Ministry in Three Dimensions: Ordination and Leadership in the Local Church

by Steven J.L. Croft, Steven Croft

In Ministry in Three Dimensions, Steven Croft outlines the challenges - greater geographical and social mobility, and older, smaller congregations, for example - that today’s society presents to the churches, explaining that models of mission and ministry which were once perfectly adequate no longer work in this new situation. The author identifies some of the potentially harmful ways in which attempts have been made to meet these new challenges, suggesting the use of secular management models as one such false trail. Far better and more fruitful is to recover a biblically-based understanding of ministry. In scripture and through Church history he explores the dimensions of ministry indicated by three different Greek words found in the New diakonia, presbyteros and episcope, uncovering the rich tradition surrounding what it means to be an ordained leader in the Church. Steven Croft draws out insights from which a new, relevant understanding of ordained ministry can be built across the denominations, and explores how to put these insights into practice, suggesting ways in which each minister can balance the three dimensions in their own setting.

Genres: Christian, Theology

176 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Marie De Coster]

I found this book very helpful explaining the differences of ministerial roles and the qualities the applicant must have. It is written very concisely and informative. Illustrations between deacon and priest is clearly defined and goes into every aspect of the vocations, from liturgical, pastoral, preaching, teaching, relationship with God to fresh expressions of church.
Looking at the role of priest, in the context of the dimensions of diaconia, presbyteros and episcope. However, the book does look at all ordained ministry, and includes even for those wanting to be distinctive deacons, how the 3 dimensions would relate to different roles.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very helpful. I am exploring Ordination and it was really helpful way of looking at the role of priest, in the context of the dimensions of diaconia, presbyteros and episcope. I have learnt a lot and it has been a helpful start to thinking about what it means to be a priest in the Church of England. However, the book does look at all ordained ministry, and includes even for those wanting to be distinctive deacons, how the 3 dimensions would relate to different roles.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a new book, but rather a new edition of a volume published in 1999, with an additional chapter. Ministry in Three Dimensions is addressed primarily to an Anglican (and British) context, though those from other denominations and places interested in leadership can find much of value in it.

The first section of the book is on a biblical theology of leadership, and here Croft explores material from both the Old and New Testaments. He confronts the lack of a uniform pattern of ministry emerging from the New Testament writings, and proposes a convincing way of understanding the three dimensions of ministry - diakonos, prestyberos and episcopos –suggesting that ministry (specifically ordained ministry) cannot be seen as one-dimensional.

Parts two, three and four of the book then unpack diakonia, presbyter and episcope, with sections on the scriptural origin of each term, the historical dimension, and how the
ministry is exercised in the Church today. In Croft’s understanding, the first dimension is primarily a ministry of service; the second of service of the Word, and of sacraments and
prayer; and the third of vision, unity, enabling, and watching over self and others.

The new final chapter addresses two issues: developments in the understanding of ministry, in particular the emergence of fresh expressions of church and ‘pioneer ministry’ – something Croft has been closely involved in for the last five years; and connections between episcope and recent thinking on leadership.
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The conclusion is simple - ‘The calling of all the ordained is to ministry in three dimensions.’ Like many of his early books this work is immensely thought-provoking and useful, laced with clear and original thinking, teamed with practical relevance. This book would be of value to anyone exploring the idea of the ordained ministry, and to church leaders who want to step back and reflect on their own ministry.