Jesus is present here and now, Christians have always affirmed. But how are we to understand his present activity in a challenging, post-Christian context? In what ways is he at work in our congregational worship, pastoral care, preaching-and even our board meetings?
At a time when many feel uncertain about the future of the church, What Is Jesus Doing? brings together leading thinkers in pastoral theology, homiletics, liturgical theology, and missiology in a compelling resource for pastors and theologians. Emphasizing the reality of Jesus both as the resurrected, ascended Christ and as present and active today, the contributors consider how to recognize the divine presence and join in what God is already doing in all areas of church ministry.
Contributors include: • David Fergusson. • Dwight J. Zscheile. • Scott J. Hagley. • Craig Barnes. • Roger Owens. • Anthony B. Robinson. • Will Willimon. • Andrew Root. • John D. Witvliet. • Nicholas Wolterstorff. • Angela Dienhart Hancock. • Trygve D. Johnson.
With deep theological reflection, personal stories, and practical suggestions, this interdisciplinary conversation invites leaders to remember that the church is first of all God's project, not ours-and that this truth should fill us with hope.
"Evelyn Underhill famously insisted, 'God is the interesting thing about religion.' If theology is the discerning of what God is doing in the world and the subsequent earnest yearning to participate in that action, then this elegant and absorbing collection of essays is an admirable response to that challenge. If pastoral care means taking people a little more seriously than they take themselves, then this volume is an exemplary form of pastoral care for the church today."
Sam Wells, vicar, St. Martin-in-the-Fields
"These essays take the book title seriously: 'What is Jesus doing?' In a fitting tribute to the distinguished Reformed theologian Andrew Purves, the authors explore what Christ is doing in the world today and how the church joins in his continuing ministry. The question of the relationship between divine and human agency is explored throughout, with many illuminations of how ministry-in myriad forms-is essentially participation in what God is already doing."
Scot Sherman, executive director of the Newbigin House of Studies, San Francisco
"Many of us make the mistake of speaking of Jesus in the past tense and subjunctive mood: 'What would Jesus do if he were here now?' This book answers another set of questions altogether: we must speak of Jesus Christ in the present tense as the living Lord, reigning, working for our transformation through the church. Andrew Purves has taught us all to speak, with Saint Paul, of the crucifixion and resurrection of our ministries. These essays represent the rich community of those gathered with a similar vision. May they find a wide and joyous readership."
