THE SEVEN WORLDS OF THE MINISTER

by Gerald Kennedy ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 10, 1968

In this book one of the bishops of the Methodist church seeks to bolster the morale of the clergy by offering counsel on the seven functions, or ""worlds,"" that make up the minister's role. He dismisses criticisms and dismal prophecies about the future of the church and its ministry with the rebuttal that we always have had such criticisms. They are part of the price of the renewal of the church. Much of the ""noise"" about the laity in the church is an old truth; and the views of Bishop Robinson are nothing new. Bishop Kennedy has heard them all his life. From such a standpoint of omniscience the reader will be prepared to have the author discuss preaching without reference to contemporary studies in communication, administration without notice of theories of organizational procedures, pastoral care without much notice of psychotherapy, and theologizing without mention of the crucial trends on theology now occupying the thoughtful leaders of the church. The development is anecdotal, the tone hortatory. The seven worlds described have had their place in the tradition of the clergy. Unfortunately, they do not seem to have much relevance to the contemporary world. Mainly for clergy who want to be reassured.

Pub Date: April 10, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper & Row

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1968

Categories: NONFICTION