Spirituality for Ministry (The Library of Episcopalian Classics) - Softcover

"Our goal is the Kingdom, the completion of God's creative vision, and we are God's hands in bringing that vision to pass, " wrote Urban Holmes in Spirituality for Ministry, originally published in 1982. But, Holmes warned, ministers who are not rooted in the intimate knowledge of God will have a hard time being God's hands and serving the congregation well.

This timeless and still timely book examines the spiritual base that allows ordained clergy to be interpreters of God's message and symbol-bearers of God's presence in their congregations. Based on interviews with clergy from many denominations, Holmes explores the role of spirituality in the vocation of the ordained, the classic virtues of poverty, chastity, and obedience, the place of worship, prayer, and parish piety, and finally the necessity of spiritual companionship in the life of the clergy.

LOREN MEAD served as a rector in South Carolina and North Carolina before agreeing to direct Project Test Pattern, a national initiative of The Episcopal Church in 1969. The Alban Institute, which he founded in 1974, grew out of this work. He was president of the Institute until 1994. After leaving he wrote a series of books on The Once and Future Church and was a popular speaker and consultant. He still consults with parishes. He is an associate at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Washington, DC.