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by Terry L. Cross (Author)
Leading theologian Terry Cross articulates the doctrine of the church's ministry from a Pentecostal perspective, demonstrating how Pentecostals can contribute to and learn from the church catholic. This companion volume to Cross's previous book, The People of God's Presence, proposes a radical revision of the structural framework of the local church within the often-overlooked corporate priesthood of all believers. Cross explores principles for leadership and ministry from the New Testament and the early church, helping all believers to do the work of ministry.
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The Doctrine of Christian Ministry from a Pentecostal Perspective
In The People of God's Presence, Terry Cross introduced ecclesiology from a Pentecostal perspective. Now Cross explores principles for leadership and ministry from the New Testament and the early church, helping all believers to do the work of ministry.
"Building on his bold and compelling pneumatological ecclesiology, Cross proposes a viable pneumatic theology of ministry for the twenty-first century. Serving the People of God's Presence challenges the pervasive clericalism of church institutions with a renewed vision of the universal priesthood of believers and the 'radical egalitarianism' of the Spirit. Weaving together rich pastoral insights with rigorous scholarship, this volume offers an excellent resource for both students and ministers."
--Daniela C. Augustine, University of Birmingham
"Cross has given a great gift to the church in this informative, integrated, and inspiring vision of Christian ministry. This is a must-read for scholars interested in ecclesiology, sacramentology, charismatic and Pentecostal studies, or the theology of Karl Barth. I also wholeheartedly recommend this as a textbook for ministerial students, through whom this vision may come to concrete expression."
--John Drury, Wesley Seminary, Indiana Wesleyan University
"In this work, Cross presents an impassioned plea for the church in its entirety to reclaim its vocation as the people of God, a vocation that belongs not to a small circle of clergy but to all the members of Christ's body. Cross presents a powerful and provocative proposal that embraces and seeks to further Luther's proclamation that 'Christ is a priest with all his Christians.' Well-researched and incisive, this work will no doubt contribute to and further current conversations regarding questions of ministry, ordination, and the church's witness in the world."
--Kimlyn J. Bender, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University
"What is fresh about Cross's theology of ministry--the spiritual character of the church and its ministerial practices, including its rites, sacraments, and liturgies--is also potentially controversial. Cross argues that ministry is accomplished through God's direct and transformative activity in the lives and deeds of any and all who encounter the risen Christ and are filled with his Spirit. Herein the historic doctrine of the priesthood of believers takes a pneumatic leap into a twenty-first-century global church with a flattening out of its ministries."
--Amos Yong, Fuller Theological Seminary
Author Biography
Terry L. Cross (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary) is dean of the School of Religion and distinguished professor of theology at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, where he has taught for over 20 years. He is the author of numerous books, including The People of God's Presence: An Introduction to Ecclesiology.
