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Four Ministries, One Jesus: Exploring Your Vocation With The Four Gospels
Teaching Pastoral care Suffering Prayer Combining the skills of a leading biblical scholar with the wisdom derived from years of pastoral experience in guiding vocation and ordination training, Richard Burridge invites you to consider four key aspects of Christian ministry, as depicted in the gospels’ portraits of Jesus. Based upon the latest Selection Criteria and ordination liturgies, this is essential reading for anyone exploring their own vocation or discerning other people's callings to all forms of ministry. For more information, visit Richard Burridge's Facebook group for the
- GenresChurch
276 pages, Paperback
Published November 16, 2017
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March 29, 2019
What might the Gospels have to say about the nature and call to Christian ministry? What is it about Jesus, and the four pictures the Gospels offer of him, that might speak to our understanding of the Christian vocation? These are the kinds of questions that Richard Burridge, Dean of King's College at the University of London seeks to answer.
Burridge is the author of a similarly titled book -- Four Gospels, One Jesus?: A Symbolic Reading. While I haven't read the earlier book, I'm assuming that there are linkages between them, though this book is focused on the ministry vocation.
Burridge notes that this book emerged out of four addresses he gave at a retreat for the Diocese of Peterborough in England. He then expanded it into book form for use by those who were exploring their ministry calling or in the process of training for ministry. While the book is focused on the exploration of vocational ministry calling, he sees it, and I agree, as a book that those who have been in ministry for some time might find value. It would then serve as a refresher for those who might benefit from looking back at their own sense of call. While this book originated within the context of the Church of England, Burridge has brought into the conversation a number of other traditions, including several from the United States. What was intriguing for me was that he includes in this conversation the ordination expectations and practices of my own denomination -- the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). That is not something I would have expected, but am thankful for.
The book is centered around four portraits of ministry as seen in the four gospels. He takes notice of the symbols attached to each of the four gospels, as seen in the Lindisfarne Gospels. For each Gospel he provides a chapter that explores the portrait found in that particular Gospel. Thus, with Matthew, the symbol is the human image, and the portrait is that of Jesus as the Supreme Teacher. After laying out the portrait of Jesus and its implications for ministry, he has a chapter that takes note of that form of ministry in the selection for ministry, followed by an exploration of how this particular ministry is laid noted in the ordination services of various denominations. He notes that while there are differences, there are many similarities in structure. His encouragement is that one take the ordination service of one's denomination, and with differently colored highlighters go through the service and mark those areas connected with the symbol. After looking at the ordination services, he moves to the way this particular ministry (with Matthew it is teaching and preaching) fits into one's ministry. Finally, there is a chapter on sustaining one's ministry. He does this for each of the symbols.
The first Gospel explored is Matthew, which he suggests illustrates the ministerial calling of teaching and preaching. He notes that this is a core ministry for Jesus, and that in some form those called to ministry will exercise the teaching/preaching ministry. The second Gospel and second vocation is found in Luke, illustrated by the ox, and focused on the pastoral side of ministry. We see here how Jesus' own ministry serves as an example for us. Why the ox? Burridge suggests it is because the ox is a burden bearer, and so is the one called to Christian ministry (as Jesus did himself).
The symbol in the Lindisfarne Gospels for Mark is the Lion. Why the lion? Mark as a gospel is focused on the cross, and the Lion illustrates the role of ministry as part of cosmic struggle that can lead to suffering. In these chapters we learn that ministry is challenging and requires courage. Thus, in the section on sustaining ministry, he encourages clergy to take time away from the daily work to be with God, to spend time with family, and to be refreshed, because the calling will push in on you.
The final image, used for John, is the Eagle. The focus here is on prayer and spiritual disciplines. The eagle illustrates Jesus' farsightedness, his being "fierce in conflict, yet tenderly caring" (p. 128). The cosmic nature of John's gospel is demonstrative of the centrality of spirituality to one's ministry calling.
Using the four gospels as guides to Jesus' own vocation, we see illustrated the ministerial callings of teaching, pastoral care (burden-bearing), suffering on the way of the cross, and participating spiritually in the life of God. The book will speak to people in different ways, depending on where they find themselves on the journey. The chapters that take note of sustaining ministry are especially important to those of us who have been on the road for some time, but they are also important to those just getting started, so they know that the road is long and they will need refreshment along the way. In other words, we don't fill up for the journey at seminary and figure that will sustain us for the rest of our ministries.
The book concludes with four appendices. The first appendix lists biblical call stories, so that one might explore the concept in other portions of scripture. Appendix 2 summarizes the "processes, competencies, and criteria for selection for ordained ministry." This is Anglican focused, but is a template that will be useful in exploring one's own processes. Appendix 3 explores liturgies and services of ordination, and finally, in Appendix 4 there is a listing of "further reading, websites, and other resources.
