Seek the Well-Being of the City: Pastoral Leadership in Community - Hardcover

by Derek R. Nelson (Author), Erica Knisely (Author), Jason R. McConnell (Author)

No one lives in a community that couldn't be better. But no one wakes up one day and magically knows exactly how to make the improvement happen. Congregational leaders have unique challenges and opportunities to strengthen and make more vibrant the places that they live. Engaging with the local context, rather than simply with one's congregation, enlarges pastoral imagination and can graft new life into the roots of moribund churches. This book is a guide for congregational leaders - including, (but not only) parish pastors -- who want to know how to learn about, engage, lead, and respond to their communities. There are countless ways to think up new programs for social engagement, or interventions to call attention to social problems. But this book helps leaders identify where their lever to move an obstacle is longest, where the most beauty and verdancy can be brought about to places that need it.

Author Biography

Derek R. Nelson is professor of religion at Wabash College.



Erica Knisely is parish associate at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas.



Jason R. McConnell is pastor of Franklin United Church and East Franklin Union Church in Vermont.



Natalie Aho- Consultant and coach Strategic Leader Partnership Development Stakeholder Engagement Fundraising Advisor



Leslie King is pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Waco, Texas.



Amy Howard is executive director of Encounter Culture Mission Collaborative in Epping, New Hampshire.



Wesley Spears-Newsome lives in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina. By day, he works as a pastor and organizer. He writes science-fiction and fantasy, non-fiction related to ministry and organizing, and picture book fiction.