Theological Foundations for Collaborative Ministry

In this book I draw upon my experience in ministries of various kinds and in different contexts. As priest in a team ministry in a large rural town in a new housing area in Australia; in a pit village daughter church of a city parish in the United Kingdom; in University chaplaincy in the UK; in theological education and ministerial formation in the Uniting Church and Anglican Churches in Australia; in a School of Theology of an Australian University; and more recently as an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Adelaide. Beside numerous chapters and journal articles, I have a book published in the Mission and Modern Culture series with Trinity Press International: Liberating Evangelism: Gospel, Theology and the Dynamics of Communication, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Trinity Press International, 1999.

• Contents: Preface; Collaborative ministry: an introduction; Part I Ministry and the Ministries: Rediscovering the ministries of the people of God: mapping the territory; On knowing one's relations: church, ministry and theology. Part II Theological Trends in Ministry: Historical Perspectives: The question of origins: the legacy of R.C. Moberly's Ministerial Priesthood; The question of purpose: ministerial order and pioneer ministry; The question of reach: representative priesthood and the ministries of the laos. Part III Towards a Collaborative Theory of Ministry: Ministries in relation: the quest for integration; Collaborative ministry: a dialogue between theology and science; One of another: dynamics of collaborative ministry. Part IV Reforming Orders: A relational ontology of orders: some implications for practice; Episcopacy, management and the problem of ecclesiology; Episcopacy from below: the ecumenical gift. Part V Recovering Orientations: 'This is your promise': the vows, formation and ministerial existence; 'I saw Satan fall like lightning': a sermon on team ministry for mission; Conclusion: the collaborative world; Bibliography; Index.

’It is rare to find an academic who writes with such clarity, perception and depth in the field of ecclesiology. Stephen Pickard's work combines practical wisdom with theological acuity, and opens up new ways of re-conceiving the ministry of the church in our time. He is one of the very few writers today who can offer both grounded insight alongside nuanced and refreshing theological perspectives. In this exciting and timely new book, Pickard opens up new vistas on the nature of the church's ministry, with a wise and thought-provoking treatise that will undoubtedly make a substantial contribution to the field of ecclesiology. This is a wonderful, warm and wise theological enterprise. Full of richness, it will repay our careful and deep engagement.’ Martyn Percy, Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford, UK. ’Erudite and beautifully written... a fascinating and erudite analysis of the challenges to Anglican expressions of church and ministry, and Australian Anglicanism in particular. It has wider currency too, including those of us who do not subscribe to Episcopalian ecclesial structures and polity... If this book results in more collaborative approaches to ministry, then it will have served its purpose.’ Regent's Reviews ’Pickard recognises the fragile, passionate, one-of-another character of a church in which participants, in friendship, serve God’s mission. Here is encouragement to be courageous - for bishops and all seriously engaged in evoking or leading reflective Christian ministry.’ Church Times ’In our global, yet fragmented, world collaboration is the only way forward. Stephen Pickard's experiences gained in United Kingdom and Australia, and his immense knowledge in ecclesial management shine through this book. Readers who are familiar with the western ecclesial traditions, but do not yet know how to realize their desire for ministerial participation will find this book informative.’ Theological Book Review ’This is a book that