In this volume, William R. Nelson shows seminary students and ministers the leadership skills requiered of them in ther first placement. The sharing of seven stories, of ministry models, provides a basis for determining what is required for effective leadership by the end of the first decade of professional development. These biblical, historical, and contemporary stories describe the initial piligrmiage of a ministerial career in therms of five issues of ministry formation: accepting limitations, builing on unique strenghts, exerting pastoral authority, confirming professional identity, and instensifying spiritual formation.
Questions at the end of each chapter enable the ministerial student - either alone or in a peer group - to work out these issues of ministry formation. Specific suggestions are given on the use of this storytelling method to clarify the performance expectations of pastoral leadership. This process helps the young minister to cite specific goals that will guide him or her through the first decade of pastoral leadership.