The Politics of Ministry

Navigating Power Dynamics and Negotiating Interests

Bob Burns,Tasha D. Chapman,Donald C. Guthrie

• Publisher: IVP
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9780830873807
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Ministry

We all need help navigating the politics of ministry. "Politics" is often considered a dirty word. It brings to mind lies and manipulation, accusations and scandals. But at its most basic level, politics is simply the everyday activity of getting things done with other people: understanding their interests, recognizing the power dynamics at play, and learning how to negotiate relationships and institutions to achieve a common goal. These realities are as true in ministry settings as anywhere else. In The Politics of Ministry, Bob Burns, Tasha Chapman, and Donald Guthrie combine their long ministry experience with sociological research on the topic. Filled with real-life stories taken from a variety of ministry settings, this book sets out wise principles and practices that help us see more clearly the political dynamics at play in our churches and parachurch ministries. All ministry is political. As servants of Christ's kingdom, we are called to navigate the politics of ministry with grace, wisdom, and charity. This book shows us how the gospel of Jesus changes the way we work with those around us toward our common goal.

Appendix 1:
Emotions Checklist

Reviewing a checklist of adjectives describing varied emotions can be helpful in learning to accurately identify emotions.1 When we better identify emotions, it deepens our understanding of ourselves and others. Try using this list at the end of the day, considering your circumstances and how you felt. Or keep the list in your journal so that you can identify feelings as you write. Or use it as a test and retest, exploring how your feelings may have changed from one point of time to another.

Place a check next to all the adjectives that describe how you feel right now.

❑ Ambivalent

❑ Amused

❑ Angry

❑ Annoyed

❑ Anxious

❑ Apathetic

❑ Ashamed

❑ Attractive

❑ Bitter

❑ Bored

❑ Brave

❑ Bright

❑ Calm

❑ Cheated

❑ Collected

❑ Confident

❑ Confused

❑ Contented

❑ Defeated

❑ Dejected

❑ Delighted

❑ Depressed

❑ Detached

❑ Different

❑ Discouraged

❑ Disgusted

❑ Disinterested

❑ Empty

❑ Engaged

❑ Excited

❑ Exhausted

❑ Foolish

❑ Fulfilled

❑ Funny

❑ Glad

❑ Glib

❑ Grateful

❑ Guilty

❑ Happy

❑ Hateful

❑ Helpful

❑ Helpless

❑ Hesitant

❑ Hopeful

❑ Hurt

❑ Impatient

❑ Independent

❑ Indifferent

❑ Inferior

❑ Insecure

❑ Inspired

❑ Interested

❑ Involved

❑ Irritated

❑ Jealous

❑ Joyful

❑ Jubilant

❑ Judged

❑ Lonely

❑ Loved

❑ Loyal

❑ Miserable

❑ Misguided

❑ Misunderstood

❑ Needy

❑...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Foreword by Steven Garber
• Introduction
• C1 Three Ministry Stories
• 2 The Four Dynamics of Politics
• 3 Power in Ministry Politics
• 4 The Branches and Roots of Interests
• 5 Personal Interests
• 6 Organizational Interests
• 7 Societal Interests
• 8 Negotiation, Power, and Interests
• 9 Negotiation in Cell Four
• 10 Ethical Issues in the Politics of Ministry
• 11 Tom Moves into a Political Struggle - A Final Case Study
• Postscript: How People Learn the Politics of Ministry
• Acknowledgments
• Appendix 1: Emotions Checklist
• Appendix 2: Constructing and Exploring a Family Diagram
• Notes
• Praise for The Politics of Ministry
• About the Authors
• More Titles from InterVarsity Press
• Copyright