Combining the useful and practical with the reflective and theoretical, this book will prove to be an invaluable companion for those who find ministry means leadership and leadership means service. Like Roger Matthews’ excellent chapter on asking questions, this book seems to address all the right ones. -- Stephen Cottrell
As the church continues to develop and grow new models of lay and ordained ministry that are able to respond to the changing context of mission, it is crucial that our ordained and lay ministers receive appropriate patterns of training and formation. Training and formation not only provide skills and opportunities for theological reflection, but helps people serve Christ better. When we neglect training the quality of discipleship suffers and the churches impact on the world decreases. This book has been written by leading practitioners in ministerial formation. It is a wonderful blend of theological, practical and prayerful reflection and guidance. It will serve as a useful tool to all those involved in the supervision and training of clergy and lay ministers at the start of their ministry and is essential reading for those who take that responsibility seriously. -- Peter Burrows
Good contemporary resources crafted specifically for training incumbents and curates are in short supply, so Developing Faithful Ministers is most welcome. The chapters explore ordained ministry itself, enabling reflection and learning within training, and specific areas where ministers need knowledge, skills and insight. Useful tools for training are offered, but the book is much more than a how-to guide: its contributors urge ministers to seek not only competence but also wisdom and faithfulness, and root their proposals for good practice in scripture and theology. The book will enrich my thinking and practice as I work with curates and training incumbents. -- Director of IME 4-7 for the Dioceses of Newcastle and Durham
