Publisher’s Description:
Like the wounded man on the Jericho road, there are needy people in our path – the widow next door, the family strapped with medical bills, the homeless man outside our place of worship. God calls us to be ministers of mercy to people in need of shelter, assistance, medical care, or just friendships.
Here Timothy J. Keller demonstrates that caring for needy people is the job of every believer – not just church deacons – as fundamental to Christian living as evangelism, nurture, and worship. But Keller doesn’t stop there. He shows how we can carry out this vital ministry as individuals, families, and churches. Along the way, he deals prospectively with many thorny issues, such as the costs of meeting needs versus the limits of time and resources, giving material aid versus teaching responsibility, and meeting needs within the church versus those outside.
233 Pages
Published in 1989
About the Author
Timohty J. Keller (M.Div., Gordon-ConwellTheological Seminary; D.Min., Westminster Theological Seminary) is senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, in Manhattan, and author of The Reason for God. He previously was Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, in Philadelphia, and Director of Mercy Ministries for the Presbyterian Church in America.
Minisrties of Mercy
Contents
Prologue : The One Who Showed Mercy 9
Introdution : Who Is My Neighbor? 15
Part 1: PRINCIPLES
1 The Call to Mercy 35
2 The Character of Mercy 45
3 The Motivation of Mercy 58
4 Giving and Keeping : A Balanced Lifestyle 67
5 Church and World : A Balanced Focus 80
6 Conditional and Unconditional : A Balanced Judgement 93
7 Word and Deed : A Balanced Testimony 106
Part 2 : PRACTICE
8 Getting Started 123
9 Preparing the Church 133
10 Mobilizing the Church 154
11 Expanding Your Vision 174
12 Managing Your Ministry 194
13 Mercy Ministry and Church Growth 207
14 Meeting Needs 225
Suggested Reading 234
