Donald Senior, CP, (1940-2022), was a professor of New Testament at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He served for twenty-three years as president of CTU and was its chancellor. He was a frequent lecturer and speaker throughout the United States and abroad and served on a variety of boards and commissions, including the Pontifical Biblical Commission. He published extensively on biblical topics, with numerous books and articles for both scholarly and popular audiences.
Fr. Donald Senior has given us a great gift in this easy-to-read
overview of ecclesial administration. Guiding or steering a
ship-kubernetes in Greek-is the word St. Paul uses in 1 Corinthians
12 to speak of administration. In this book, Fr. Senior provides a
firm biblical foundation for the charism of `steering' the barque
of Christ-flowing from the call of Jesus who laid out the vision of
the servant leader. The Church on mission needs servants good at
planning, coordination, and communication. With this book, Fr.
Senior contributes to a ministry easily taken for granted.
Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, DD, Archbishop of Louisville,
President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
"Donald Senior brings together in this volume a wealth of personal
and professional experience: extensive theological study, research,
writing, and teaching, along with twenty-three years as president
of a graduate school of theology. He provides a cogent scriptural
foundation for understanding the work of administration as both a
calling and a gift and does so in ways that are inviting,
inspiring, and encouraging. Senior's stirring words find genuine
and profound meaning in everything from fund-raising to finances.
This is a must-read for all who are called to serve as
administrators."
Abbot Gregory Polan, OSB, Conception Abbey
"The Gift of Administration is itself a gift to leaders of
religious institutions. Donald Senior is as able a New Testament
scholar as he is an administrative leader, and he connects
administration in the present moment with patterns of churchly
leadership described in the New Testament. The result is true
wisdom from the long tradition in a field dominated by advice from
present experience. The Gift of Administration is simply the best
book I have ever read on administrative leadership; it stands high
above a crowded field of contenders."
Daniel Aleshire, Executive Director, Association of Theological
Schools in the United States and Canada
"With equal parts erudition and inspiration in his remarkable book,
The Gift of Administration, Donald Senior reframes the necessary
work of administration as life-giving ministry. Grounded in
Scripture and rich theological tradition, this book will surely
inform and encourage all who are entrusted with the leadership and
management of faith-based organizations."
Kerry Alys Robinson, Executive Director, National Leadership
Roundtable on Church Management
"The time was long overdue for a biblical and theological book
about administrative work. The beauty of The Gift of Administration
is that Senior not only draws rich material from Scripture but also
provides indispensable frames from different theologians and
leaders like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Pope Francis for approaching
the role of administrator. This is a unique and invaluable
resource."
Rick Bliese, President, In Trust Center for Theological Schools
"The author of The Gift of Administration holds the unusual
credentials of a renowned biblical scholar and a skilled, admired
administrator. The book reflects the gifts of both vocations as
Donald Senior fittingly brings to bear the biblical imperatives
that require leaders to serve without seeking honors. In a central
chapter on the responsibility of building community, he identifies
many qualities of a truly spiritual leader, such as one who is
courageous, compassionate, humble, truthful, and understanding.
Throughout the book, those looking for practical applications will
find them in chapters on mission and planning, finances and
fund-raising, among many others. "
Sister Katarina Schuth, OSF, PhD, Endowed Chair for the Social
Scientific Study of Religion, St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity,
University of St. Thomas
“Father Donald Senior’s latest work combines sound exegesis with
astute reflections that are the fruit of a long and successful
career in higher education administration. In identifying the
various activities of the administrator—articulating the mission,
leading, planning, fund-raising, communicating—as expressions of
discipleship that are founded in the New Testament itself, Father
Senior has uncovered a hitherto neglected theological and spiritual
depth of administration. And, as we have come to expect
from Father Senior, he writes with clarity and precision. This
book should be required reading for bishops, pastors, mission
leaders, educational administrators, or anyone else who has
responded to the call to be a steward of the church’s goods.”
Rev. Seán Charles Martin, President, Aquinas Institute of
Theology
"A well-written book on the spiritual work of leadership. The
author identifies the importance of faithful, thoughtful, and
inspired leadership that helps the institution to remember its
mission. He does an excellent job utilizing scripture as a guide
for leadership."Catholic Press Association award, 2nd place
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