"The Once and Future Pastor is a practical, comprehensive view of effective ministerial leadership for the 21" century.

spiritual distress of today's pastors is cause for Dr. Hobgood to ponder the "Modernity's shrug at organized religion, coupled with the pain and present and future of the professional ministry.

exploring the best of today's church. His main thesis is that change is "Hobgood declares, 'We learn about the church of tomorrow by inevitable. The lens for analysis is a powerful, ecumenical life-cycle approach to the future of the church. Congregational revitalization is defined by vital signs in stewardship, evangelism, spirituality, and compassion. Pivotal to such renewal are new shepherds-leader-managers for the dynamics of Christian nurture and mission.

congregations that are dreaming great dreams-boldly, courageously, and "The hopefulness of the book is found in the references to 32 mainline faithfully. It is refreshing to read insights from a diversity of pastors, including those who are female, African-American, and Asian.

church-a must read for all seminarians." "This is a very readable book for anyone interested in the health of the church- a must read for all seminarians.