The Journey of Ministry

These days, everybody wants the latest killer app for successful ministry. But ministry is not plug-and-play technology. It is an art cultivated over a long-term journey of faithfulness and perseverance.In his most intimate book yet, Eddie Gibbs articulates a personal philosophy of ministry born from his storied career in teaching and pastoral ministry. Through images from his own life and family, Gibbs shows how effective ministry is a matter of walking slowly with the family of God, overcoming hurdles and facing challenges together. He explains how the networking nature of the early church offers helpful models for connecting in our fragmented technological age. Linking fresh biblical exposition with our contemporary realities, Gibbs gives practical advice for welcoming people into the family and helping them live out God's intentions for them.If you want your ministry to last, learn from those who have gone the distance. Discover here insights that will help you lead and serve for the long haul.



Eddie Gibbs is senior professor in the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and a senior adviser to the Brehm Center for Worship, Theology and the Arts. His seminars for church leaders about leadership in the emerging church have been held in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Australia, South Africa and around the United States. Gibbs has also written several books, including Good News Is for Sharing, Ten Growing Churches, In Name Only, ChurchNext, LeadershipNext and (with Ryan Bolger) Emerging Churches.



Richard J. Mouw (PhD, University of Chicago) now serves as professor of faith and public life after twenty years as president of Fuller Theological Seminary. He has written over twenty books on topics of social ethics, philosophy of culture and interfaith dialogue, including Uncommon Decency, The Challenges of Cultural Discipleship, Praying at Burger King, The God Who Commands, Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport, The Smell of Sawdust and Talking with Mormons: An Invitation to Evangelicals.A leader in interfaith theological conversations, particularly with Mormons and Jewish groups, Mouw served for six years as co-chair of the official Reformed-Catholic Dialogue and as president of the Association of Theological Schools. For seventeen years he was a professor of philosophy at Calvin College and in 2007, Princeton Theological Seminary awarded him the Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life.

Foreword By Richard Mouw


Introduction - Including: We Each Have a Place in The Family


1. Walking: A Lifelong Journey in a Different Direction


2. Hurdling: Naming and Overcoming Obstacles to Progress


3. Dying: A Fruitful Way to Live


4. Teambuilding: Determined Walking and Working Alongside Others


5. Networking: Expanding Our Horizons in a Shrinking World


6. Communicating: Creative Engagement in Every Area of Life


7. Recollecting: Staying Open To God's Unexpected Plans