From the Back Cover
Whether we know it or not, almost all contemporary American Christians and churches have been deeply influenced by the great controversies, struggles, and new forms of church life that arose from the sixteenth century in what we now call the Protestant Reformation. In the decades and centuries following the dramatic nailing of Luther's Ninety-five Theses to the door of the castle church at Wittenberg, the Protestant Christian movement has claimed and cherished as the heart of its heritage the great assertions of "justification by faith alone," "the priesthood of all believers, " and "sola Scriptura." New denominations came into being and moved across the Atlantic to find new forms and expression in the New World. Yet the great Reformation of Luther and Calvin left unfinished business. There are serious matters on the unfinished agenda of the Reformation that demand urgent attention in our own day. One of the most critical of these is the theme of this book -- the ministry of all believers, whether lay or ordained, male or female. If, as the Reformers agreed, priesthood is no longer limited to the hierarchical few but is intended as God's gift and God's intention for all believers, what is the situation in regard to Christian ministry or service? Is it possible that it too belongs to all believers and that our present structures and patterns actually inhibit God's intention for the way the work of the church is to be done? Greg Ogden provides a valuable service in offering a thoughtful, biblically founded yet provocative review of the key issues involved in equipping God's people for ministry. Writing as part of the Reformed tradition, he stresses the importance of re-envisioning the church and its ministry so as to empower and enable all of its people as servants of God in the church and the world. In the last twenty years or so, serious signs of strain have become increasingly visible in traditional American church life. While there is much evidence of spiritual vitality and growth in many parts of American Christianity, it is still true that mainline American denominations have lost close to one-fourth of all their members. In far too many congregations, overworked and stressed pastors worry about large numbers of inactive and passive members who look to the church for services in times of need, but who often give very little in the form of regular committed service. While many factors are involved, it is noticeable that many, if not most, fast-growing churches and younger denominations are growing, at least in part, because they have found ways to entrust significant ministries to non-ordained people. The apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:1 speaks of "ministry by the grace of God." To whom is ministry given? As an experienced pastor who seeks to live out the insights in this book, Greg Ogden helps us to start thinking about a New Reformation. Enjoy the challenge!
About the Author
Greg Ogden directs the Doctor of Ministry program at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He has more than 24 years of experience in pastoral ministry in churches in California and Pennsylvania. He earned degrees from UCLA and Fuller Theological Seminary. Dr. Ogden is also author of Discipleship Essentials and Making Disciples Jesus’ Way.
