Churches experiencing numerical and financial decline may dread the day when they can no longer afford a full-time pastor. Freeing up funds that would go to a full-time salary sure would help the budgetmaybe even enough to turn things aroundbut is it even possible to run effective ministries with just a half- or quarter-time professional? Journalist and part-time pastor Jeffrey MacDonald says yeschurches can grow more vibrant than ever, tapping into latent energy and undiscovered gifts, revitalizing worship, and engaging in more effective ministry with the community.Readers get a much-needed playbook forhelping congregations to thrive with a part-time ministry model. They learn to see the model in a new light: to stop viewing part-time as a problem to be eradicated and to instead embrace it as a divine gift that facilitates a higher level of lay engagement, responsibility, playfulness, and creativity.

About the Author
G. Jeffrey MacDonald is a part-time United Church of Christ pastor and full-time freelance journalist whose reporting on religion has garnered nineteen national awards, and his previous book Thieves in the Temple: The Christian Church and the Selling of the American Soulreceived third place for Religion Nonfiction Book of the Year from the Religion News Association.

Reviews

"Perhaps ecclesial institutions, churches, and clergy will now begin to imagine a new way forward where part-time really is plenty for all parties, rather than face death. I hope so, because this is the first book I've read in a long time that's made me excited about the possibilities ministry has to offer me, the church, and the world." -The Christian Century

Book Information
ISBN 9780664265991
Author G. Jeffrey MacDonald
Format Paperback
Page Count 180
Imprint Westminster/John Knox Press,U.S.
Publisher Westminster/John Knox Press,U.S.