The Teaching Ministry Of Congregations

by Osmer, Richard Robert

• ISBN13: 9780664225476
• ISBN10: 0664225470
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-06-30
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Pr

Summary

In this important and groundbreaking book, Richard Osmer develops a practical theology of the teaching ministry. He begins by exploring the teaching ministry of the apostle Paul, identifying in Paul's letters to his congregations the core tasks of the teaching ministry: catechesis, exhortation, and discernment. Next he presents case studies of the teaching ministries of three contemporary congregations--one in the United States, one in Korea, and one in South Africa--developing interpretive perspectives on the teaching ministry. Finally he focuses on the development of action-guiding models and guidelines and explores helpful methods for guiding the teaching ministries of one's own particular congregation.

Author Biography

Richard Robert Osmer is Thomas W. Synnott Professor of Christian Education at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction	xi
Part 1. Paul's Teaching Ministry: Catechesis, Exhortation, and Discernment	1	(56)
Introduction to Part One	3	(54)
1. The Purpose of Paul's Teaching Ministry in Congregations	10	(16)
2. Three Tasks of Paul's Teaching Ministry: Catechesis, Exhortation, and Discernment	26	(31)
Part 2. Framing the Teaching Ministry of Congregations: Practices, Curriculum, Leadership, and Pilgrimage	57	(140)
Introduction to Part Two	59	(138)
3. Three Case Study Congregations	67	(20)
4. Somang Presbyterian Church of Seoul, Korea: The Practices of a Congregation Living under the Word	87	(26)
5. Nassau Presbyterian Church, Princeton, New Jersey: The Curriculum of a Congregation Living in Hope	113	(34)
6. The Uniting Reformed Church of Stellenbosch, South Africa: Leadership in the Spirit of Belhar	147	(27)
7. The Pilgrimage Frame: Evoking and Nurturing the Vocations of Individuals	174	(23)
Part 3. Inside the Artist's Studio: Refashioning Your Congregation's Teaching Ministry	197	(106)
Introduction to Part Three	199	(59)
8. Theo-Drama: Divine and Human Action	203	(34)
9. Catechesis: A Dramatological Model	237	(21)
10. Exhortation: Moral Formation and Education in the Congregation	258	(25)
11. Discernment: New Practices for Contemporary Congregations	283	(20)
Epilogue	303	(15)
Notes	318	(23)
Name Index	341	(3)
Subject Index	344