Handbook of Christian Ministry

There are many situations we find ourselves in as Christians that are difficult to handle. In this warm and compassionate handbook John Pritchard offers an easy-to-navigate source of advice on how to respond to the needs of others. It draws on his extensive experience, and his companion volume The Life and Work of a Priest, which has become a classic.Laid out in an accessible A-Z format, the Handbook for Christian Ministry is for both lay and ordained Christians wanting to make the most of the ministries God has called them into.With 'tail pieces' and 'quick ideas' featured throughout, readers will learn of real-life examples and be able to put their understanding into practise. With activities such as creating a visual map of The Holy Land, setting up a pastoral visiting team or running a storytelling workshop, this handbook will equip Christians with a variety of skills to help them make the most of their calling.

With his usual wisdom and good humour, John Pritchard writes for anyone and everyone curious about the varied work of ministry. This book will refresh and illuminate your perspective on what it means to participate in the growing of God’s Kingdom., Dipping again into John Pritchard's The Life and Work of a Priest for this review reminded me what a remarkable, wise, and humane book it is. It covers just about everything parish life might throw at clergy. Well, not quite everything. If you're troubled by sylvan revels or cohabiting bandits, I'm afraid you're on your own., This wonderful volume . . . must become the set book for ordinands. The content is refreshingly sane and intelligent; the experience shines through from the author, both as priest, Bishop and theological teacher., This is an unusually honest book. Its analysis is plain-spoken and compassionate, and what Bishop John has to say about finding ways to live constructively with times of emptiness is superbly well focused. You'll emerge from reading this with – probably – relief that a widespread set of challenges has been so sensitively identified and – certainly – with gratitude for sensible, durable advice on how to go on making friends with the mystery we can never digest or contain., What a courageous book! . . . full of hope and full of God.

The Rt Revd John Pritchard was the Bishop of Oxford. He has written many well-received books, including How to Pray, The Intercessions Handbook and The Life and Work of a Priest, all published by SPCK.