I was invited to contribute a chapter to a recent book called Looking Both Ways: At the Intersection of the Academy and the Church. The book was made in honor of one of the best college professors I’ve ever had named Dr. Joe Grana. Dr. Grana’s work and influence on others would be impossible to measure as they have affected so many people in profound ways, myself completely included. He recently retired after fifty years in ministry and education and this book was a chance for us to honor him.

The book explores a variety of ways the church and the university can overlap together. I wrote a chapter on rethinking the idea of ordination and shared some of the insights we figured out from my time in Oregon. Although I haven’t had a chance to read the entire book yet, I suspect I’m the only contributing author that mentions Lady Gaga and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

Here’s a teaser quote from my chapter:

I think that it’s time for churches to realize opportunity anew. We shouldn’t use ordination like a gatekeeper. The focus should instead be how the local church could better equip and empower others to do ministry when we give it away intentionally. It is a chance for us to practice a unique Kingdom use of power. As Gregory Boyd explains, “While all the versions of the kingdom of the world acquire and exercise power over others, the kingdom of God, incarnated and modeled in the person of Jesus Christ, advances only by exercising power under others.” The church can offer a “power under” through giving ministry away intentionally through ordination.

Click here to get a copy of the book for yourself.

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