This book explores the shifting role of the minister in light of the experiences of college men in the United States. Young men frequently struggle to know what it means to be a man and doubt that churches can supply the meaning and direction for which they hunger. These men are not necessarily lost, but they do need a certain kind of spiritual accompaniment that is likely to push many ministers outside of postures and practices with which they have grown comfortable. This interdisciplinary work draws together feminist and masculinist theories, contemporary practices in campus ministry, recent literature on religious deconversion and individual interviews with college men in order to argue for new ways amid the practice of ministry. This work invites ministers to become more apophatic-to grow comfortable with moving away from clarity and to adopt ungrasping postures of ministry that attend to the unfolding theology of the individual. This repositions campus ministers to support young adults from a range of spiritual commitments. Disaffiliating Ministry invites ministers to eliminate wasteful ministerial habits, to explore new ministry practices and to enjoy the freedom of accompanying young men in processes of leaving behind attitudes and actions that cease to be life giving while deepening in faith, courage and responsibility for others.

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter One: Gender and Men's Apophatic Quests

Chapter Two: Men's Movements and Feminist Responses

Chapter Three: Contemporary Pastoral Strategies with College Men

Chapter Four: Power and Responsibility in Ministry

Chapter Five: Ministry with Those Who Will Not Check a Box

Chapter Six: College Men Navigating Gender and Spirituality

Chapter Seven: Young Men Remaining Close to the Church

Chapter Eight: Young Men Moving Away from the Church

Chapter Nine: On Prodigality in Ministry

Conclusion: Ministry's Disaffiliations

Bibliography

About the Author