Patterns of Ministry among the First Christians

This new edition of Patterns of Ministry Among the First Christians tells the story of how the first Christian leaders emerged and, with the passing of time, developed. The book includes sections on Jesus and Paul and their understanding of Christian leadership, on bishops, deacons, elders, apostles, prophets, and teachers, and on ordination. The focus is primarily on the first century but historical development is noted. The author also discuses the ways the New Testament may speak to the present.""With engaging and sometimes witty prose, Giles explores Scripture honestly to discern patterns of church leadership. Giles shows how Scripture challenges many assumptions about ministry in most churches today. I have learned from this work, and I find his conclusions eminently fair, balanced, and reasonable, and most of them persuasive.""--Craig S. Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary""Kevin Giles offers a welcomed update to his compelling account of the ministry and offices of the early church. A judicious and balanced treatment on everything the New Testament says about spiritual gifts, servant leadership, and leading a group of Christian believers in community. Sure to be a popular volume.""--Michael F. Bird, Lecturer in Theology, Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia""Down the centuries, church traditions of varying kinds have allowed huge growth to take place in the garden of church leadership which has smothered the original plants that were there. Expertly using the tools of scholarship, Giles hacks it all down to expose the original patterns of ministry. He wears the scholarship lightly and has produced an eminently clear book which drives us to radical conclusions with which the contemporary church needs to engage. This should be compulsory reading on all ministerial training courses and read by any concerned with church leadership.""--Derek Tidball, Former Principal of London School of Theology; author of Skilful Shepherds and Ministry by the Book: New Testament Patterns of Pastoral Leadership""I highly recommend Patterns of Ministry among the First Christians as it meets a great need for right understanding of Biblical Leadership in the time we live. It is an extraordinary, well written, and well documented book on how leadership and church structure is expressed in the New Testament, helping us to avoid simplified and rash conclusions in applying these principles in the twenty-first-century.""--Kent Jakobsen, Principal, Danish Pentecostal Bible CollegeKevin Giles is an Australian-ordained Anglican minister who was in parish ministry for over forty years. He has published on the doctrine of the church, church health, the leadership of the church, Lucan theology, women in leadership, and the Trinity. He is married to Lynley, a marriage counselor. They have four married children and eleven grandchildren.