After nearly fifty years in ministry, Letters to Timothy is John Bisagno's retirement gift to younger and older pastors alike. A voluminous and comprehensive work, it is full of useful advice to ministers covering the "things that might have fallen through the cracks in seminary." This book is a practical manual covering all aspects of pastoral life for clergy in churches of all sizes, locations, and denominations.

John R. Bisagno has spent nearly fifty years in ministry, pastoring for 35 years. Recently retired from the First Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, he continues preaching both in the United States and abroad

Foreword	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
The Church
God's Glorious Church	p. 4
Five Ingredients of Growing Churches	p. 6
The Offices of the Church	p. 9
God's Gift to the Church	p. 11
The Prayer Life of the Church	p. 14
The Church Committees	p. 16
Appointing the Committees	p. 19
Deacons and Their Ministry	p. 23
Deacons and Divorce	p. 26
Church Discipline	p. 30
The Pastor as God's Man
The Call to the Ministry	p. 34
Various Kinds of Ministry	p. 37
The Question of Formal Education	p. 39
Essential Integrity	p. 42
Leading Out of Your Character	p. 44
A Touch of Charisma	p. 46
The Pastor's Personality	p. 48
A Teachable Spirit	p. 51
You and Your People Skills	p. 54
The Pastor's Prayer Life	p. 57
The Pastor's Home	p. 60
Managing Your Time	p. 66
Your Weekly Schedule	p. 70
Outside Speaking Engagements	p. 73
Faithful Over Small Opportunities	p. 75
About Those Greener Pastures	p. 78
Dealing with Pastor Search Committees	p. 81
Faithful to the End	p. 84
The Pastor as Spiritual Leader
The Pastor and His People	p. 88
Casting the Vision	p. 90
Hospital Calls	p. 93
Death Calls	p. 95
Conducting the Funeral	p. 98
The Counseling Ministry	p. 103
Preparation-for-Marriage Course	p. 106
Weddings	p. 110
The Pastor as Organizational Leader
So You Want to Be a Leader	p. 116
Community, Cause, Corporation	p. 120
Making the Tough Decisions	p. 124
Dealing with Opposition	p. 126
Don't Use Up Your Leadership	p. 129
Staying above the Fray	p. 131
Principles of Motivation	p. 134
Streamlining the Organization	p. 137
Things to Control	p. 140
Publicity and Advertising	p. 143
The Church Newspaper	p. 145
Protecting the Church from Liability	p. 148
The Pastar as Preacher
Preparing the Message	p. 154
Delivering the Message	p. 162
Extending the Invitation	p. 166
Doing Good Follow-up	p. 170
The Meaning and Method of Baptism	p. 173
Administering the Lord's Supper	p. 178
Calling Out the Called	p. 181
Great Preachers or Great Pastors	p. 184
Worship Services
Multiple Services	p. 188
The Traditional Music Ministry	p. 193
The Contemporary Music Ministry	p. 196
Dramas and Skits	p. 200
The Atmosphere of the Church	p. 202
Recognizing and Receiving Guests	p. 205
The Use of Public Testimonies	p. 209
Ushers and Greeters	p. 212
The Question of Sunday Nights	p. 215
Supply Preachers	p. 218
Programs and Ministries
Organizing the Sunday Morning Bible Study	p. 222
The Ministry of the Sunday Morning Bible Study	p. 225
Ministry to Adults	p. 229
Ministry to Singles	p. 232
Ministry to Students	p. 236
Ministry to Elementary Children	p. 239
Ministry to Preschoolers	p. 243
Planning and Training for the Sunday Morning Bible Study	p. 247
Special Bible Studies	p. 250
The Bus Ministry	p. 253
The Activities Ministry	p. 256
Planning the Evangelistic Crusade	p. 258
The Art of Effective Change	p. 263
Witness Training and Outreach	p. 267
Vacation Bible School	p. 271
Summer Camps	p. 274
Planting New Churches	p. 278
Special Days	p. 282
Special Events	p. 285
Seizing the Opportunity	p. 288
The Church Staff
Administering the Staff	p. 292
Calling a Staff Member	p. 296
Reassigning and Releasing a Staff Member	p. 300
Delegating Responsibility	p. 303
Observing Anniversaries	p. 306
The Church Finances
Overseeing the Budget	p. 310
Ensuring Financial Responsibility	p. 313
The Issue of Borrowing Money	p. 316
Steps to the Building Program	p. 318
Conducting the Capital Campaign	p. 321
The Benevolence Ministry	p. 324
A Financial Potpourri	p. 327
Facilities and Operations
The Importance of Location and Relocating	p. 332
The Importance of Parking	p. 335
Building and Grounds	p. 338
Your Physical Environment	p. 340
Security	p. 344
Food Services	p. 347
Should the Church Own Vehicles?	p. 350
Other Important Matters
Ordaining and Licensing Ministers	p. 354
The Library and Resource Center	p. 356
Starting Schools	p. 358
The Question of Childhood Conversion	p. 362
The Use of Radio	p. 365
The Use of Television	p. 367
The Use of the Internet	p. 369
Preparing the Church for an Interim	p. 373
Retiring: Getting It Right	p. 377
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.

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Letters to Timothy A Handbook for Pastors

9780805423877

0805423877

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