{"product_id":"9780802496218","title":"Immeasurable: Reflections on the Soul of Ministry in the Age of Church, Inc.","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eCHRISTIANITY TODAY'S\u003c\/i\u003e PASTORAL\/CHURCH LEADERSHIP BOOK OF  THE YEAR 2017 \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e“In my first seminary class, we were asked to  introduce ourselves and say why we enrolled. I’ll never forget what one student  said…\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e‘My denomination wants me to have an M.Div., but once  they see I can grow a big church, I don't think they'll make me finish the program.’”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe  priorities of this future pastor were startling, but he’s not alone in them.\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eIn the years since that class, author and minister Skye Jethani has seen more  and more pastors swallowed by the celebrity syndrome. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot long ago, ministers  were among the most trusted and admired people in our culture. But not anymore.  A 2013 study from Gallop revealed that Americans’ admiration for clergy has  reached an all-time low. That, taken with reduced trust of institutional religion  overall, makes it easy to see why ministers feel insecure about their calling. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn  response to this trend, some pastors have looked to emulate those who \u003ci\u003eare \u003c\/i\u003epraised  by the culture—business leaders, entertainers, and social activists. This  has led to a new understanding of what a minister should be. \u003cb\u003eWe’ve turned  away from viewing our pastors as shepherds, and now expect them to be celebrities.  \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eImmeasurable \u003c\/i\u003ewill help ministers recognize the cultural forces  shaping their view of the calling, and then reimagine what faithful church leaders  can look like in the twenty-first century. Through short essays and reflections  on the pastor’s soul and skills, this book will help prospective pastors explore  their calling to ministry, and it will help veteran pastors reframe their vision  for the work. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrawing on cultural dynamics, personal stories, and his own  experience working in a church and with church leaders, Skye Jethani will address  matters like \u003ci\u003eambition, anger, community, consumerism, fame, health, justice,  platform, preaching, rest,\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003esimplicity, success, vision, \u003c\/i\u003eand more.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere are endless resources to help pastors do the practical work of ministry,  but there are far fewer that speak to the pastor’s soul and spirit. \u003ci\u003eImmeasurable  \u003c\/i\u003eprovides affirmation and encouragement for church leaders faithfully serving  God. It commends the true work of ministry—shepherding, teaching, encouraging—while  redefining what we mean by success in ministry. It’s a book church leaders  can return to again and again for insight and inspiration.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Moody Publishers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47068666495216,"sku":"9780802496218","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780802496218_p0.jpg?v=1763726029","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780802496218","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}