This timely volume on ministerial formation argues for a re-framing of the training of future leaders, both lay and ordained. While appreciating much of the current best practices in theological education, John Valentine makes a powerful and coherent case on biblical, theological, historical and educational grounds that there is an urgent need to realign training aims along more thorough-going missional lines. Ministerial Formation for the Future of the Church lays out concrete proposals for a more effective way of training that will result in future church leaders that are better equipped spiritually, emotionally, culturally, as well as academically, for the demands of local church life and mission in our rapidly changing times. Valentine holds out a vision for ways of training that more closely link the contexts and actual realities of local churches and communities with the ways in which church leaders are trained. Warm, grounded and visionary, the book combines a robust biblical and theological perspective with practical educational strategies that can make a real difference in the life and leadership of those being trained to play key roles in the future of church life and mission.
