Drawing on their research involving urban pastors from across the United States, Bryan Stone and Claire Wolfteich identify and examine spiritual practices that foster excellence in urban ministry. After discussing the specific challenges facing urban pastors and presenting the kinds of excellence required of them, Stone and Wolfteich explore several practices that help sustain ministers working in urban contexts, such as cultivating holy friendships, practicing Sabbath, maintaining lives of prayer and study, and setting appropriate boundaries. Throughout, the authors weave together stories from urban pastors from a variety of denominations with insights from the history of Christian spirituality and theology to chart a theological course for the formation and renewal of pastors in diverse contemporary contexts.
Bryan P. Stone is E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Boston University and cofounder and director of the Center for Practical Theology. He is the author of several books, including Evangelism after Christendom: The Theology and Practice of Christian Witness.
Claire E. Wolfteich is Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Spiritual Formation at Boston University. She is the author of several books, including Lord, Have Mercy: Praying for Justice with Conviction and Humility.
