Ministers of Christ Walter Lowrie Christian Ministry Church Unity

Ministers of Christ
Walter Lowrie, author

Ministers of Christ
Walter Lowrie (1868-1959), author
Theodore O. Wedel, editor 
New York: The Seabury Press, Inc., 1964. 
Printed in the United States of America. 
v, 186 pages. 5.75 x 8.5 inches, 22 cm. 

With essays in response by George S. Hendry, Ralph D. Hyslop, Franklin H. Littell and John Meyendorff. 

Ministers of Christ by the late Walter Lowrie was first published in 1946 by the Cloister Press. 

This blog post offering by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.

The question to ask is how a book about ministers written in 1946 is relevant in 2016 because if there is no current use for its information there is no purpose in reading it.  Ministers of Christ addresses the role of clerical leadership in building roadblocks as well as opening the way  toward unity between diverse Christian denominations.  which has relevance because there is still no unity. Lowrie addresses unity from the historical context as well as explaining the role and meaning of apostolic succession.  Also included in the book are four responses offered from the Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Methodist and Eastern Orthodox traditions. 

If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. (Mark 3:25)

If moving toward unity is important and I believe it is, then what adds to the discussion and causes us to think is good and healthy. There was only one purpose for which the Messiah first entered into fellowship with the world in human form, and that perhaps is the best and only starting point that diverse Christians around the world need to bind us together as the one Body of Christ.

Walter Lowrie's original work, reprinted here in its entirety, is a discussion of the question of ministry in terms of Church unity. Those commenting on this discussion, sometimes in agreement and sometimes contesting, speak from the viewpoint of four other traditions: Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Methodist and Eastern Orthodox. 

Quote from book (p. 24): The Christian priest, being called by God, acts for God on behalf of the people, not otherwise than does the prophet.  It is common now to draw a sharp distinction between the priest and the prophet.  But when we say priest or prophet we posit a false alternative.  No such contrast is made either in the Old or in the New Testament.  

Contents
Editor's Introduction
Ministers of Christ by Walter Lowrie:
       I Overture
      II The Apostle
     III Recognition of the Ministry
     IV Succession
      V The Bishop
    VI Priesthood
  VII A Common Ministry
Nolo Episcopari by George S. Hendry
A Common Ministry by Ralph D. Hyslop
Apostolicity and Restitution by Franklin H. Littell
The Bishop in the Church by John Meyendorff
Editor's Epilogue
Notes

LINK to Wikipedia article about Walter Lowrie