The Pastor-Congregation Duet
by Gary Harder
Book, 2018, 280 pp
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In a time of shifting worldviews and changing expectations of
the church, how does a pastor navigate the challenges, joys, and
pains of ministry? How does a church support, love, and hold
accountable its pastoral leaders? The key lies in the relationship
between pastor and congregation – in the duet they are singing,
in the rhythms of their life together.
In this book, Gary Harder reflects on the difficulties and rewards, the missteps and humour that are part of learning that ministry duet. Here he celebrates the mysterious ways God works through, and sometimes in spite of, the people singing God’s songs together. We reach for harmony. We hear dissonant notes. We catch only a glimpse of God’s beautiful music. And that is enough.
Also see related video.
In this book, Gary Harder reflects on the difficulties and rewards, the missteps and humour that are part of learning that ministry duet. Here he celebrates the mysterious ways God works through, and sometimes in spite of, the people singing God’s songs together. We reach for harmony. We hear dissonant notes. We catch only a glimpse of God’s beautiful music. And that is enough.
Also see related video.
"Gary Harder explores the rhythms of healthy pastoral-congregational relations, which he
likens to a duet – intimate and mutual. He gives rich examples of what honest, reciprocal, and
supporting relationships look like, and how these are critical for navigating conflict and change.
He is exceptionally self-aware, attentive to context, committed to wrestling with the scriptural
text and to search for the Spirit’s guidance. While ecumenically open, he sees ministry through
an Anabaptist lens –following Jesus into peace and justice and community and inclusion." — Arnold Neufeldt-Fast, PhD, Associate Academic
Dean, Tyndale Seminary, Toronto
"Gary Harder, a treasured and instrumental leader and pastor of the Mennonite Church in Canada, weaves together wisdom and insights gathered from over 50 years of pastoral experience. At the heart of healthy ministry is a relationship between the pastor and congregation, a partnership that can be beautiful, rich, messy and arduous, all at the same time. With many stories, and an occasional sermon woven throughout, the book is held together by a deep sense of gratitude and love, and a recognition of how a pastoral vocation never quite ends, even when the work is finished." — Dr. Irma Fast Dueck, Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Canadian Mennonite University
"Gary Harder, a treasured and instrumental leader and pastor of the Mennonite Church in Canada, weaves together wisdom and insights gathered from over 50 years of pastoral experience. At the heart of healthy ministry is a relationship between the pastor and congregation, a partnership that can be beautiful, rich, messy and arduous, all at the same time. With many stories, and an occasional sermon woven throughout, the book is held together by a deep sense of gratitude and love, and a recognition of how a pastoral vocation never quite ends, even when the work is finished." — Dr. Irma Fast Dueck, Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Canadian Mennonite University
Type | |
Genre | Biography/Memoir |
Expression | Documentary/Interview |
Topic | Pastoral Role & Identity |
Audience | Adults, Leaders |
Language | English |
Publisher | FriesenPress |
ISBN | 9781525530210 |
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