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Ministry by the Book: New Testament Patterns for Pastoral Leadership
The New Testament writers set before us a number of models of ministry, each of which is shaped by the particular needs of the churches they were serving. Their own backgrounds, ambitions and passions also contribute to what they have to say about ministry. The contours of New Testament pastoral leadership, inspired by the Holy Spirit, exhibit a genuine diversity that finds its unity in Christ and his gospel. Focusing on pastoral leadership within local churches or groups of churches, Derek Tidball provides a comprehensive survey of these models and patterns with applications for today's ministry. Tidball's overview offers "models of permission" that enable a freer approach to ministry and the way it is conducted, challenges the stunted understanding of ministry that can often characterize our churches today, and gives encouragement to those who do not fit a "ministry by numbers" approach. Well-grounded in relevant scholarship, Tidball's fresh engagement with the biblical texts, stimulating analysis and wise application will be of value to all who are established in pastoral leadership, or training for it, and looking to explore a variety of biblically valid approaches to ministry.
- GenresTheologyLeadership
277 pages, Paperback
First published November 21, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 3, 2019
Subtitled “New Testament Patterns for Pastoral Leadership,” this rich and highly practical book addresses the topic book by book. Each chapter approaches the unique challenges and opportunities faced through the words of the New Testament authors. The chapter titles present the focus of each book, as follows:
Matthew - Ministry in a Divided Church (wise instruction)
Mark - Ministry in an Oppressed Culture (kingdom emissaries)
Luke - Ministry in a Graceless World (apostolic compassion)
John - Ministry in a Spiritual Desert (the Good Shepherd).
Acts - Ministry in an Emerging Church (community formation)
Paul - Ministry in an Infant Church (founding father)
Paul - Ministry in a Maturing Church (apostolic teacher)
Paul - Ministry in an Aging Church (elder statesman)
Hebrews - Ministry in a Faltering Church (reflective practitioner)
James - Ministry in a Half-Hearted Church (transparent wisdom)
1 Peter - Ministry in a Despised Church (seasoned elder)
John’s Letters - Ministry in a Compromised Church (experienced truth)
Jude, 2 Peter - Ministry in an Endangered Church - (pastoral polemics)
Revelation - Ministry in a Hostile World (prophetic proclamation)
The final chapter, Unity and Diversity in New Testament Ministry, deals with the following implications for:
Unity of the New Testament church
Individual ministers
Denominational understanding of ministry
Ecumenical understanding of ministry
In closing, the author states that there is no specific New Testament blueprint for ministry, but models that represent the emphases for the writers and the churches to which they were writing. However, says Tidball, there is clear coherence and unity,
Ministry is:
“about preaching the historic Jesus,
who is both Lord and Messiah,
in words and actions,
enabling people to respond to his message,
enter his kingdom,
and grow in appreciation of this gospel,
its depth and its implications,
and grow to maturity in Christ,
in the new community of which he is head,
whatever circumstances they face,
by people who are qualified in gift, understanding and holiness,
working together with others,
for the glory of God’s name” (p. 246).
Matthew - Ministry in a Divided Church (wise instruction)
Mark - Ministry in an Oppressed Culture (kingdom emissaries)
Luke - Ministry in a Graceless World (apostolic compassion)
John - Ministry in a Spiritual Desert (the Good Shepherd).
