Thom Bandy, Why Should I Believe You: Rediscovering Clergy Credibility. Abingdon Press, 2007.
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LifeandLeadership.com Summary
Though the title would have you believe this book is about ministerial ethics or credibility. It is more accurately about restoring a biblical sense of the ministry role.
The book has only two long chapters. Chapter 1, A Critical View from the Outside, expands on one of Bandy’s main points: “The functions of church leadership are driven by the needs of the mission field, not by the convenience of the institutional church.” (1) He continues, “Fundamentally, the crisis of clergy credibility today is a result of centuries of denial or indifference to this basic assumption.” (2) This is partly due to the fact that “the church is addicted to the church. It does not hunger and thirst for and desire unity with Jesus Christ, because it does not strive and risk and sacrifice everything to join Christ in mission.” (3) He provides anecdotes from history to demonstrate the crisis is not new, but has waxed and waned throughout history on up to the present day. Chapter 2, A Faithful Response from the Inside, offers a view of ministry based on a “compulsion for Christ.”
Thom Bandy always writes in a lucid, no-nonsense, and inspiring manner. On the other hand he has a tendency to create false dichotomies such as ordination/credentials vs. authenticity, mentoring community vs. seminary, etc. Yet, few are as unflinching in their insistence on missional focus, and for this reason they are a helpful read on the nature of the ministry call. Two editorial reviewers express it well:
William Willimon: “Tom Bandy has an attitude. His attitude is positively apostolic. Few people get the church in motion and sent out in mission as well as Tom. In this book, Tom raises the bar on pastoral credibility to include credible, transformative leadership. A wonderful resource for our work.”
Brian McLaren: “Tom Bandy’s work – whether in person or in print – consistently stimulates and stretches my thinking and my faith. Hes refreshingly deep, extraordinarily articulate, broadly accessible, and intensely committed to the mission of Jesus Christ: a needed and rare combination. I continually meet people who have been helped, even liberated, by his growing body of faithful and intelligent work.”
From the Publisher
In this hard-hitting new book, Tom Bandy locates the real reasons for the crisis in clergy credibility and suggests ways that congregational leaders can become people who matter to a culture that desperately needs Jesus, but doubts it needs the church.
About the Author
Thomas G. Bandy is President of Easum, Bandy and Associates, a leading church consulting firm.
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