I believe that this will be useful for those exploring the call to ministry. It offers practical suggestions, but roots them in the biblical story and in the narrative of Jesus' own life and ministry. That, I believe, is crucially important. Thus, it is highly recommended!
Burridge is the author of a similarly titled book -- Four Gospels, One Jesus?: A Symbolic Reading. While I haven't read the earlier book, I'm assuming that there are linkages between them, though this book is focused on the ministry vocation.
Burridge notes that this book emerged out of four addresses he gave at a retreat for the Diocese of Peterborough in England. He then expanded it into book form for use by those who were exploring their ministry calling or in the process of training for ministry. While the book is focused on the exploration of vocational ministry calling, he sees it, and I agree, as a book that those who have been in ministry for some time might find value. It would then serve as a refresher for those who might benefit from looking back at their own sense of call. While this book originated within the context of the Church of England, Burridge has brought into the conversation a number of other traditions, including several from the United States. What was intriguing for me was that he includes in this conversation the ordination expectations and practices of my own denomination -- the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). That is not something I would have expected, but am thankful for.
The book is centered around four portraits of ministry as seen in the four gospels. He takes notice of the symbols attached to each of the four gospels, as seen in the Lindisfarne Gospels. For each Gospel he provides a chapter that explores the portrait found in that particular Gospel. Thus, with Matthew, the symbol is the human image, and the portrait is that of Jesus as the Supreme Teacher. After laying out the portrait of Jesus and its implications for ministry, he has a chapter that takes note of that form of ministry in the selection for ministry, followed by an exploration of how this particular ministry is laid noted in the ordination services of various denominations. He notes that while there are differences, there are many similarities in structure. His encouragement is that one take the ordination service of one's denomination, and with differently colored highlighters go through the service and mark those areas connected with the symbol. After looking at the ordination services, he moves to the way this particular ministry (with Matthew it is teaching and preaching) fits into one's ministry. Finally, there is a chapter on sustaining one's ministry. He does this for each of the symbols.
The first Gospel explored is Matthew, which he suggests illustrates the ministerial calling of teaching and preaching. He notes that this is a core ministry for Jesus, and that in some form those called to ministry will exercise the teaching/preaching ministry. The second Gospel and second vocation is found in Luke, illustrated by the ox, and focused on the pastoral side of ministry. We see here how Jesus' own ministry serves as an example for us. Why the ox? Burridge suggests it is because the ox is a burden bearer, and so is the one called to Christian ministry (as Jesus did himself).
The symbol in the Lindisfarne Gospels for Mark is the Lion. Why the lion? Mark as a gospel is focused on the cross, and the Lion illustrates the role of ministry as part of cosmic struggle that can lead to suffering. In these chapters we learn that ministry is challenging and requires courage. Thus, in the section on sustaining ministry, he encourages clergy to take time away from the daily work to be with God, to spend time with family, and to be refreshed, because the calling will push in on you.
The final image, used for John, is the Eagle. The focus here is on prayer and spiritual disciplines. The eagle illustrates Jesus' farsightedness, his being "fierce in conflict, yet tenderly caring" (p. 128). The cosmic nature of John's gospel is demonstrative of the centrality of spirituality to one's ministry calling.
Using the four gospels as guides to Jesus' own vocation, we see illustrated the ministerial callings of teaching, pastoral care (burden-bearing), suffering on the way of the cross, and participating spiritually in the life of God. The book will speak to people in different ways, depending on where they find themselves on the journey. The chapters that take note of sustaining ministry are especially important to those of us who have been on the road for some time, but they are also important to those just getting started, so they know that the road is long and they will need refreshment along the way. In other words, we don't fill up for the journey at seminary and figure that will sustain us for the rest of our ministries.
The book concludes with four appendices. The first appendix lists biblical call stories, so that one might explore the concept in other portions of scripture. Appendix 2 summarizes the "processes, competencies, and criteria for selection for ordained ministry." This is Anglican focused, but is a template that will be useful in exploring one's own processes. Appendix 3 explores liturgies and services of ordination, and finally, in Appendix 4 there is a listing of "further reading, websites, and other resources.
I believe that this will be useful for those exploring the call to ministry. It offers practical suggestions, but roots them in the biblical story and in the narrative of Jesus' own life and ministry. That, I believe, is crucially important. Thus, it is highly recommended!
November 14, 2018
Great read! Fr. Burridge gently guides his reader through each of the four Gospels and comparatively looks at the Ordination Liturgy for the priesthood. While the intent of this book is for an Anglican seeking to be ordained, a christian from any tradition who is seeking ordination would benefit greatly!
If one day I find myself in the shoes of a pastor/priest and I have someone inquiring about ordination, this will be the first book that I place in their hands to read.
If one day I find myself in the shoes of a pastor/priest and I have someone inquiring about ordination, this will be the first book that I place in their hands to read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews