Preachers and Misfits, Prophets and Thieves : The Minister in Southern Fiction

by Ramsey, G. Lee, Jr.

• ISBN13: 9780664232245
• ISBN10: 0664232248
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-10-31
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Pr

Summary

Lee Ramsey mines the riches of southern fiction and discovers a colorful assortment of ministers who arise out of the religious South. At once mystical and mischievous, these ministers haunt the margins of southern life while preaching a gospel that startles and compels. But their oddness is also their appealand part of their gift. For through these colorful portraits of Christian ministry, todays readers are challenged to think about what matters in ministry and to reimagine ministry in ways that bring new life to the church and community. Throughout, Ramsey shows how ministers such as Roger Hagan in Will Campbells The Convention and Hazel Motes in Flannery OConnors Wise Blood can help show us the stumbling blocks to faithful ministry and steer clergy and congregations forward in todays world.

Table of Contents

Whose Voice Is That? The Vocation of the Minister and Southern Fiction	p. 1
Riding the Word: The Minister as Preacher	p. 14
Giving Them Transcendence: Ralph Ellison, Juneteenth
Too Good a Community to Be Tore Apart by Arguin': Terry Kay, The Year the Lights Came On
Lower than a Snake's Belly: Michael Morris, A Place Called Wiregrass
You Didn't Even Count Before: The Minister as Evangelist	p. 28
Baptizing Your Pain in the River of Life: Flannery O'Connor, "The River"
Behold, the Zombie of the Empty: Barry Hannah, Yonder Stands Your Orphan
Pour Out Your Hearts: The Minister as Pastor	p. 43
I'm Strongly in Favor of Prayer, but ... : William Hoffman, "The Question of Rain"
We Use Only First Names in Our Place of Worship: Anne Tyler, Saint Maybe
Lift Up Your Hearts: The Minister as Priest	p. 58
I Could Not Have Told Anyone Else: Walker Percy, Lancelot
The Grace of Daily Obligations: Gail Godwin, Evensong
Lying and Conniving and Claiming It as Heaven-Sent: The Minister as Con Man, Seducer, and Thief	p. 73
God Don't Eat Okra: Zora Neale Hurston, Jonah's Gourd Vine
Lying, Cheating, and Stealing to Arrive at the Ultimate Good: Martin Clark, Plain Heathen Mischief
A Good Church Slogan Is Hard to Come By: The Minister as Church Politician, Institutional Salesman, and Company Manager	p. 87
God Wants It Done Now: Will Campbell, The Convention
He's on His Way Up: Cassandra King, The Sunday Wife
Burning Coals upon Their Lips: The Minister as Prophet	p. 100
Changed Just about Everything Round Here: Ernest Gaines, In My Father's House
Relieving the Suffering of Old Folks at Homes: Clyde Edgerton, Lunch at the Piccadilly
Signs Will Follow Them That Believe: The Minister as Misfit and Mystic	p. 114
If You've Been Redeemed, I Wouldn't Want to Be: Flannery O'Connor, Wise Blood
Taking Up Serpents: Lee Smith, Saving Grace
Out in the Open: The Minister as Community Person	p. 128
Nothing out of the Ordinary: Richard Bausch, "Design"
Epilogue	p. 137
Permissions	p. 141
Notes	p. 143
Selected Bibliography	p. 157
Index	p. 161
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