The Word on the Street: An Invitation to Community Ministry

David M. Kelly is a teaching assistant at Brock University in St.
Catharines.

This book is an ecumenical collection of pastoral anecdotes from
ministers whose ministries focus on the socially and economically
disadvantaged members of society. Under the polite term “community
ministry,” we are introduced to derelicts, drug addicts, prostitutes,
as well as average citizens who suddenly find themselves jobless,
homeless, and—inevitably—friendless. The main task of these
community ministries is to bring to public attention the special value
of each of these unfortunates—in other words, to recognize the Spirit
of Christ in each individual and to react to that worthy spirit
according to Christian principles, however difficult the task.

Hard-hitting and beautifully written, this book will be invaluable for
pastors and seminarians, particularly those engaged in social work. No
one preparing for an inner-city ministry should be without a copy. Even
so, because of the graphic nature of the narrative, casual readers may
find the book disturbing—but perhaps that is a good thing.