Product Description

Radcliffe explores the essential principles that ensure effectiveness and longevity in the role of the associate minister. (20040603)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #847068 in Books
• Published on: 1998-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780825436291
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Review
In a thorough and careful manner, Radcliffe explores the variety of issues that impact the ministry of the associate pastor. The emphasis on harmony, balance, and functioning relationships permeates the content. The author draws on his own experience as an associate pastor to illustrate the concepts that he conveys. . . . The strength of the book is found in section three, Relationships. The multiple relationships with the senior pastor, other professional staff, boards and committees, and general church members are filled with insight and practical advice. The ability to maintain mutually-beneficial, supportive relationships in several arenas is no easy task. (Gerald Nevitt Strategies for Todays Leader )

About the Author
Robert J. Radcliffe (B.A., Wheaton College; M.A., Wheaton Graduate School; Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University) is Professor of Educational Ministry at Western Seminary, Portland, Oregon. He serves as the coordinator of two academic programs--Educational Ministry and Youth and Family Ministry. He is the author of several articles in the Christian Education Journal and Journal of Religious Education.

Customer Reviews

Helpful introduction to team ministry
Robert Radcliffe--professor of Educational Ministry at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon--knows about serving as an assistant pastor both because he is an academic who specializes in studying team ministries and also because he served his entire parish career as an assistant pastor (various titles, but the same basic job). As such, he is well-qualified to write this introductory book to introduce team ministry to those who are considering that career route and also to aid and give advice to those already in an associate position.

The guiding metaphor from which Radcliffe operates is the orchestra. Continually referring to the Senior Pastor as the "First Chair" (one responsible for the performance of all the other players) and the other ministers as the "Second," "Third," etc., chairs (responsible for playing as best as they can yet remain under the leadership of the First Chair), Radcliffe effectively illustrates the various joys and complications associated with being a subordinate pastor.

He is most helpful as he cites personal accounts of successes and failures he experienced as an assistant. He runs the gamut from relationships with superiors to relationships with the laity to relationships with those outside the church. Of particular importance to this reader was the myriad of questions to ask yourself/find out as you consider taking a position as an assistant pastor (as is the case for me).

A weakness of this book is that Radcliffe does tend to be simplistic (as opposed to simple) at certain points. Furthermore, his description of various denominational idiosyncracies was more confusing than helpful (but this is true of any such comparitive analysis). Yet these weaknesses are minor and detract little from the book's overall value.

Recommended for assistant pastor, senior pastors, and laity who attend churches served by multiple pastors.