Christian life and ministry is often difficult, discouraging, and lonely. Christians find faith hard to hold onto when facing challenging circumstances. Congregations struggle to persevere when uncertain times hit. Leaders find themselves navigating complicated and painful situations with little support. Drawing on twelve key practices arising from John's Gospel - "the 12 Cs" - Esther Prior offers a framework for Christian life in challenging times that is biblically rooted and pastorally tested. Each chapter explores one of the "Cs" by examining different episodes in Jesus's life as narrated in the Gospel of John and reflecting on the theological and pastoral implications of the Good Shepherd's example. Filled with personal anecdotes, practical application, and reflection questions, this is a resource that Christians can return to as they navigate times of pressure, uncertainty, and change with resilience and hope.
The Rt Revd Esther Prior is the Bishop of Aston in the Diocese of Birmingham. She was born in Malawi, grew up in Zimbabwe, and trained and has ministered in the UK for over twenty years. She is also Chair of Trustees of Trinity College, Bristol
Robert Atwell, Ally Barrett, Tom Clammer, David F. Ford, Jonathan Frost, Peter Graystone, Mary Gregory, Tim Heaton, Colin Heber-Percy, Rachel Mann, Julia Mourant, Nicholas Papadopulos, Emma Parker, Jitesh Patel, Esther Prior, Andrew Rudd, Brother Samuel SSF, Angela Sheard, Angela Tilby, Jane Williams, Isabelle Hamley
Robert Atwell, Ally Barrett, Tom Clammer, David F. Ford, Jonathan Frost, Peter Graystone, Mary Gregory, Tim Heaton, Colin Heber-Percy, Rachel Mann, Julia Mourant, Nicholas Papadopulos, Emma Parker, Jitesh Patel, Esther Prior, Andrew Rudd, Brother Samuel SSF, Angela Sheard, Angela Tilby, Jane Williams, Isabelle Hamley