Working the Angles

Author: Eugene Peterson
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 1467419184
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 204

Book Description
American pastors, says Eugene Peterson, are abandoning their posts at an alarming rate. They are not leaving their churches and getting other jobs. Instead, they have become "a company of shopkeepers, and the shops they keep are churches." Pastors and the communities they serve have become preoccupied with image and standing, with administration, measurable success, sociological impact, and economic viability. In Working the Angles, Peterson calls the attention of his fellow pastors to three basic acts--which he sees as the three angles of a triangle--that are so critical to the pastoral ministry that they determine the shape of everything else. The acts--prayer, reading Scripture, and giving spiritual direction--are acts of attention to God in three different contexts: oneself, the community of faith, and another person. Only by being attentive to these three critical acts, says Peterson, can pastors fulfill their prime responsibility of keeping the religious community attentive to God. Written out of the author's own experience as pastor of a "single pastor church," this well-written, provocative book will be stimulating reading for lay Christians and pastors alike.

Pastor as Person

Author: Gary L. Harbaugh
Publisher: Fortress Press
ISBN: 9780806621159
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 176

Book Description
Harbaugh captures your interest with dramatic stories of the inner lives of working pastors, weaving these stories into patterns of meaning from his own reflection and research. An excellent study guide for the individual pastor, the pastor's support group, or the seminary class that really wants to come to grips with the dilemmas of being a person who is also a pastor.

Integrity of Pastoral Care

Author: David Lyall
Publisher: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge
ISBN: 9780281050260
Category : Pastoral counseling
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
Lyall presents a study of pastoral care as the central pastoral ministry of the church, relating it to other functions of Christian ministry. The theological importance of pastoral care is explored, and other pastoral activities.

The Truth Shall Make You Odd

Author: Frank G. Honeycutt
Publisher: Brazos Press
ISBN: 1441214488
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 208

Book Description
In the life of a pastor, it can be tempting to offer half-truths that make everyone happy and the pastor popular. Speaking difficult truths may anger or alienate church members, but authentic pastoral care sometimes requires it. How can those in ministry speak honestly in the inevitable awkward situations they face? Here a wise and witty pastor-storyteller draws on his church life experiences over the past twenty-five years--including sermons, funerals, and board meetings--to offer nitty-gritty guidance on handling the uncomfortable situations that all pastors face. Utilizing humor and encouragement and speaking across denominational lines, Frank Honeycutt examines a variety of biblical contexts where the truth of Jesus is difficult to hear, but direly needed--especially in settings where half-truths are the norm. He shows pastors how to courageously speak the truth no matter the risk or cost.

Tend My Flock

Author: Kate Litchfield
Publisher: Canterbury Press
ISBN: 1848253559
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 225

Book Description
A companion and guide for ordained and lay ministers seeking to live their pastoral ministry well, amid all the complexities and pressures of contemporary society. It addresses issues which often remain unspoken, inviting dialogue, reflection, honest self-examination and the courage to share struggles and dilemmas with others.

Pastoral Care in the Small Membership Church

Author: James L. Killen
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 0687343267
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 115

Book Description
An introduction to pastoral care for pastors of small membership churches. "If you spend your whole life serving small membership churches and doing it well, yours will have been a life well spent." Small membership churches have a real advantage when it comes to incorporating people into a fellowship where they are known and where their needs are met. These churches and their pastors have an opportunity for excellence in this area, and should make the most of it. Good pastoral care can be the key to effectiveness in all of the other ministries of the church.From getting acquainted with your congregation, weddings and funerals, picking up on subtle cues in a conversation to not-so-subtle conflicts, Killen shares insights from years of ministry in a small membership church setting. James L. Killen, Jr. is a retired elder of the Texas Conference, contributor to Circuit Rider, and author of Who Do You Say That I Am? A Personal Reader.

The Care of Souls

Author: Harold L. Senkbeil
Publisher: Lexham Press
ISBN: 1683593022
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 268

Book Description
Drawing on a lifetime of pastoral experience, The Care of Souls is a beautifully written treasury of proven wisdom which pastors will find themselves turning to again and again. Harold Senkbeil helps remind pastors of the essential calling of the ministry: preaching and living out the Word of God while orienting others in the same direction. And he offers practical and fruitful adviceâ€"born out of his five decades as a pastorâ€"that will benefit both new pastors and those with years in the pulpit. In a time when many churches have lost sight of the real purpose of the church, The Care of Souls invites a new generation of pastors to form the godly habits and practical wisdom needed to minister to the hearts and souls of those committed to their care.

Ethics for Christian Ministry

Author: Joe E. Trull
Publisher: Baker Academic
ISBN: 1493411519
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 421

Book Description
This one-of-a-kind resource in professional ethics helps today's Christian leaders maintain a high moral character and lifestyle and sharpen their personal and professional decision-making skills. Two experienced teachers and pastors address both current and perennial ethical issues and offer guidance for developing a personal code of ethics to maintain integrity in the work of ministry. The authors address the nature of ethical decision making as well as practical areas where integrity can be compromised, including issues raised by the use of smartphones and social media. Appendixes include codes of ethics from various denominations.

Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work

Author: Eugene H. Peterson
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 1467420131
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 238

Book Description
Whereas much of the current literature on pastoring stresses up-to-date training and new techniques stemming from the behavioral sciences, Eugene Peterson here calls for returning to an "old" resource--the Bible--as the basis for all of pastoral ministry. Originally published in 1980 and now being reprinted to meet continuing demand, Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work shows how five Old Testament books provide a solid foundation for much of what a pastor does: Prayer-Directing: Song of Songs Story-Making: Ruth Pain-Sharing: Lamentations Nay-Saying: Ecclesiastes Community-Building: Esther Pointing to the relevance of ancient wisdom, adapting Jewish religious tradition to contemporary pastoral practice, and affirming a significant link between pastoral work and the act of worship, this book opens up to pastors a wealth of valuable practical-theological insights.

Pastoral Ministry

Author: Richard H. Warneck
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780758658593
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 524

Book Description
While thorough and scholarly, Dr. Richard H. Warneck's presentation is also insightful and practical. He not only speaks to the many challenges faced by pastors, but also presents the theological foundation of pastoral ministry in such a way as to inspire and restore the vision of parish ministry for pastors and their congregations. Book jacket.