Just Ministry: Professional Ethics for Pastoral Ministers

Though there are some timely pointers related to the essential qualities one must cultivate as ministers, the claims in Gula's book Just Ministry related to Church teachings as necessary for our ministries takes a minimalist approach towards Church authority and the structure one must embrace as a minister in the Church (CCC 890,891). Gula's observations may confuse a potential minister of the Church's role in relationship to ministry, and does not address that Jesus and the Apostels warned of false teachers and prophets within the "community" and how to discern when confronted with those who seek the gift of the spirit related to topics such as women's ordination (2 Timiothy 4:1-7).As an alternative reading to the proper understanding of ministry related to Church, "Exploring Catholic Theology" , by Bishop Robert Barron makes the case that to effectively evangelize the culture and fulfill our ministry within the Church, we need to reevaluate the Rahner/Schleiermacherian model that Gula has drawn upon as ineffective and theologically questionable. Bishop Barron then provides alternatives that every Catholic should reflect on.

I am a pre-med college student taking the course "Theology and Spirituality of Ministry." I found this book very helpful since I am involved in parish ministry. I also think much of what it discusses can be applied to other ministries, such as those in the medical field where I hope to work one day. I strongly recommend this book.

Ethics is a fuzzy subject. The course in graduate school raised my awareness but was the most amorphous, useless class in my program. Gula's book is very good for provoking insightful discussion among colleagues in ministry and a sharper defining edge for ethics for professional ministers in a time when pastoral care has never been more needed and lawsuits have never been more plentiful. It is current and practical.

This book was a good review of some issues to be aware of for those of us in ministry and then there were other areas that one needs to be mindful of legalities involved. I will keep it for a reference for me and refer it to others.

This is one of my reference textbooks introduced by my seminary teacher. Also, I want to learn more ethical issues before I become a missionary or pasor. It is useful when you face ethical problem and want to realize those trouble.

Fr. Gula presents deep insights into the nature of Ministry. He has an accessible style of writing and presents the issues around Pastoral Ministry is a clear manner. I read this as part of a course on Pastoral Ministry and I highly recommend it to other lay ministers.

I thought he covered well all the points he listed. I give it 4 stars.

Very good book. Ministers' book.

Overall, some very good points, but I had the feeling that Gula was approaching ministry in the Church purely as a job and so it felt a bit sterile at times. Yes, he does talk about vocation, prayer, and the virtues, but all of these he tries to fit within the business/professional model, rather than professionalism serving the vocation.Otherwise, he gives very good advice on how to be professional in a pastoral setting.

A practical, wise and realistic appreciation of the culture within the realm of Roman Catholic ordained and lay ministry. Of particular interest to Roman Catholic clergy in the face of current sexual scandals A reflection of Catholic moral theology (Virtues).

An excellent book on the subject. A recommended read for all in volved in ministry. It will be of great help to me in my work in the future.

well worth a read - and some thoughtful consideration by those in Christian Ministry. A good text for those training for ministry