Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenge is an essential book for ministry leaders. This enlightening book addresses major topics that are easily applicable to strategic leadership and especially valuable to leaders within ministry. This paper addresses the book’s topics of: inspiring a shared vision, enabling others to act, and encouraging the heart, which are applied to Christian ministry.

Before Jesus left, He said to his disciples, "You tarry in Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." And He said, "You will receive power after that when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And then you will be my witnesses, in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and to the utter-most parts of the earth."

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

grown strong in the Lord. These are reliable disciples who are qualified to teach others.14 2

God’s primary way of developing leaders was through mentoring. The most positive and effective technique to prepare people for life and leadership is through mentoring. As Christians, we are charged to “help the weak and encourage the timid” and to “serve and care for the flock.” A task impossible for church leaders to personally mentor so they assist prospective mentees in finding qualified godly mentors, as

Charles Spurgeon lays out a comprehensive ministerial guide for students and pastors. There is an enormous amount of energy directed towards the minister’s lifestyle, spirituality, and sincerity. Spurgeon makes the case that ministry must be handled with precision, attentiveness, and truth. He further shares, “What a dreadful thing it will be for me if I should be ignorant of the power of the truth which I am preparing to proclaim” (2010, Chap. I). The preacher must take great care in managing his own soul before pursuing the heart of others.

"I will believe that you are the son of God, and I will support you, but for tonight, please take charge in my stead, and dismiss the people."

This book has ‘Discussion Questions’ at the end of each chapter for discussing with each other. This is a great benefit for the learner. Through these questions, I had a meditation time for living the better life that God wants. I was not only able to fix my evil habit and pattern, but I was able to widen the width of deep thought. In my opinion, it will be informative and very entertaining to share with each other in class or small group meeting regarding ‘Discussion Questions’.

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. "

afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth

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

is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation”

“Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, this is My Beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him! When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. Jesus came to them and touched them and said, get up, and do not be afraid. Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has

Explanation: Jesus continued his discourse, explaining to the disciples that he had spoken those things to them so that they would not be offended or surprised when these persecutions would come. And when that time would come, they would remember what he had said and be prepared. Jesus had not spoken to them about it earlier because he had been with them, but now he was preparing them for his departure and ascension. He warned them that the time would come when they would be excommunicated from the synagogues and killed. And the people that did that to them would think they were doing God’s will, because they did not truly know the Father. But Jesus was going to his Father, and the disciples were sad at his going. Nonetheless, it was good for them that he was going away, because when he left, the Comforter would come. And when the Spirit would come, he would teach the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment: of sin, because they did not believe in Jesus; of righteousness, because he was going the Father; of judgment, because the prince of this world would be judged. And though Jesus could not tell his disciples everything they needed to know, the Spirit of truth would come and guide them. And he would tell them what he had heard of the things that would come. And he would glorify Jesus because he would speak what Jesus would tell him. And the Father gives all things to the Son; so that what is of the Father is of the Son, and the things of the Son are of the Father.