Last week, I received a copy of Reframing Hope Vital Ministry in a New Generation by Carol Howard Merritt. This book is a must read for anyone interested in the future vitality of the church (or even wanting a church to be vital today).
In 1998, I was ordained as a pastor. I immediately went to my first church as an Associate Pastor and discovered a few things. Older pastors would try and mentor me and give me wonderful advice……but at times their advice wasn’t helpful. They were used to “doing” ministry a certain way and they didn’t notice that society has changed. Just because something is new and different, doesn't make it better; it's just different. Carol also acknowledges that some things never change, ministry is still sharing the Gospel and being the body of Christ for the world.
The book begins with two simple questions “what does the substance of hope look like right now, in the midst of these rapidly flowing currents? what is our vision of hope when it is framed in a new generation?” (page 8)
According to M-W.com Hope is to cherish a desire with anticipation. But do we hope in the church? How we have done ministry for years can’t be the way we do ministry in the future. But the general concept of ministry is the same. It used to be to communicate with members, pastors would call them on the phone or go to their home for a visit. But Carol points out the connections that can be made through email, facebook and twitter (where I became friends with her).
Carol writes about creating vital ministry for the next generation adapting ideas from the past. She finds the best of the past and adapts it for the future. Carol also recognizes the pain that the past has caused and how we must reframe how we view the past, the present and the future. Hope looks different to everyone. But what matters is that it is hope. In Reframing Hope, Carol looks at what ministry for a new generation might look like. She looks at not how we do it for them, but how we do ministry with them. I have to admit that as I was reading the book, I wasn’t just thinking about the impact this book would have on Millennials, but about my generation, Generation X. Carol helps us see ministry in the future by being attentive to what people actually need and want rather than what we think they need and want.
I am giving away a copy of Carol's book on September 17th. Please leave a comment if you want a chance to win it for free. I think book can be helpful to anyone involved in ministry who wants to make an impact.
8 comments:
Wait. What? Free book giveaway. I'm in! Totally want to read Carol's book. I think of hope often in the context of my rural congregation in a dwindling town. It definitely needs some reframing.
I am really excited about This read. We can not do church the same way we always have and Carol's forward thinking and creative approach to doing church is inspiring and energizing. I can't wait to read Reframing Hope!
@Adam in my opinion a free book is always good, but Carol's book free is even better
@K it truly is an inspiring book
I've been thinking of getting this book to read for a while now... Thanks for the encouraging post! Called to Hope that does not disappoint....
As a fellow Gen Xer, I struggle with how do we keep ministry authentically centered on Christ and still reach those who have grown up in the current culture...especially when looking at worship styles. So much of the praise & worship music is fluff while so many of the old hymns are so strong theologically...do we compromise the theology in hopes of drawing the younger generation to worship. (Don't get me wrong, I listen to Christian radio and LOVE praise and worship music...I just get tired of some of the 7/11 songs that really don't say much.)
I'll be interested to read this book (even if I have to pay for it! :) )
@Rex Carol just has a way of writing that doesn't disappoint.
@Becca I hear the struggle. My installation service will be at a contemporary worship service and trying to balance the tradition with contemporary has been interesting. I just have to wait to see if it comes off correctly
I'm in. On the back end but in none-the-less. Can't wait to read it and reading it free would be such a bonus!
and the winner is K. Sloan! Congrats
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