Susan Willhauck, Ministry Unplugged: Uncommon Calls to Serve. Chalice Press, 2010.
Referenced in: Social Ministry Strategies
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
The sub-title expresses the purpose of this book very well, “uncommon calls to serve.” It is designed for those who do not feel “called” into conventional forms of ministry, but still have an urge toward kingdom outreach. In the words of the author, “This book explores out of the ordinary expressions of the call to ministry and tells stories of passionate people involved in those ministries.” The purpose is to “spark congregational imagination about hwo to ministers for Jesus Christ and to invite you to take a flying leap of faith into these questions and into the world.” (20)
The book opens with theological reflections on the relationship between ministry, daily life, and work. From there, it tells the stories of several uncommon calls. These include a “Big Hair” salon ministry, an outreach to the poor through and in a garbage dump, a ministry that provides shoes for the homeless, an effort to extend hospitality to migrant workers, and others.
Publisher’s Product Description
Ministry can take place in the most unusual places and in the most unusual ways- and it should. Ministry Unplugged: Uncommon Calls to Serve explores out-of-the-ordinary expressions of the call to ministry, telling stories of passionate people involved in ministry in uncommon ways and places in order to spark congregational imagination about ways to be ministers for Jesus Christ.
Read of a hair salon that not only preaches the Gospel but is named Christ Did It All Hair Salon, clowns that share the Good News, a bistro-style restaurant alternative to the soup kitchen for the homeless in Atlanta, and other inspiring stories.
This book will help congregations and individuals to re-think assumptions about what ministry is, who can be in ministry, where it can be done and how it can be done. Questions are included at the end of each chapter for individual or group discussion.
About the Author
Susan Willhauck is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She holds a Ph.D. in Religious Education and Catechetics from The Catholic University of America, a Master of Theological Studies from Wesley Theological Seminary, and a B.A. from Emory and Henry College. She is currently a consultant with and co-researcher for the Lead Women Pastors Project of the United Methodist Church.
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