Starting with Spirit : Nurturing Your Call to Pastoral Leadership

Opening The Door -- What I Didn't Learn In Seminary, And What Seminaries Can Learn From New Pastors -- Authority And Relationship In The Church -- When The Honeymoon's Over, If There Ever Was One -- Boundaries That Heal Pastors And Congregations -- The Innovative Pastor -- Death Never Takes A Holiday For Pastors And Congregations -- The Spiritual Lives Of Spiritual Leaders -- The Healthy Pastor -- Relationships Matter -- Associate Ministry As A Creative Challenge -- The Continuing Education Of New Pastors. Bruce G. Epperly. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 221-224). Starting with Spirit is a spiritual and professional resource for new pastors, their family members, and congregations, as well as ministers in every season of ministry who seek to grow in vitality and skill in the ongoing adventure of ministry. For more than thirty years, Bruce Epperly has followed the call of the spirit, moving through his vocations as a congregational pastor, university chaplain, seminary and university professor, and seminary administrator. Drawing on these experiences, he addresses the new pastor's transition from seminary student to congregational leader; pastoral authority; the 'honeymoon;' boundaries; death; the pastor's spiritual life, health, and relationships; the role of the associate pastor; and continuing education.