Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Alban Books
Pages: 242
•
Trim: 6½ x 9¼
978-1-56699-766-9 • Hardback • December 2014 • $67.00 • (£52.00)
978-1-56699-750-8 • Paperback • December 2014 • $32.00 • (£25.00)
978-1-56699-751-5 • eBook • December 2014 • $30.00 • (£25.00)
Norman B. Bendroth is the coordinator for clergy and church resources for the New England Pastoral Institute and a professional transitional minister ordained in the United Church of Christ. He has contributed articles to the Christian Century, Congregations, Reformed Worship, Perspectives and Sojourners.
Acknowledgments
PART ONE: Transitional Ministry for a New Day
CHAPTER ONE: Whither Transitional Ministry? by Norman B. Bendroth
CHAPTER TWO: A Theology of Transitional Ministry by David Sawyer
CHAPTER THREE: The Changing Landscape of the American Church by Cameron Trimble
CHAPTER FOUR: Focus Points and the Work of the Congregation by John Keydel
CHAPTER FIVE: Transitional Ministry as an Opportunity to Lead by Beverly A. Thompson and George B. Thompson, Jr.
CHAPTER SIX: Leadership Transition within Minority Churches by Bianca Duemling
PART TWO: New Models and Methods
CHAPTER SEVEN: The Role of Revitalization, Renewal or Redevelopment during the Interim Time by Michael Piazza
CHAPTER EIGHT: A Succession Approach by Anthony Robinson
CHAPTER NINE: An Appreciative Inquiry Approach by Rob Voyle
CHAPTER TEN: A Trauma Treatment Model for Interim Work with Chronically Dysfunctional Congregations by Deborah Pope-Lance
CHAPTER ELEVEN: Hospice Care by Gretchen J. Switzer
CHAPTER TWELVE: What’s Next? by Norman Bendroth
Bibliography
About the Authors
Norman Bendroth assembles a dozen chapter authors, each with special expertise in some area of church transition, to help wise churches that want to address their needed changes. There are numerous applications in each chapter that could be applied to any church transition, so reader would do well to read more than the chapters that specifically draw them to this book. . . .There is ample analytical material, including looking at the context of church life today and a theological basis for transitional ministry. Lengthy end notes, bibliography and index will help serious scholars who want to dig further. In fact, Transitional Ministry Today is a textbook for a doctoral seminar at Dallas Baptist University. The strength of the book, however, is the gift of being extremely practical. In every instance, it provides practical definitions of the basic issues, clear descriptions of the challenges that will be faced and tasks that must be accomplished to address each transition situation—usually from the chapter author’s own ministry. This book will remain close at hand to refer to again and again.
— The Baptist Standard
This is a profound book. This book shows the deep currents at work in the churches that make ALL pastors sojourners in a changing world. We are ALL transition ministers, lay and clergy, all the time. To be alive in ministry today, you are in a confusing wilderness. This book can be a guide to your never-ending transition.
— Loren B. Mead, Episcopal priest, teacher, and consultant
Norman Bendroth has collected an ensemble of contrasting voices to address the needs of congregations in transition. In these pages, readers will find inspiration, challenge, and a variety of ideas that are worth a try.
— Dan Hotchkiss, author of Governance and Ministry: Rethinking Board Leadership
This book is an excellent compilation of new thinking about the context, theology, and tools for interim/transitional ministry. Knowing that all congregations are in transition, this offers new thought about how they are able to think about and manage their time in-between.
— Margaret Bain, Interim Minister, United Church of Canada
Transitional Ministry Today is an invitation to fresh thinking and new practices and directions regarding pastoral transition in congregations. This book will help shape this important conversation and is "must" reading for those who work with local faith communities in times of pastoral change.
— William McKinney, President Emeritus, Pacific School of Religion