In this episode I had the pleasure of talking with the Rev. Dr. Eileen Campbell-Reed. Eileen is Visiting Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Care at Union Theological Seminary, in New York City. She also teaches for the Women’s Leadership Initiative MDiv program for Central Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee. Eileen is co-director of the Learning Pastoral Imagination Project, a study of ministry following 50 pastors and ministers since 2009. She is also founder and host of Three Minute Ministry Mentor, a weekly video, blog, and podcast providing resources that inform and inspire the practice of ministry.
Her brand-new book, Pastoral Imagination: Bringing the Practice of Ministry to Life, published by Fortress Press, explores how ministry is cultivated across time, through embodiment and relationships, and in encounters with the holy. The book shares 50 big ministry topics, stories to unpack each topic, supportive resources, and questions for reflection. She is also the author of Anatomy of a Schism (2016), and the State of Clergywomen in the U.S. (2018).
Eileen and I discuss her new book and how it came to be. Eileen describes how she got involved in the project and the qualitative research that went into exploring the practice of ministry as described by pastors, chaplains, and activists. Together we discuss the state of ministry today, how it’s evolving, and the many unknown challenges that today’s ministers face. Eileen’s thoughtful insights and deep knowledge of ministry made this an insightful conversation, one that’s sure to be thought provoking as we consider the changing face of ministry. This was a learning experience for me and I’m sure it will be for you too!
Learn More:
https://eileencampbellreed.org/
https://eileencampbellreed.org/welcome-to-three-minute-ministry-mentor/
https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506470061/Pastoral-Imagination
Listen below or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google.
Liminal Theology 