Fr. Anthony Gittins, C.S.Sp., M.A., Ph.D., is a widely experienced missionary pastor and Professor of Theology and Culture at The Catholic Theological Union since 1984. He held the Bishop Ford Chair of Mission Theology from 1999–2008. Born in Manchester, England, and ordained in 1967, he earned M.A.s in Theoretical Linguistics and Social Anthropology and a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology from the University of Edinburgh. He later pursued post-doctoral research at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
He is the author of fourteen books on theology, anthropology, mission, and spirituality, including Ministry At The Margins: Strategy and Spirituality for Mission (Orbis, 2002), Come, Follow Me: The Commandments of Jesus (Liguori, 2004), Where There’s Hope, There’s Life: Women’s Stories and Practical Theology (Liguori, 2006), and Called to be Sent: Co-Missioned as Disciples Today (Liguori, 2008).
A member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost, Fr. Gittins has taught, offered workshops, and given retreats in more than 35 countries. From 1972–1980 he worked among the Mende people of Sierra Leone as a missionary pastor, linguist, and ethnographer, and from 1980–1984 he was Formation Director in London, where he also lectured at the Missionary Institute. He has also has worked for almost 30 years with homeless women on the streets of Chicago.
Russ –
Read very well
Covers details of the gospel usually dismissed.
Lynn Ann Reesman, Hubertus, WI, USA –
*
Discipleship was clear, insightful, inspiring. Fr. Gittins “adjusted our lens” so that concepts that were very traditional took on a fresh radiance and hope, for us as individuals and as a community.
Jean R. Fisch, O.P., Plantation, FL –
*
The stories of the encounters with human beings and their needs motivated a desire to act as Jesus did.
Holyoke, MA, USA –
*
Clarity of presentation, well organized, excellent teaching skills, thorough content, easy to watch and listen…. mortivational
Miriam Najimy, DHM, Holyoke, MA, USA –
*
Fr. Gittins’ presentation on “Discipleship” is at once affirming and challenging. He reminds us that the Word is as effective as we are willing to be compelled by it, and to incarnate in our day to day life on the ground. I highly recommend it.
Don H., MI –
2015 Spring Survey
Discipleship looks at the whole movement of becoming really involved in living the christian life. Clearly it is not for sissies. It links God’s mission in history with the daily life, prayer and action, of the Christian.
Maureen –
This program appeals to people of different faith formation backgrounds.
I appreciate Tony’s approach: clear theology, Gospel-based, challenging and encouraging. This program appeals to people of different faith formation backgrounds.
Sr. Gemma –
His insights are new and exciting!
I like the way Fr. Gittins weaves in his knowledge of Middle Eastern customs in explaining the Gospel stories. His insights are new and exciting!
Don –
It links God’s mission in history with the daily life.
It looks at the whole movement of becoming really involved in living the Christian life. It links God’s mission in history with the daily life, prayer and action, of the Christian.
S. M. Gemma –
Excellent presentation!
Fr. Gittins does an excellent presentation on explaining the different facets of discipleship. With his knowledge of ancient thought patterns and customs, he is able to give a fresh interpretation to some of the gospel stories, i.e., the rich young man.
Carma C., WY –
Fall Survey: October 2016
I love all Now You Know Media Courses, but at this moment, I love Father Gittins’ “Discipleship.” I just heard him speak at a conference in Laramie, Wyoming, and he is a wonderful speaker. Both his presentation then and his NYKM courses have changed the way I think about discipleship and inspired much stronger spiritual feelings and a desire to serve God and my fellow man in more meaningful ways. He is terrific!
Mary –
Practical and interesting
Excellent guide to the various aspects of discipleship. Practical and interesting presentation.
Carma C., WY –
Winter Survey: January 2017
I love Fr. Gittins’ perspectives on disclipleship… I was privileged to attend a conference recently where Fr. Gittins was a speaker, and his talks were life-changing for me.
Jane C., London, England –
Winter Survey: January 2017
I love the content and the freshness of thought. It spurred me to buy all his books which are full of new insights and very challenging. His new book “The Way of Discipleship” is amazing. Please ask him to do more for NYKM
Maureen K., RGS Bla WA –
Spring Survey: April 2017
I’ve watched this program, used it with groups, and loaned it to individuals. So many people have found it to be clear, challenging and encouraging. The same with Tony’s retreat, especially the segment, “Do This in Memory of Me”.
Sister James X., NJ –
Summer Survey: July 2017
Father Gittins presents Discipleship as rooted in the Mission of Jesus. Father gives the theological background needed to understand Jesus’ Mission…then proceeds to use Gospel pericopes to show how we can live out our ministry as flowing from Jesus’ Mission. I am on my fourth listening…always learning something new about how to put the “zing” in my Evangeli-ZING efforts.