Guides to Practical Ministry

A Note from the Publisher

Seminary provides a vital foundation, but the true weight of congregational ministry is felt only once you are “on the ground.” The Guides to Practical Ministry series was created to bridge the gap between academic preparation and the daily realities of local church leadership. Originally developed in partnership with the Academy of Parish Clergy and General Editor Dr. Robert D. Cornwall, these volumes represent a “practitioner-to-practitioner” model of continuing education.

While the Academy has since concluded its formal operations, the mission of professional excellence it championed remains more relevant than ever. These books were written by authors who remained deeply rooted in the life of the local congregation. Unlike our shorter Conversations in Ministry series, these guides offer in-depth exploration of specific ministerial functions and professional standards.

Books in this series cover essential issues such as writing sermons, interim ministry, self-care, clergy ethics, administrative tasks, and worship leadership. Energion Publications is proud to serve as the independent home for this backlist, providing clergy with tools as professional and rigorous as those found in medicine or law.

We remain grateful for the foundational work of Dr. Cornwall and the original editorial team, and we pray that these resources continue to be a blessing to those who serve—and to the communities they lead.