Advance Comment
The Heart of the Matter
Pastoral Ministry in Anabaptist Perspective

"Although I'm not within the same ecclesiastical tradition that is represented so well in the chapters of this book, I learned much from these reflections on ministry. The peculiar vibrancy of the Anabaptist vision of the church provides a wonderfully invigorating perspective on the pastoral tasks. Contemporary pastoral ministry can be critiqued and renewed through such astute reflection."
—William H. Willimon, Professor of Christian Ministry, Duke University Divinity School

"What does pastoral ministry look like when . . .

• it springs from a history of dissident discipleship?
• it questions attaching rank and privileged status to leadership?
• it thinks in terms of level authority rather than levels of authority?
• it lifts up the roles of teacher and enabler rather than sacred gatekeeper?
• it is bent toward the prophetic, the critical, even the subversive in cultural, economic, and political issues?
• it is passionate about attending, care-giving, healing, reconciling, and sustaining practices of spirituality?
• it sees the heart of the matter as a kind of servanthood that draws on living traditions yet embraces the future?

The Heart of the Matter answers these questions with thoughtful, probing often provocative insights in a style that models its own message by prophetically challenging, caring about and promoting mutual service in the body of Christ as the true path of pastoral ministry. It speaks with the authority of a community of Anabaptist scholarship that cares about the soul of what is truly pastoral."
—David W. Augsburger, Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Fuller Theological Seminary

"At the heart of the matter is our understanding of the pastor. Erick Sawatzky has invited his colleagues on the faculty of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary to speak to this central issue. What they offer is a treasure of Anabaptist theological education. Read the debates, embrace the theological reflection, and learn from the vision. It’s all here.

"It is not easy to gain the focus of an entire faculty on one issue. Erick Sawatzky has challenged his colleagues at AMBS to speak to the heart of the matter – who is the pastor and what is the pastor called to be and to do? Written from their own disciplines but with a passionate love for Christ and the church, we are invited in on a continuing conversation within the seminary and within the church."
— John A. Esau, columnist in Mennonite Weekly Review, retired minister, and past director Ministerial Leadership Services for the General Conference Mennonite Church

Heart of the Matter orders:

• Cascadia Publishing House Online Order Form
• Cascadia, Herald Press, and other order options
• Credit card orders through Heart of the Matter page, MennoLink Online Bookstore--searchable link to store ready now, direct link to this book coming.