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THE REBIRTH OF MINISTRY by James D. Smart

THE REBIRTH OF MINISTRY

By

Publisher: Westminster Press

James Smart has brought to his discussion of the Christian Ministry a new and fresh approach that should be intriguing to many readers. He is not interested in the ministry primarily as an institution or even an Order of the Church, but rather considers it as a function of Christ's Living Body. He takes his guide lines from the form of Jesus' ministry, and then traces the kind of ministry which Scripture indicates, in both Old and New Testaments. This functional ministry is concerned with teaching, preaching, pastoral care and theological interpretation, and is different in kind as well as in quality from the ministry of all believers, who are nevertheless bound in one function of the ministry together with the professional, because the Gospel is one. Hence this book is worth the attention of any clergyman who seeks to deepen the motivation and understanding he has of his task. In particular, Mr. Smart has something to say to all interested in the ecumenical movement. And the distinction at the functional level between the ordained and lay ministry should be of real interest to lay Church leaders who seek an understanding of their own peculiar function. Fortunately, the book is very readable.