Table Of Content© 2004 by Tod E. Bolsinger Published by Brazos Press
a division of Baker Publishing Group P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.brazospress.com
Ebook edition created 2011
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ISBN 978-1-5855-8522-9
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Introduction: A Latté, Some Friends, and the Trinity
Part In Search of Exceptional Lives
1
1 It Takes a Church to Raise a Christian
2 Come for Supper!
Part History and Theology: Forming Exceptional Lives
2
3 God’s Spectacular Intention
4 The Transforming Communion
5 Living the Trinity
Part An Exceptional Community: Life-Transforming Practices
3
6 Transforming Worship I: Performing for God
7 Transforming Worship II: Worship That Changes Things
8 Transforming Word I: Look, Listen, Live!
9 Transforming Word II: Reading at the Table
10 Transforming Witness I: Praying with Jesus
11 Transforming Witness II: Discernment and Wisdom
12 Transforming Witness III: Ministry and Glory
Conclusion: People of the Table—A Spirituality of Fellowship and
Following
Notes
Index
For Beth . . . for everything
Acknowledgments
This book began as a Ph.D. dissertation at Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991.
Now, as I offer it in a revised form to the greater community of Christ, it seems
fitting that I acknowledge the way my communities have shaped my life,
ministry, and writing for more than a decade. Like our Triune God who, while
indivisible, is often considered both in the individual persons and one substance,
I feel compelled to give thanks publicly to both individual people and the
essence of their care for me simultaneously.
Fuller Theological Seminary not only taught me, but formed me. While I was
mentored by Robert Banks and Ray Anderson, I sat under and learned from
virtually the entire theology faculty at one time or another. Now when I have
opportunities to teach for Fuller as an adjunct professor, the students continue to
serve me through their thoughtful interaction with this material and their
dedication to building faithful communities of God’s transforming power.
I must express thanks to Miroslav Volf, who generously allowed me to sit in
on a seminar where we discussed and met with Jürgen Moltmann, whose work
influenced me greatly. I am particularly grateful to Ray Anderson, who took me
under his wing when what I wanted to do didn’t quite fit Fuller’s program at the
time. As a student, Ray’s very method of theologizing was so captivating that all
I wanted was to do the same. Ray later graciously encouraged me to work with
Robert Banks when the new concentration in practical theology was developed.
Rob’s life work in home churches stirred me to consider community as the
center of the Christian life and ministry (even in larger churches), and through
his humility, candor, and attention to detail he prodded me to my best effort. I
was deeply moved by Rob’s extraordinary commitment to me, particularly
through the painful time during the illness and after the passing of his first wife,
Julie, just as my dissertation was being completed. Thank you, Rob. You will
always be a model of service and magnanimity to me.
During the time that I have been working on this project, I have been
privileged to serve in two different churches. The First Presbyterian Church of
Hollywood was a wonderful place to learn the ropes of ministry. They were my
first community. I am particularly grateful that God allowed me to serve during
this formative time in my life with Lloyd John Ogilvie as my senior pastor. At a
time when many were telling me to decide between academics and pastoring,
time when many were telling me to decide between academics and pastoring,
Lloyd charged me to do both. I remain in your debt, Lloyd.
When I was called to become the pastor and head of staff for San Clemente
Presbyterian, they eagerly embraced both my family and my vision of the church
being a community of spiritual formation in Christ. And while I came with the
baggage of needing considerable time off to complete my degree, they didn’t
begrudge a conflict of my attention. They graciously paid for my last three
seminars, gave me a summer of study leave, and encouraged me with their
prayers and well wishes. Bruce and Louise Brown and Al and Enid Sloan gave
me places to write in their homes that were not only inspiring with ocean views,
but conveniently close to my family.
As the dissertation went through a lengthy revision for publication as a book, I
once again felt the support of this wonderful community of faith. My
administrative assistant, Barbara Young, and pastoral executive staff team of
Dee Hazen, Don Nieman, Jim Toole, and Shawn Reilly are so competent and
supportive that I was allowed ample time for writing and revisions. Jim also read
the manuscript in its entirety and offered helpful suggestions along the way.
Thank you all for all you do for our church and for me.
My elders worked through ten weeks of lectures as I struggled to make the
mystery of the Trinity relevant to intelligent and faithful lay leaders who are
dedicated to seeing the church reflect the character of God. Their questions made
my book stronger; their commitment to leading our church as a life-transforming
community has brought the words of these pages to life and immense joy to my
heart.
My sister, Carrie Nahmias, painstakingly transcribed my lectures, and Rob
Asghar helped me edit them into a book format. Rob served as my “literary
physical trainer,” pushing me and stretching me to find a voice for integrating
theology into church life. Rob’s editorial skill, keen mind, probing questions,
and deep belief in the message of this book was the single biggest factor for
bringing what had been a mostly academic discussion to pastors and lay leaders.
Rodney Clapp, Rebecca Cooper, and Don Stephenson of Brazos Press have
been strong and supportive editors, cheerleaders, and critics. I have grown as a
writer from working with them and consider it a privilege to be part of the
company of authors whom they represent. Don’s encouragement of my writing
has been a blessing to me indeed.
Throughout the years of development, one friend has stood with me the
closest. When I was just beginning my Ph.D. program, Mark Roberts was
finishing his dissertation in New Testament from Harvard. As the pastor of
Irvine Presbyterian Church, Mark understands like few others the specific
struggles that accompany trying to combine family life, writing, and pastoring.
struggles that accompany trying to combine family life, writing, and pastoring.
All along the way, Mark has been a loving goad and an understanding friend—
never letting me get distracted for too long from the goal that was ahead of me.
In our families, our ministries, and our shared love for learning and teaching the
faith, Mark has been a “best friend” for me. I don’t know how I can be so
blessed.
Finally, the center of my life is a communion that is so sweet and tender, so
fun and fulfilling that I ache because I have not the words to describe it. My two
children, Brooks and Ali, have never known a time when Dad wasn’t both a
pastor and a writer. They love our church and inspire me to do all in my power
to insure that it is a good community for them and the whole generation of their
little friends who call me “Pastor Tod.” My kids also offer me ample amounts of
loving teasing when I am too focused on the computer screen and need to come
out and play.
And lastly, to my dear, sweet Beth, the love of my life: you deserve so much
more than any mention in these pages. You are my partner in building a
community of faith that resembles the love of our Lord. We have been married
nearly as long as I have worked on this book, and you have believed in me and
protected our ministry and our life together. You deserve far more than my love
and gratitude, my respect and constant goofy gaze. You deserve far more than
having this book dedicated to you. But it is.
Through all of these, I have experienced what I learned in others’ writings:
that the essence of God is the love that is shared by the Persons of the Trinity,
demonstrated in Jesus Christ and poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit—and
that love, when expressed by the communion of believers, transforms. I may not
adequately explain the “transforming communion,” but I have experienced it.
