwall

Energion Publications

Gonzalez, FL

2017

Copyright © 2017, Robert D. Cornwall

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U. S. A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture marked CEB is taken from the Common English Bible®, CEB® Copyright © 2010, 2011 by Common English Bible.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. The CEB and Common English Bible trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Common English Bible. Use of either trademark requires the permission of Common English Bible.

Kindle Edition

ISBN10: 1-63199-390-9

ISBN13: 978-1-63199-390-9

Print Edition

ISBN10: 1-63199-373-9

ISBN13: 978-1-63199-373-2

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017938739

Energion Publications

P. O. Box 841

Gonzalez, FL 32560

energion.com

[e-mail]

Table of Contents

Series Preface v

Orientation 1

1 What Is My Theology? 5

2 What is Ministry? 15

3 Giftedness and Ministry 27

4 Ministry and the Missional Church 33

5 The World Is Our Parish 45

6 The Virtual World Is Our Parish 53

7 Theology and the Practices of Ministry 61

8 Ordination: Recognition and Authorization 71

Epilogue:

Theology for Ministry in the Twenty-first Century 77

Bibliography 81

Series Preface

Parish ministry can be an exciting and challenging vocation. This has always been the case, but it is perhaps even truer today. At least in the European and North American contexts, institutional forms of religion are finding themselves pushed to the sidelines. Their purpose and value has been questioned, and with these questions come further questions about the professional status of those who are called to serve these congregations. A generation ago, congregational ministers might see themselves as members of a professional class, like that of medical doctors and attorneys. The Academy of Parish Clergy, the sponsor of this book series, was founded with just that vision—to encourage and enhance the professional practice of parish ministry. This was to be accomplished by setting professional standards, including the encouragement to engage in regular continuing education, and then providing a means of accountability to those standards. Although the broader culture has raised questions about the professional standing of parish clergy, the need for professional standards, continuing education, and accountability remains as important today as ever before. This is because the world in which ministry is being done is ever changing, and therefore clergy must adapt, learn new skills, and reposition themselves for a new day. It is helpful, therefore, to walk in the company of others who are also engaged in similar kinds of ministry.

What makes parish ministry both exciting and challenging is that most clergy are generalists. They’re like the family practitioner, dealing with a wide variety of issues and people. No day is exactly the same, for they serve as teachers, preachers, worship leaders, providers of pastoral care, administrators, and social justice leaders. They may be more gifted in some areas than others, but ultimately, they find themselves engaged in a wide variety of tasks that often push them to the limits of ability and endurance. It is not a vocation that can be undertaken on one’s own, and for a variety of reasons parish ministers need to find a community of others who share this calling, so that they might find encouragement, support, and ideas for dealing with parish life and ministry in the broader world.

Part of the founding vision of the Academy of Parish Clergy was to facilitate this need to find a community of peers, and with this in mind, Academy members were encouraged to create and join in Colleague Groups, where they could encourage one another and explore issues that confront clergy in their daily ministry, often using the Case Study Method, which was emerging at the time among the professions. That model is still available, but it is the hope of the editors of this series that these books will also provide a foundation for conversation in clergy groups.

This vision continues to sustain the Academy more than forty years after its founding, and the APC book series, Conversations in Ministry, seeks to extend this vision by offering to clergy, books written primarily by practicing clergy for practicing clergy dealing with the issues that confront them in ministry today. Each book, published in partnership with Energion Publications, will be brief and focused (under 100 pages). Each book is designed to encourage reflection and conversation among clergy. The editors and authors of these books hope that the books will be taken up by groups of clergy and inspire