Each chapter concludes with "Questions for exploration."

Includes bibliographical references.

The calling of a professional minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ -- Defining our praxis -- Praxis one: The spiritual life -- Praxis two: A life of meditation and contemplation -- Praxis three: An embodied faith -- Praxis four: Life together in the flock of the Good Shepherd -- Praxis five: Leaders as apprentices to Jesus -- Forging ahead.

In this introductory volume for the series, Black asserts that while the primary subjects of seminary and professional church work training may dominate the interests of students, students must engage in the principal pursuit of understanding, then applying, Christian theology. Black argues that the thread of theology must be distinctly woven through each of the other disciplines of biblical exegesis, ministerial leadership, spiritual formation, counseling, preaching, and worship.