It’s Not About You: Paradoxes of Christian Leadership
Author: Elizabeth Beasley
ISBN: 978-0-99-805164-2
Genre: Practical Theology
Publication Date: June 2023
Size: A5 (8.27 x 5.83 inches)
Binding: Paper
Page Count: 312
Price: €30.00
It’s Not About You: Paradoxes of Christian Leadership presents a basic paradox in ministry: The purpose of ministry is to point attention to God, but much of contemporary ministry points attention back to the clergy, and the primary tool that ministers have is who they are. One can easily get the sense “It’s all about you.”
In the face of this paradox, and given the lack of structure in ministry, Christian leaders need a rule of life in order to be faithful to the promises they have made and keep their attention on God and the people among whom they serve.
Through exercises and reflection questions, this book guides clergy, those preparing for ordination, and other Christian leaders in composing a rule of life so as to navigate the demands of ministry.
The book is also useful for those who wish to understand the way of life necessary for leadership in the church.
“A Trail Guide to Christian living for those who want to lead the way.”
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part 1: To Begin…
1. What Is a Rule of Life?
2. Don’t Hurry: The Pace of Time
Part 2: The Basics
3. God and People: Navigating Two Worlds
4. Prayer: The Essential Task
5. Pastoral Care: “Talk Story”
6. Relationships: Boundaries, Friendships, and Other Thorny Issues
Part 3: The Central Tasks of Ministry
7. Worship: Opening a Lens on the Realm of God
8. Reading and Study: Read, Mark, Learn, and Inwardly Digest
9. Preaching: The Word
10. Paradoxes of Preaching: Passing Life Through the Fire of Thought
Part 4: A Pause in Time
11. Sabbath: When Time Stops
12. Keeping Sabbath: What Do We Do?
Part 5: Daily Life
13. Money: Relinquishing Money’s Hold on Us
14. The Body: An Asset and a Liability
15. The Personhood of the Parson
Notes
Resources
The Author:
Ordained in the Episcopal Church, Elizabeth Beasley has served in the ministry for nearly three decades in two countries and a variety of cultures. She has served as a parish minister and as second-in-command in an Episcopal diocese. She is an Honorary Canon for life at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Honolulu, Hawaii, in recognition of her work with people preparing for ministry, especially for ordination. She currently lives with her husband in the west of Ireland and is a priest in the Church of Ireland.