Earthen Vessels: The Paradox of Christian Leadership
Publisher: Centre for Contemporary Christianity
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Bangalore, India
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 127
Description: The title of the book expresses the paradox of Christian leadership.  Those of us who are in the ministry know well that we are like clay jars, broken vessels, weak and delicate. We are not what we are, but for the grace of God.  Apostle Paul writes,

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.  It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” [I Corinthians 1:26-31]. 

It is a disposition that ought to be held by all leaders in the church and in the community.  Pastors and evangelists are vulnerable people.  Primarily they are leaders in the community, not because of their education, status or wealth, but because of what they posses in their hearts, the all-surpassing power of God. (II Corinthians 4:5-7).  Therefore, we are called to exemplify the spirit of Christ in humility and servant-leadership.  

This volume, Earthen Vessels deals with diverse issues and topics that are of utmost importance to Christian leaders.  The contents are presented in a devotional inspirational format.  May we encourage you to use these in your preaching and teaching ministries?  You may also wish to study each chapter in small groups.  For this purpose, we made this volume small and simple. Chapters 1-8 offer some tools for mastering leadership skills in the service of the church and communities.  Chapters 9-13 deal with some important theological and ethical issues and offer pragmatic exhortations for personal life and witness.  The last two chapters highlight a few missional challenges that confront Indian churches here and in the homeland.  The exhortations offered here are based on the lessons learnt in my ministry.  I trust that you will warm up to these exhortations as those offered by a fellow laborer in the vineyard. You will also come across some weighty theological issues.  These may not be readily apparent as I have consciously refrained from using theological jargon.  Instead I have narrated a few lighter anecdotes that make the heavy contents readable.  I hope that these will pique your interest and lead you to undertake further reading and research that will challenge you to take decisive actions. Ultimately, it is your reflection and commitment that will make the difference in your ministry; and getting you to read this volume would have then made it all worthwhile.
Table of contents: title: CONTENTS; title: Publisher’s Note – Centre for Contemporary Christianity; title: -- Christian Institute for South Asiamerican Concerns; title: Foreword; title: 1.	Earthen Vessels; title: 2.	Cargo Cults vs. Savannah Gestalts; title: 3.	The Sword of Christ; title: 4.	Leveraging Money, Material and Human Resources; title: 5.	Group Faith and the Congregational Life; title: 6.	Gifted and Called; title: 7.	Holy Spirit, the Paraklētos; title: 8.	Christian Perfection and Holiness; title: 9.   Sacred Hospitality, Sacred Neighborhood and Sacred Journey; title: 10.	Rescuing the Cross of Christ; title: 11.	Bipolar Faith and Politics; title: 12.	The Death of Masculine Christianity; title: 13.	Is the eBible making me stupid?; title: 14.	New Jersey Indian Church: An Adventure of Faith; title: 15.	I am an Eco-Shalomite; title: CFCC Publications; title: Sun Stoves for India Project