James W. Thompson

“Paul’s goal is the transformation of the community that will turn from self-centeredness to a corporate existence shaped primarily by the love exhibited by the self-denial of Jesus.”
― James W. Thompson, Pastoral Ministry according to Paul: A Biblical Vision

“Paul’s pastoral theology, which is largely ignored in contemporary conversations about the nature of the ministry, offers valuable insights for our own understanding. He challenges the individualism of our culture by insisting on a corporate understanding of the Christian faith. He envisions a community composed of people from a variety of backgrounds who are brought together by a shared story of the one who gave himself for others and who are sustained by the constant reminder of this narrative. As he articulates the goals of his ministry through his prayers, he offers insights for the outcome of our own work. If we adopt the Pauline understanding, we will work with God for church growth that consists of an increase in ethical sensitivity and care for others within the community. We will challenge the self-centeredness of our own society, measuring our effectiveness by the community’s capacity to live in harmony with each other.”
― James W. Thompson, Pastoral Ministry according to Paul: A Biblical Vision