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Unfinished Business: Returning the Ministry to the People of God Paperback – April 14, 2003

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Greg Ogden (Author)
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4.5 out of 5 stars 20 customer reviews
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  • Unfinished Business: Returning the Ministry to the People of God
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  • Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership: How to Become an Effective Leader by Confronting Potential Failures
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  • Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God's Agenda, Revised and Expanded
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Zondervan; Revised ed. edition (April 1, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0310246199
  • ISBN-13: 978-0310246190
  • Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,396 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFinishing What We've Started
By Dave Treat on August 21, 2003
Format: Paperback
The original version of this book ("The New Reformation") came to my attention several years ago. It completely transformed my thinking about ministry (and ultimately led to a career change!) The historical origins of "the way we do ministry" were both fascinating and insightful, and the contrasts between the historical norm, our current practice and the preferred future were radically enlightening. I simply could not think about ministry the same way again.
I met Greg Ogden, the author, several months ago. As we shook hands, I whispered, "You messed up my life!" and explained the impact of the original book, which I have recommended to key leaders and have given as gifts. When he said that the "revised" version ("Unfinished Business") was about to be released, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it! I wasn't disappointed! The new version has many additions and clarifications, and is messing with my head all over again. We are using the book as a tool to re-educate both church staff and volunteers in a new understanding of calling, spiritual gifts and equipping roles. Ogden's call for "One People... One Ministry" should be heard and answered by all who follow Christ... whether or not they formerly divided themselves into "Clergy" and "Laity."
With the current resurgence in interest in Martin Luther (a PBS special and an upcoming theatrical release), readers will be challenged by Ogden's position that Luther's Reformation was incomplete. After reading his clear and passionate reasoning, you'll be ready to take up arms yourself, to complete Luther's "Unfinished Business."
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5.0 out of 5 starsRead this book!
By The Scribe on January 3, 2006
Format: Paperback
This book challenges the traditional system of the modern Church movement. It makes the reader reflect on the developmental history of the church and really what the body of Christ, the Church, should look like. Beware, it will challenge everything that you have been brought up to believe as functional in "ministry." It will challenge your concept of "ministry." If you are a believer in the risen and only Savior, Jesus Christ, but think you are a "non professional" minister and only a "lay leader," be prepared to remove the scales from your eyes because; you are the minister! This book will get you into the game! The clock is running and the Holy Spirit is calling. Will you answer?
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5.0 out of 5 starsMaking sense of a paradigm shift
By A. Minser on August 23, 2004
Format: Paperback
Reading this book helped me understand where and how my pastor was leading us and why. I highly recommend this book to others who wonder how the church can be more effective in today's time and culture. I also highly recommend it to the 20% of the church that is doing 80% of the work. We do not need to do it all...
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5.0 out of 5 starsYes, he really did say that.
By Amazon Customer on February 5, 2013
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I had to read this book for a class. However, my favorite chapter was not a part of our assigned reading. Greg Ogden thinks outside of the church box. If you're wondering why the people in your church can't seem to grasp the vision, why 20 percent do most of the work, then you should read this book. You may not like the answers you find, but the answers are correct. Odgen exposes the caste system in Christianity that many did not even know was there.
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5.0 out of 5 starsFrom Institution to Organism
By Amazon Customer on October 28, 2014
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Excellent book that explains the biblical precedence for equipping believers with an "every member a minister" paradigm. This is an update from the original version but I think Ogden needs to consider updating this again to include examples of churches who have made the transition from institution to organism so we can see just how the implementation of his paradigm works in the real world.
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5.0 out of 5 starsAn important message
By Amazon Customer on February 14, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
The work of the church cannot be delegated to the pastor--it is the church's work, and the church is people. Everyone who is born of the Spirit has at least one gift that is to be used for ministry. Not only is it impossible for a pastor to take everyone else's responsibility for ministry, it is also harmful for the layperson's spirituality. Spiritual growth requires exercising our own gifts and faith, and just as we cannot delegate physical exercise to another, we can't be healthy and grow unless we ourselves exercise our spiritual gifts in the work of ministry. All these points and more are found in this book, which makes it an essential book for every Christian, and especially leaders in the church or other ministry organizations.
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4.0 out of 5 starsFabulous Book!! - Could Be a Bit More Radical in Some Areas...
By M. Sanchez on May 18, 2006
Format: Paperback
This is an absolutely marvelous, life-changing book. I picked it up this past week, and I believe that it will be pivotal as my husband and I (both of us are evangelical seminarians) figure out the type of church that we would like to plant one day. Ogden works out the theology of the priesthood of believers quite thoroughly, taking it out to its logical and thrilling conclusions.

In the beginning pages he quotes Martin Luther who said, "Let everyone, therefore, who knows himself to be a Christian be assured of this...that we are all priests, and there is no difference between us." This statement really sounds a lot like what our founding fathers wrote when they proudly proclaimed, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." We now know, of course, that this affirmation was surely not universally applied from the very beginning. What the founding fathers REALLY meant was that "all white males are created equal." It would take centuries for their radical statement to work itself out and also include blacks (post the abolition of slavery/Civil War in 1865) and women (who were denied the vote until 1920!!) The Protestant Reformation, Ogden masterfully argues, is not all that different. Luther, Calvin, and others might have claimed that we are all priests - but they only partially finished the job of working this idea out to its most radical conclusions. Today, the continuing Protestant fixation on "ordination" has essentially created a new priesthood and a stringent divide between the "clergy" and the "laity." This is really quite unfortunate, since, as Ogden shows, much of this is essentially indefensible according to a Protestant reading of Scripture.Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

as described

Published 22 days ago by Erik Nielsen
4.0 out of 5 starsSomething to be said- Something to be heard 4.5 STARS

There is truth in Greg's writing but I also believe that this truth, as with all truth found in Gods word, must be crafted and applied by the Holy Spirit. Read more

Published 5 months ago by Paul
4.0 out of 5 starsGood book overall.

Good book. Had to have for one of my classes at school. Very good eyeopener.

Published 17 months ago by Mikala Sebren
3.0 out of 5 starsNew Wine? Yes!!! New Wineskins? No!!!

I bought this book because one of the guys in the group we're meeting with recommended it to me and I wanted to see where he was coming from. Read more

Published 19 months ago by JW
5.0 out of 5 starsTransformational :)

This book really challenged me to live a more impactful and purposeful life of organism ministry. It really brought me back to what ministry is really about :)

Published 19 months ago by Lauren
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat book

The author hit the nail on the head on leadership and what each of us are called to do. It s our job as ministers to be servant leaders and to empower and equip new generations of... Read more

Published on April 5, 2014 by David Messenger
3.0 out of 5 starsRead it for a class

It has some valid points that WE are the church, not the clergy and they should be working for us. That said, we are ALL responsible for guiding the church and being part of the... Read more

Published on March 21, 2013 by RopeMan
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat book for pastors or other church leaders

This book really resonated with trends that I have seen in the church. I appreciate Ogden's perspective and found it very helpful as I engage in day-to-day ministry with... Read more

Published on January 4, 2013 by Joe
5.0 out of 5 starsUnfinished Business: Returning the ministry to the People of God

Very good Book. Very informative and educational. I learned a lot and has shared what I learned with many others.

Published on December 14, 2012 by Katina Perry
5.0 out of 5 starsA Quality Book

This is a book that I will keep in my library. It is a must for every Pastor and laypersons seeking to improve the church and the Ministry for Jesus Christ. <><

Published on November 5, 2006 by Robert Vanwalsum

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