Acts - Ministry in an Emerging Church (community formation)
Paul - Ministry in an Infant Church (founding father)
Paul - Ministry in a Maturing Church (apostolic teacher)
Paul - Ministry in an Aging Church (elder statesman)
Hebrews - Ministry in a Faltering Church (reflective practitioner)
James - Ministry in a Half-Hearted Church (transparent wisdom)
1 Peter - Ministry in a Despised Church (seasoned elder)
John’s Letters - Ministry in a Compromised Church (experienced truth)
Jude, 2 Peter - Ministry in an Endangered Church - (pastoral polemics)
Revelation - Ministry in a Hostile World (prophetic proclamation)
The final chapter, Unity and Diversity in New Testament Ministry, deals with the following implications for:
Unity of the New Testament church
Individual ministers
Denominational understanding of ministry
Ecumenical understanding of ministry
In closing, the author states that there is no specific New Testament blueprint for ministry, but models that represent the emphases for the writers and the churches to which they were writing. However, says Tidball, there is clear coherence and unity,
Ministry is:
“about preaching the historic Jesus,
who is both Lord and Messiah,
in words and actions,
enabling people to respond to his message,
enter his kingdom,
and grow in appreciation of this gospel,
its depth and its implications,
and grow to maturity in Christ,
in the new community of which he is head,
whatever circumstances they face,
by people who are qualified in gift, understanding and holiness,
working together with others,
for the glory of God’s name” (p. 246).
February 8, 2022
This is a great analysis of what the New Testament says about pastoral leadership, even if it often feels more like a New Testament introduction (not that that’s a bad thing). I appreciate Tidball’s humility in emphasizing that we just don’t have enough evidence to push certain ecclesiastical doctrines too far, and I feel like his conclusion was worth the journey.
November 7, 2015
Ministry by the Book: New Testament Patterns for Pastoral Leadership by Derek Tidball provides what is in essence a New Testament biblical theology of pastoral ministry. Tidball in this work provides a valuable resource for all ministers in unfolding how ministry is presented in the New Testament.
Tidball explores the Gospels and Acts in the first five chapters of this work, arguing convincingly that there are clear intended implications for pastoral ministry in these works. Tidball engages and corrects those who would argue that certain gospel writers had nothing to say about the church as an entity or pastoral ministry. When I initially saw that he was going to address Paul’s writings in only three chapters I had concerns over how it could be done. Those concerns were removed in the way Tidball demonstrates how Paul’s ministry develops as the church ages, showing unique needs in ministry depending upon the age of a church. In the closing chapters of the book addresses the General Epistles and Revelation closing with a chapter drawing out some implications of this work for the ministers, the church, and denominations today.
Many works on pastoral ministry start with a predetermined view of pastoral ministry and seek to buttress that view with Scripture. Tidball, however, begins with Scripture and allows it to serve as the foundation for an understanding of pastoral ministry. Tidball argues for a flexible understanding of ministry and the role of the minister, recognizing from Scripture that different times and needs will require different approaches and gifting. Tidball does provide a caveat though in stating, “A model that is hierarchical, authoritarian, abusive, singular or exalts personality, or any model that exalts tasks to the exclusion of relationship, or growth to the exclusion of truth, would not be legitimate (238).” In light of many of the problems found in evangelicalism this is a needed reminder.
Finally this book should serve as a challenge to all those in ministry. Speaking as a pastor we are often terrible at assessing ourselves and our contexts. This book invites those who serve to assess themselves and their contexts. Tidball invites the reader to answer for themselves their calling, gifting, passions, and model of ministry while at the same time asking what the needs, threats, and opportunities of the local ministry are. Tidball states, “Bringing the answers to these two sets of questions together, by asking ‘Do I, with my particular gifts, fit this situation?’ should provide us with a clear indication of whether we are the right person to minister in this local church at this time or whether we are best to serve elsewhere (241).”
This book provides something not often found in books on pastoral ministry. It invites ministers to find where and how they fit in light of the types of ministry in the New Testament rather than forcing them into a one size fits all mold. I would say it should be required reading for any pastor.
Disclosure: I received this book free from InterVarsity Press for review purposes. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa....
Tidball explores the Gospels and Acts in the first five chapters of this work, arguing convincingly that there are clear intended implications for pastoral ministry in these works. Tidball engages and corrects those who would argue that certain gospel writers had nothing to say about the church as an entity or pastoral ministry. When I initially saw that he was going to address Paul’s writings in only three chapters I had concerns over how it could be done. Those concerns were removed in the way Tidball demonstrates how Paul’s ministry develops as the church ages, showing unique needs in ministry depending upon the age of a church. In the closing chapters of the book addresses the General Epistles and Revelation closing with a chapter drawing out some implications of this work for the ministers, the church, and denominations today.
