John Williams is Visiting Fellow and Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at York St John University.

Context and culture shape always theologies of ministry. In this excellent study of ecclesiology and ministry, John Williams gives us a refreshing, zesty analysis of how culture and Christianity interact to produce ecclesial and ministerial praxis. No theology or religious belief lacks a cultural or social reference point and shape. There is no ‘pure’ religion, belief, revelation or doctrine. Everything we say, think, do, believe and practise about God is mediated through social or cultural agents. This is perhaps nowhere more true that in the ever-evolving and adaptive identity of the church, and the ministry it offers. This prescient and pithy book from Williams will challenge thinking and break new ground. It is a critically-reflective and quite remarkable book, which will amply repay study and wider discussion.

• Preface viiIntroduction 1 1. Liquid Modernity: Hallmarks of the Post-Church Society 8 2. Unfinished Business: The Historical Contestation of Ministry 23 3. Threefold Disorder: Diaconal, Presbyteral and Episcopal Ministry Today 44 4. Interrogating Ordination: Ontology, Function and Gender 65 5. Shared, Lay, Local and Collaborative: The Road Less Travelled 80 6. Distribution and Difference: The Pentecostal and Charismatic Inheritance 101 7. Chaplaincy: A Very Ancient and Postmodern Ministry 116 8. Fresh Expressions: Hope for the Mainstream Denominations? 134 9. Signals of the Impossible: Reimagining the Role of Christian Faith 148 10. ‘Ecclesianarchy’: A Blueprint for Adaptive Ministry 161 11. Stirring Up the Gift: On Being Formed for Christian Ministry 177 12. Identity Crisis: Negotiating Role and Person in Ministry 191 Conclusion 205Bibliography 216 Index of Names and Subjects 233

John Williams is Visiting Fellow and Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at York St John University.

Context and culture shape always theologies of ministry. In this excellent study of ecclesiology and ministry, John Williams gives us a refreshing, zesty analysis of how culture and Christianity interact to produce ecclesial and ministerial praxis. No theology or religious belief lacks a cultural or social reference point and shape. There is no ‘pure’ religion, belief, revelation or doctrine. Everything we say, think, do, believe and practise about God is mediated through social or cultural agents. This is perhaps nowhere more true that in the ever-evolving and adaptive identity of the church, and the ministry it offers. This prescient and pithy book from Williams will challenge thinking and break new ground. It is a critically-reflective and quite remarkable book, which will amply repay study and wider discussion.

• Preface viiIntroduction 1 1. Liquid Modernity: Hallmarks of the Post-Church Society 8 2. Unfinished Business: The Historical Contestation of Ministry 23 3. Threefold Disorder: Diaconal, Presbyteral and Episcopal Ministry Today 44 4. Interrogating Ordination: Ontology, Function and Gender 65 5. Shared, Lay, Local and Collaborative: The Road Less Travelled 80 6. Distribution and Difference: The Pentecostal and Charismatic Inheritance 101 7. Chaplaincy: A Very Ancient and Postmodern Ministry 116 8. Fresh Expressions: Hope for the Mainstream Denominations? 134 9. Signals of the Impossible: Reimagining the Role of Christian Faith 148 10. ‘Ecclesianarchy’: A Blueprint for Adaptive Ministry 161 11. Stirring Up the Gift: On Being Formed for Christian Ministry 177 12. Identity Crisis: Negotiating Role and Person in Ministry 191 Conclusion 205Bibliography 216 Index of Names and Subjects 233

John Williams is Visiting Fellow and Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at York St John University.

Context and culture shape always theologies of ministry. In this excellent study of ecclesiology and ministry, John Williams gives us a refreshing, zesty analysis of how culture and Christianity interact to produce ecclesial and ministerial praxis. No theology or religious belief lacks a cultural or social reference point and shape. There is no ‘pure’ religion, belief, revelation or doctrine. Everything we say, think, do, believe and practise about God is mediated through social or cultural agents. This is perhaps nowhere more true that in the ever-evolving and adaptive identity of the church, and the ministry it offers. This prescient and pithy book from Williams will challenge thinking and break new ground. It is a critically-reflective and quite remarkable book, which will amply repay study and wider discussion.

• Preface viiIntroduction 1 1. Liquid Modernity: Hallmarks of the Post-Church Society 8 2. Unfinished Business: The Historical Contestation of Ministry 23 3. Threefold Disorder: Diaconal, Presbyteral and Episcopal Ministry Today 44 4. Interrogating Ordination: Ontology, Function and Gender 65 5. Shared, Lay, Local and Collaborative: The Road Less Travelled 80 6. Distribution and Difference: The Pentecostal and Charismatic Inheritance 101 7. Chaplaincy: A Very Ancient and Postmodern Ministry 116 8. Fresh Expressions: Hope for the Mainstream Denominations? 134 9. Signals of the Impossible: Reimagining the Role of Christian Faith 148 10. ‘Ecclesianarchy’: A Blueprint for Adaptive Ministry 161 11. Stirring Up the Gift: On Being Formed for Christian Ministry 177 12. Identity Crisis: Negotiating Role and Person in Ministry 191 Conclusion 205Bibliography 216 Index of Names and Subjects 233