Student: Langh Gen MacArthur, John. Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically. Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005. John MacArthur did a great job in writing the book “How to Shepherd Biblically.” MacArthur’s great emphasis or main focus in his book is to call pastors or the ministers of God’s word back to the Scriptures as the authoritative basis for developing a philosophy of ministry. The book title itself describes well what the book is all about. Agreement with the author: In summarizing the book, the book is divided into two general categories: 1). What is a Pastor to be? And 2). What is a Pastor to do? I am very much agreement with the author on what he is saying in both categories. For the first category, according to the author, the Pastor is to be humble (he talks about this from pages 15-23) in which, he talks about confidence in God 's power, committed to God 's trust (1 Thessalonians 2.3), commissioned by God 's will (1 Thessalonians 2.4), compelled by God 's knowledge, consumed with God 's glory (2 Corinthians 3:7-11, 4:7, 1 Thessalonians 2:6). A pastor is to be "above reproach" and meet the other qualifications in Titus 1 and 1 Tim 3 (pages 67-80). He must be called which includes confirmation, abilities, longings and lifestyle (pages 81-91). He is also to be trained with godly character, biblical knowledge, and ministry skills (pages. 92-106) and ordained (pages 107-117). Basically though the author is talking and explaining in a wider scope or
The book was very well put together with principal concepts, but it was not always easy to follow and some sections had to be read twice for clear comprehension. The message could have been portrayed using straightforward writing that would enable undergraduates and others that are not seeking higher levels of education to process the information. In simpler terms, this book can be essential to pastors, for personal relationships, and other professions if the language is simplified and made more user-friendly.
In today 's culture the congregational expectations on a pastor are quite different from the vocational spiritual disciplines required for faithful pastoral ministry. The office of the pastor, for the congregation, has become nothing more than a managerial position of running a religious organization. In response to this Eugene Peterson offers his take on the distinctive work of the pastor and the practices that shape pastoral integrity. In his book, Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity, Peterson outlines the practices of prayer, Scripture and spiritual direction as the backbone of faithful pastoral ministry. The following will discuss these practice, there benefit to pastoral ministry and why Peterson call to these practice are important to pastors today.
The calling of a pastor for the Lord is a very high calling as well as position. God has granted the ability of the pastor to lead sheep and teach truth to people. A pastor also has certain convictions that he or she must live up to. These certain convictions keep him or her accountable to God, upholding the stature of being light and salt of this world. Through the content of this paper, every conviction a pastor must have will be discussed, why these convictions are important, and who compromised their convictions.
While the women in the church have an organized discipleship effort happening, there is not a concerted effort to grow men into faithful followers of Jesus Christ. The men of the church need a program where discipleship happens intentionally. The scripture that First Baptist Church uses for it’s vision is Matthew 5:13. The City on a Hill theme comes for this verse. The idea is that we should be salt and light to the world so that others will know Him through us.
Many people have the misconception that just because a man is preacher, that is also a pastor. Some hold to the idea that if one is a preacher, that he holds the title of pastor. There are men who fit the qualifications of a pastor who are also preachers (1 Timothy 5:17); there are, however, men who are preachers who did not fit the qualifications to be considered to hold the office of a pastor. There can be a difference between a preacher and a pastor.
Both Baxter and Witmer, in their books “The Reformed Pastor”,” The Shepherd Leader”, argue about how to be a good leader in a biblical way for Maturate Pastoral Ministry. While Baxter is describing from his own point of view, Witmer harmonizes with Baxter including other points. Firstly, in this essay, we will Compare and contrast Timothy Witmer’s framework for leadership with his “old shepherd friend” Richard Baxter in The Reformed Pastor (1657)
Among the major black denominations, a distinction is usually made between pastors and preachers, with pastor being the official ordained leader of a church, while a preacher may be anyone who preaches with or without benefit of ordination or denominational recognition as a pastor. (Lincoln and Mamiya, p. 292,293)
"Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away“(NIV, 2005, p. ).
“There is much that can be learned about leadership from Scripture” (Smith, 1992, p. 39). The Bible provides us with what God not only desires His man of God to be, but requires His under shepherd to meet His character traits.
Finally a pastor has to know the distinctions of Authority and power. It is not uncommon to see pastors are using power instead of the authority God given them. . "Authority" is responsibility that derived from someone greater than us. That means the full responsibility
There are many people in scripture that God has placed in leadership roles. Jesus himself, David, Moses, Paul, Peter, Abraham and many others are some of those leaders. There are core attributes discussed in the lecture that personally reflect my opinion of what an effective leader of Christ needs such as, a shared vision, model of the way, empowerment of others, challenge of the process, and encouragement of the heart. Leaders establish a model of the way others should be treated and how goals should be pursued, with standards and examples of what others should follow by exemplifying God’s example. Christian leaders inspire a shared vision to make a difference
Willimon explains that “all of the pastor’s sheepherding takes its purpose and content from the pastor’s leadership of worship.” Willimon indicates several points in which I agree with and a few that I struggle with. As a pastor, we assume a responsibility for the people who attend the church. With that responsibility, we also are responsible “to God for the flock.” That responsibility is not to be taken lightly. It is through the worship that pastors have an incredible opportunity to tough the life of many souls. Although it is viewed by many as the pastor touching the souls; it is truly God touching the souls and utilizing the pastor as the vehicle.
The New Testament leaders are an example of how church leaders of today should also behave and work[8]. They ought to be able to teach, guide the believers in the way of God and nurture their spiritual gifts. The New Testament leaders had to boldly defend the word of God in case of any false teaching. Basing on this New Testament leadership, it is important to make sure that any believer appointed to the leadership office has the laid down qualifications[9].
This in short summarizes what the role of a pastor is to be which was illustrated by the head of the Christian church. Today, the role of pastor “in a modern-day “pastor” system is as much a departure from the New Testament pattern of church as is an ecclesiastical hierarchy. No one man can assume the
In this paper, the student-writer will discuss the methods that are taught in In Effective biblical counseling: A model for helping caring Christians become capable counselors by Crabb (1977). The student-writer will also use what is taught in this book with the skills that are expressed in Creating a Healthier Church; Family Systems Theory, Leadership, and congregational life by Richardson (1996) and Blessed Connections: Relationships that sustain vital ministry, by Schwanz (2008). The student-writer will compare and contrast the skills that are mentioned in these books to establish a well maintained way in which to ministry to clients, and meet their needs as a counselor.