Many works on pastoral ministry start with a predetermined view of pastoral ministry and seek to buttress that view with Scripture. Tidball, however, begins with Scripture and allows it to serve as the foundation for an understanding of pastoral ministry. Tidball argues for a flexible understanding of ministry and the role of the minister, recognizing from Scripture that different times and needs will require different approaches and gifting. Tidball does provide a caveat though in stating, “A model that is hierarchical, authoritarian, abusive, singular or exalts personality, or any model that exalts tasks to the exclusion of relationship, or growth to the exclusion of truth, would not be legitimate (238).” In light of many of the problems found in evangelicalism this is a needed reminder.
Finally this book should serve as a challenge to all those in ministry. Speaking as a pastor we are often terrible at assessing ourselves and our contexts. This book invites those who serve to assess themselves and their contexts. Tidball invites the reader to answer for themselves their calling, gifting, passions, and model of ministry while at the same time asking what the needs, threats, and opportunities of the local ministry are. Tidball states, “Bringing the answers to these two sets of questions together, by asking ‘Do I, with my particular gifts, fit this situation?’ should provide us with a clear indication of whether we are the right person to minister in this local church at this time or whether we are best to serve elsewhere (241).”
This book provides something not often found in books on pastoral ministry. It invites ministers to find where and how they fit in light of the types of ministry in the New Testament rather than forcing them into a one size fits all mold. I would say it should be required reading for any pastor.
Disclosure: I received this book free from InterVarsity Press for review purposes. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa....
June 29, 2015
Derek Tidball highlights that Jesus' pastoral ministry was to a group of disciples, or “learners”, and this learning took place within a community, “The community was not incidental to the learning process; the learning took place both in it and because of it.”
Tidball, in discussing pastoral leadership, says, “All ministry is about continuing the work (and works) of Jesus and teaching people to live under his rule, in his kingdom and in accordance with his truth.”
Derek Tidball advocates engaging with the wider community's pastoral needs, although he does caution the time and effort that is dispensed.
Fatigued pastors are likely to keep expending their personal lives in attempts to service the unlimited needs.
Derek Tidball highlights that Jesus' pastoral ministry was to a group of disciples, or “learners”, and this learning took place within a community, “The community was not incidental to the learning process; the learning took place both in it and because of it.”
Derek Tidball, Ministry by the Book: New Testament Patterns for Pastoral Leadership (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2008).
Tidball, in discussing pastoral leadership, says, “All ministry is about continuing the work (and works) of Jesus and teaching people to live under his rule, in his kingdom and in accordance with his truth.”
Derek Tidball advocates engaging with the wider community's pastoral needs, although he does caution the time and effort that is dispensed.
Fatigued pastors are likely to keep expending their personal lives in attempts to service the unlimited needs.
Derek Tidball highlights that Jesus' pastoral ministry was to a group of disciples, or “learners”, and this learning took place within a community, “The community was not incidental to the learning process; the learning took place both in it and because of it.”
Derek Tidball, Ministry by the Book: New Testament Patterns for Pastoral Leadership (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2008).
November 10, 2016
While I don't align with all of Tidball's assumptions (and therefore all of his conclusions) his text represents a necessary addition to the leadership discussion among faithful ministers. The title is misleading, and Tidball admits this. The book stands as something of a Biblical Theology of leadership and ecclesiology. His text was so enjoyable and studied, I chose to give it 5 stars.
October 23, 2013
enjoyed reading this as I read the NT through this year. starting with Matthew and finishing with Revelation, Tidball reflects on how ministry is understood and practised by the early church.
April 8, 2016
Great look at the ministry and to find it in the NT. It is very interesting to see how Tidball works through the text of scripture so systematically! Very good resource for Pastors.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews