Envisioning the Congregation, Practicing the Gospel: A Guide for Pastors and Lay Leaders

by John W. Stewart

Overview

This accessible and instructive book is designed to equip lay leaders of Protestant churches to better envision and practice gospel-driven ministry and mission in contemporary society.

Seasoned pastor and practical theologian John Stewart presents and explains five biblically mandated, foundational practices for being and nurturing the church: fellowship, discipleship, witness, service, and worship. Stewart argues that these five practices are normative, indispensable, and doable for congregations that seek to remain faithful to their risen Lord, and he offers memorable, achievable models of ways they are already being used in current mainline congregations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467442848
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	06/13/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	417 KB

About the Author

John W. Stewart (1934–2023) was the Ralph B. and Helen S. Ashenfelter Associate Professor of Ministry and Evangelism Emeritus at Princeton Theological Seminary. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church, Stewart served as pastor at churches in Pennsylvania and Michigan and authored numerous books and articles on Presbyterian history.

Table of Contents

Preface viii

Acknowledgments x

1 Reimagining the Future of Protestant Congregations 1

2 Cultural Impulses in American Congregations 8

3 The Gospel in Four Dimensions 30

4 On Practices 57

5 Practicing the Arts of Belonging: Koinonia 65

6 Practicing the Arts of Discipleship: Mathetes 91

7 Practicing the Arts of Witnessing: Martyria 116

8 Practicing the Arts of Serving: Diakonia 137

9 Practicing the Arts of Worship: Leitourgia, Part One - Word, Sacraments, Prayer 157

10 Practicing the Arts of Worship: Leitourgia, Part Two - Community, Family Personal 178

Afterword 200

Works Cited 202

Index 213

Editorial Reviews

E. Stanley Ott
-- author of Twelve Dynamic Shifts for Transforming Your Church
“With a wonderful confluence of pastoral experience and academic excellence, John Stewart offers a tour de force that will be an enduring text for church members, pastors, and seminary students. I look forward to putting this book into the hands of those whose heart's desire is for their congregations to be increasingly alive, vital, and faithful.

From the Publisher