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Posted November 14, 2003 Book: Ministries: A Relational Approach Author: Edward P. Hahnenberg The Crossroads Publishing Company, New York, pp. 264 Excerpt from Introduction: Our discussion comes in the middle of things. It seeks a dialogue between the two conversations, respecting tradition theologies while recognizing changing patterns of ministry. It affirms the central leadership roles of priest and bishop; and, at the same time, it encourages the broader ministry of all the baptized. For ministry is diminished when it is seen exclusively as the work of the priest, the special reserve of the cleric, just as it is cheapened when the fullness of Christian ministry is equated with every good deed. Ministry is at the same time both broad and specific. Ministry in the church are those relationships of service that celebrate and carry forward Christ’s mission in the Spirit. We want to draw together reflection on Christ’s mission in the Spirit within a trinitarian theology of ministry. Then we want to bring into dialogue the institutional church and the community of believers. Our discussion relates ordination, commissioning, and baptism as sources for ministry. In the end, our discussion offers not a definitive program for ministry nor a comprehensive system; instead it suggests a language, a new framework for further conversations. Excerpts from Book: "Theologians following Vatican II questioned the very need for a theology of laity, particularly a theology that divides a secular laity from a sacred priesthood. Isn’t the starting point for talking about ministry the whole church, the people of God and body of Christ? And isn’t it the entire church — clergy and laity — that has a responsibility to serve the world? Only within the context of the whole community can distinctions among ministries be identified. The dividing-line model is replaced by a model of concentric circles: ministries within communities." "If for Paul the gifts of the Spirit and central ministries (such as apostle, prophet, or teacher) went hand in hand, later church tradition saw tension and even opposition between charism and institution. Over time the free activity of the Spirit in individuals came to be seen as a threat to church order. The inspired charismatic was not to be celebrated, but controlled. Today attitudes have changed. Developing the insights of the Second Vatican Council, theologians now speak of charisms as ordinary and widespread and see all ministry rooted in these gifts of the Spirit." Table of Contents: 1. The starting point for a theology of ministry Clergy vs. laity Ministries within community 2. The Triune God The relation of ministry to Jesus Christ The relation of ministry to the Holy Spirit Trinitarian foundations for a theology of ministry 3. The Church community The Church as institution The Church as mystery The Church as ordered communion and ministry 4. Liturgy and sacrament Ordination as a source of ministry Baptism as a source of mnistry Toward a liturgical and sacramental ordering of all ministries 5. A new vision for new ministries Aids for ministry General reference works Church documents on ministry Books on the theology of ministry Websites related to ministry in the Catholic Church Other Catholic publications online |