Insights from the Underside brings together the collective, creative reflections of young adult ministers, all leaders within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), concerning the calling of God and the Church to serve as spouse, parent, and minister of Word and Sacrament. Ministering in a 21st century context of postmodernity and religious pluralism, young adult ministers serve in today’s culture and Church in some ways differently from their more “seasoned” ministry colleagues, but in many ways, share experiences that are lived by ministers of any generation. This project attempts to bridge that gap. With each reflective piece offered by a young adult minister, this book invites thoughtful, winsome responses from “veteran” ministers, whose professional and personal backgrounds demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to the particular issues addressed and whose years of vocational practice exhibit not only survival in ministry, but excellence in their call.
Young Adult Ministers: Heidi Worthen Gamble, Bill Golderer, Jud Hendrix, Hope Lee, Sung Lee, Neal Presa, Bruce Reyes-Chow, David Shinn, Liz Kaznak, Mienda Uriarte (epilogue)
Veteran Ministers: M. Craig Barnes, John Galloway, Thomas Gillespie, Deborah van deusen Hunsinger, Laura Mendenhall, Lonnie Oliver, Steve Yamaguchi
About the Editor: Neal D. Presa is pastor of Middlesex Presbyterian Church, Middlesex, NJ and a PhD candidate in liturgical studies at Drew University. He is also a Henry Luce Foundation Graduate Fellow with the Center for Christianities in Global Context at Drew University. Neal represents the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as the Convenor/Chair of the Caribbean and North American Area Council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), and on the WARC Executive Committee. He has served at every level of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) including the Committee on Theological Education, Vice Chair of the General Assembly Council, the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly, Presbytery Council, and the Committee on Preparation for Ministry. He received his BA from University of California (Davis), graduate studies at Westminister Theological Seminary in CA, MDiv from San Francisco Theological Seminary and a ThM from Princeton Theological Seminary.
He has written articles in Call to Worship, Homily Service journal, The Presbyterian Outlook, These Days, and The Present Word.
He enjoys movie nights and traveling with his wife and two sons.
About Insights from the Underside
Broadmind Press © 2008
