Customer Reviews

Effective Ministry as an Associate Pastor: Making Beautiful Music as a Ministry Team

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Robert Radcliffe--professor of Educational Ministry at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon--knows about serving as an assistant pastor both because he is an academic who specializes in studying team ministries and also because he served his entire parish career as an assistant pastor (various titles, but the same basic job). As such, he is well-qualified to write this introductory book to introduce team ministry to those who are considering that career route and also to aid and give advice to those already in an associate position.

The guiding metaphor from which Radcliffe operates is the orchestra. Continually referring to the Senior Pastor as the "First Chair" (one responsible for the performance of all the other players) and the other ministers as the "Second," "Third," etc., chairs (responsible for playing as best as they can yet remain under the leadership of the First Chair), Radcliffe effectively illustrates the various joys and complications associated with being a subordinate pastor.

He is most helpful as he cites personal accounts of successes and failures he experienced as an assistant. He runs the gamut from relationships with superiors to relationships with the laity to relationships with those outside the church. Of particular importance to this reader was the myriad of questions to ask yourself/find out as you consider taking a position as an assistant pastor (as is the case for me).

A weakness of this book is that Radcliffe does tend to be simplistic (as opposed to simple) at certain points. Furthermore, his description of various denominational idiosyncracies was more confusing than helpful (but this is true of any such comparitive analysis). Yet these weaknesses are minor and detract little from the book's overall value.

Recommended for assistant pastor, senior pastors, and laity who attend churches served by multiple pastors.

Great book. I was first introduced to this book while in seminary in 2000. It was relevant then and now. The author provides practical and real-life situations that all associate ministers can apply. The book is easy to read and easy to follow. Highly recommended.