Christian Ministry and Ministries

(Excerpt) Surely there is no more complicated task in the repertoire of contemporary theological needs than that of accounting for the traditions of ordained ministries in the churches and the effects these have had on the ministry of the church over the past two thousand years. Should you doubt this, I am confident that all such doubt will be removed during these next two days. I am less confident that my colleagues and I will leave you with any greater clarity than when we started. Should this nonetheless occur, it will be due to their efforts more than to mine. And should it seem to you that I am occasionally clear in my own presentation, then you will doubtless have misunderstood me. For I can think of no one fundamental statement about Christian ministry or ministries that can be made without fear of or need for qualification. Christians, it seems, have been nowhere more creative than in what they have made of their ministries