Patterns of Ministry among the First Christians: Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged
Ebook
Overview
This new edition of Patterns of Ministry Among the First Christians tells the story of how the first Christian leaders emerged and, with the passing of time, developed. The book includes sections on Jesus and Paul and their understanding of Christian leadership, on bishops, deacons, elders, apostles, prophets, and teachers, and on ordination. The focus is primarily on the first century but historical development is noted. The author also discuses the ways the New Testament may speak to the present.
“With engaging and sometimes witty prose, Giles explores
Scripture honestly to discern patterns of church leadership. Giles
shows how Scripture challenges many assumptions about ministry in
most churches today. I have learned from this work, and I find his
conclusions eminently fair, balanced, and reasonable, and most of
them persuasive.”
—Craig S. Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical
Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary
“Kevin Giles offers a welcomed update to his compelling account of
the ministry and offices of the early church. A judicious and
balanced treatment on everything the New Testament says about
spiritual gifts, servant leadership, and leading a group of
Christian believers in community. Sure to be a popular
volume.”
—Michael F. Bird, Lecturer in Theology, Ridley College, Melbourne,
Australia
“Down the centuries, church traditions of varying kinds have
allowed huge growth to take place in the garden of church
leadership which has smothered the original plants that were there.
Expertly using the tools of scholarship, Giles hacks it all down to
expose the original patterns of ministry. He wears the scholarship
lightly and has produced an eminently clear book which drives us to
radical conclusions with which the contemporary church needs to
engage. This should be compulsory reading on all ministerial
training courses and read by any concerned with church
leadership.”
—Derek Tidball, Former Principal of London School of Theology;
author of Skilful Shepherds and Ministry
by the Book: New Testament Patterns of Pastoral
Leadership
“I highly recommend Patterns of Ministry among the First
Christians as it meets a great need for right
understanding of Biblical Leadership in the time we live. It is an
extraordinary, well written, and well documented book on how
leadership and church structure is expressed in the New Testament,
helping us to avoid simplified and rash conclusions in applying
these principles in the twenty-first-century.”
—Kent Jakobsen, Principal, Danish Pentecostal Bible College
Product Details
- Title : Patterns of Ministry among the First Christians: Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged
- Author: Giles, Kevin
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Publication Date: 2017
- ISBN: 9781625641595
Kevin Giles is an Australian-ordained Anglican minister who was
in parish ministry for over forty years. He has published on the
doctrine of the church, church health, the leadership of the
church, Lucan theology, women in leadership, and the Trinity. He is
married to Lynley, a marriage counselor. They have four married
children and eleven grandchildren.