Scripture tells us that believers are “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). This means that all Christians, in one form or another, are called into places of ministry and leadership. Not only is this a great privilege, it is also a great responsibility. Men and women desiring to serve in church leadership in some capacity undergo basic training to assure that they understand the foundations of the Christian faith and of our Nazarene identity. This includes a deepening knowledge and appreciation of Scripture, Theology, Ministry, Mission, History, and Holiness.
Frameworks for Lay Leadership is a series of six books designed to do just that—equip lay leaders for ministry in the Church, whether local, district, or general.
These books have the greatest impact when they are read, processed, applied, and contextualised in partnership with a qualified mentor.
Welcome to this journey of transformation!
Books in the Frameworks for Lay Leadership Series (Links are at the bottom)
About the editor
Rob A. Fringer, PhD–Principal and lecturer in Biblical Studies and Biblical Language at Nazarene Theological College in Brisbane. Rob is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene and has 15 years of pastoral experience working in the areas of Youth, Adult Discipleship, and Community Outreach. He is co-author of Theology of Luck: Fate, Chaos, & Faith and The Samaritan Project both published by Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City. Rob is married (Vanessa) and has two children (Sierra and Brenden).
Engaging the Story of God—The Bible is of utmost importance to the Christian faith and should be a source of revelation, wisdom, instruction, and connection to God. Nevertheless, it continues to be misunderstood, misinterpreted, and misappropriated. Therefore, it is vital that we understand what we believe about the Bible as Christians and as Wesleyans.
This book seeks to bring together a person’s spiritual vitality in Christ with practical expressions of service, care, and deepening relationships with others. It provides practical steps on how to listen well to God’s specific call, develop the art of theological reflection, and apply various leadership perspectives to different contexts. Throughout, Scripture is used to provide a scaffold on which to build ministry and leadership principles that can bring coherence and effectiveness to complex and often confusing situations.
Our world seems to be getting smaller every day. The global movement of people is at unprecedented levels. While many perceive these movements as a threat, Jesus encourages us to see a ripe harvest field at our doorstep. Those who are open to the call of God and equipped for cross-cultural engagement stand ready to cross the street to make disciples in the name of Jesus. This book explores culture, worldview, and intercultural communication from theological and practical perspectives.
This book focuses on how the Church of the Nazarene has perceived its mission and purpose in the world from beginning days to the present. The book describes the particular reason-to-be of the church and its distinctive character, particularly in relation to its organisational structure, educational philosophy, and missions. It explains some of the ways in which the church has developed its theology from John Wesley, Methodism, and the holiness movement to the twentieth and twenty-first century, and how the church has expanded its ministry of compassion to the world.