Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

Introduction

In this issue, Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry presents substantive research projects addressing pastoral counseling and the experience of women as leaders in the church. Ron Bruner and Dudley Chancey offer findings from their Three Generations Study in the article, "Grief and Spiritual Coping: The Practices of Three Generations of Faith." This multi-methods research narrates findings that empower ministers to better engage in pastoral counseling, particularly to those experiencing loss. Next, Shannon Rains, Jennifer Dabbs, and Kaley Ihfe present their study, "Oneness in Christ: A Qualitative Study of Women's Initial Experiences Leading in Public Worship at Broadway Church of Christ." Extended conversations with thirty-two women empowered the authors to explore the thoughts and feelings of these respondents as they engaged in public leadership in a congregation recently opening those opportunities to women.

This issue also contains reviews of two significant books. Shaya Aguilar examines The Twenty-Something Soul: Understanding the Religious and Secular Lives of American Adults. Nathan Pickard reviews Pilgrims and Priests: Christian Mission in a Post-Secular Society.