The Heart of a Great Pastor; How to Grow Stronger and Thrive Wherever God Has Planted You

by H.B. London

• ISBN13: 9780830742806
• ISBN10: 0830742808
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-09-05
• Publisher: Regal

Summary

A great pastor is not measured by the size of the congregation, weekly attendance, or the number of conversions each year. A great pastor is measured by a willingness to serve in any circumstance, even the most humble. It's not always easy. Other pastors may seem more successful, or have more programs, or pack the pews every Sunday. You may wonder-is this really what God has called me to do? Whether you are a veteran pastor wanting to take a fresh look at your ministry, or a new pastor just starting out, you'll find help and inspiration here. The journey may be long and difficult, but God has a unique plan for you and your ministry.

Author Biography

H.B. LONDON, Jr., is vice president of church, clergy and medical outreach for Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A fourth-generation minister, he was a pastor for 31 years before joining Focus on the Family. H.B. communicates with thousands of pastors and church leaders each week through \u201cThe Pastor\u2019s Weekly Briefing\u201d (a fax network) and produces a bi-monthly \u201cPastor to Pastor\u201d cassette and newsletter. He was the former host of a daily radio program, Lifeline to Truth in Salem, Oregon and in the Los Angeles area, as well as host of a weekly television program, A New Way to Live in Portland, Oregon. H.B. is author, with Neil B. Wiseman, of Pastors at Greater Risk, For Kids\u2019 Sake and The Shepherd\u2019s Covenant for Pastors. NEIL B. WISEMAN is a veteran pastor, clergy educator, writer, editor and small-church consultant. Perhaps his foremost passion in life and ministry has been the development of pastors. He has been a pastor\u2019s advocate through his writings, editing and publication of more than 30 books. He has also worked in the area of pastoral development in clergy education at Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Wiseman founded the quarterly magazine GROW, was the founder of Preaching Today– a monthly audio sermon resource now produced by Christianity Today, founded and directed Small Church Institute and served as pastor to local congregations for 20 years.

Table of Contents

Preface What Matters to You Matters to Us	9	(3)
Foreword To the New Generation-Are You Ready for the Changing of the Guard?	12	(2)
Introduction Jesus, the Pastor—Our Model for Ministry	14	(5)
Chapter 1 Every Assignment Is Holy Ground	19	(18)
Just as God used an ordinary bush ablaze with the Presence to capture Moses' attention, He stands ready to fill your ordinary places with His Presence.
Our Lord specializes in transforming tough ministry assignments into gratifying Kingdom adventures.
Chapter 2 Partnership with the Master Gardener	37	(16)
This holy partnership links every pastor to the omnipotent God.
Such an affiliation assures us that He will help us produce a bumper crop that is beyond our highest hopes and wildest imagination.
Chapter 3 Bloom Where You're Planted	53	(20)
God wants ministry to bloom, bear lasting fruit and have strong roots in every setting.
He wants His people fed and loved in every place.
He expects the pastor to plant quality seed, cultivate, water, weed and give attention to soul conditions and temperatures.
Then He gives the increase.
Chapter 4 Live in the Present Fully	73	(16)
Vibrant adventures in ministry must be focused on today.
Dreams for the future and respect for the past are most helpful when used to productively inform the present.
Chapter 5 Energized by a Dream	89	(28)
The world desperately needs on-site dreamers who passionately focus on the gospel and its meaning to contemporary people and culture.
Every congregation needs a new dream in the heart of its pastor to keep it stirred to what God wants done through a local congregation.
Chapter 6 Fall in Love with Your Call Again	117	(20)
When the honeymoon is over, your daily tasks become humdrum and you want to bail out.
Wrap your arms around your ministry and it will love you back in ways beyond your loftiest dreams.
Chapter 7 Perks Only Pastors Enjoy	137	(20)
Fringe benefits often are thought of as vacation pay, sick leave, health insurance and retirement pay.
Although ministers may receive such benefits, they also enjoy perks unknown to persons in any other profession.
Chapter 8 A Personalized Blueprint for Ministry	157	(18)
As the uniqueness of each individual is reflected in a DNA profile, so God has created a special ministry for you: a blueprint to help Him complete an important task for the Kingdom through you.
Chapter 9 Grow a Great Soul	175	(24)
Calisthenics for the inner life are offered for getting in shape spiritually, including resisting the seduction ofsafety, using spiritual dynamite, retaining spiritual freshness, getting to know the saints, praying risky prayers and enjoying God.
Chapter 10 A Fresh Encounter with God	199	(24)
Spiritual development never works for "them" before it starts with "us" and "me.
"Like so many things in ministry, revival in any congregation depends on leadership, priority and visibility.
Chapter 11 Credibility—Making Good on Our Trust	223	(16)
By placing great trust in pastors, God has created a stretching relationship in which no one would want to disappoint Him.
The heartbreaking letter at the close of the chapter gives strong advice on how to avoid moral pitfalls.
Chapter 12 Maintaining Personal Purity	239	(16)
Hard-hitting issues are discussed, such as keeping the home fires burning, sabotaging the sex revolution with purity and prevention, keeping your maleness under the Lordship of Christ, and waking up to the porn tsunami.
Epilogue Don't Try to Do It Alone	255	(4)
Endnotes	259	(5)
Meet the Authors	264