Listening to the Voice of God: How Your Ministry Can Be Transformed (Pastor's Soul) [Hardcover]

Roger Barrier (Author), David L. Goetz (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1998 | Series: Pastor's Soul (Book 4)

TRANSFORM YOUR MINISTRY!

Most pastors enter the ministry to accomplish great things for God's kingdom. But many soon discover that the long hours spent at church and performing pastoral duties make it very difficult to step away from the world and listen for the voice of God. This can cause pastors to feel frustrated, angry, and even despairing.

In Listening to the Voice of God, Roger Barrier draws on his own experience of over 20 years in ministry to help pastors focus on their true calling, deal with conflict in the church, stand by their convictions, and learn to hear and heed God's voice. THE PASTOR'S SOUL series is a must-read for any pastor who is struggling to set kingdom priorities while balancing the demands of the church against the needs of family.

The pastor of a church that experienced rapid growth, Barrier knows and deals with the topics that are close to the heart of many of those working in the ministry:

Working through conflicts in the church Keeping marriage and family relationships strong Handling personal issues of pride, depression, overwork, and more Helping people escape the bondage of occultism

Throughout the book, however, Barrier's main focus in on acknowledging that the only way a pastor can achieve God's purpose is to learn to hear and obey His voice. Providing practical advice, Barrier tells how he learned to do this, and the amazing results that occurred when he opened his heart and life to hearing and following God's voice.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roger Barrier pastors the 6,000-member Casas Adobes Baptist Church in Tuscon, Arizona. He holds seminary degrees from Baylor University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Golden Gate Seminary. Parents of three daughters, Barrier and his wife live in Arizona.

David L. Goetz is editor of LEADERSHIP Resources, a division of LEADERSHIP (a publication of Christianity Today, Inc.), the most respected journal in America for pastors and church leaders. size : 5.6 x 8.5

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556619723
• ISBN-13: 978-1556619724
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,193,164 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Helpful for the Monday-morning-I-failed-again-pastoral-blues, December 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Listening to the Voice of God: How Your Ministry Can Be Transformed (Pastor's Soul) (Hardcover)

Primarily anecdotal rather than scriptural in nature Barrier is clearly committed to five aspects of pastoral work: Word, Prayer, Listening for God's voice, Personal Transformation and Shared Ministry. This book reads easily -- like a series of ten articles culled from the pages of LEADERSHIP. No surprise there! What is perhaps surprising is how easily Barrier reveals his own flaws as pastor, husband, friend, community leader and father without dwelling on his pain. Neither exploiting his weaknesses to garner sympathy nor stretching them to fill pages, Barrier tells a story, makes a point and moves forward. This book need not be read in sequential order as each chapter stands alone. I advise dipping into the chapter addressing your situation. Read and savor as you have need. I disagree with his interpertation of Hebrews 4:12 (page 53), instead arguing for the "mind" reclaimed by Christ as also of merit in discerning the voice and will of God. This aside, Barrier has rendered me a personal service -- I've made some mistakes, but I've never confronted a High School linebacker in the service, announced a building remodel before I measured the room's dimensions, preached a one-sentence sermon, nor started a deliverence ministry without running it past our elders. Now, for certain, I won't! Seriously, I put this book away refreshed and encouraged by Rev. Barrier. His call to carefully consider whether I want to hear the voice of God challanged me. I wished I lived closer to Tucson -- I would love to continue the conversation, sharing with him my many marginal notes and questions.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, January 14, 2006

By 

R. Carroll "revray2" (Western KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Listening to the Voice of God: How Your Ministry Can Be Transformed (Pastor's Soul) (Hardcover)

It is difficult for me to understand the hate filled reviews below. I knew Roger Barrier had some who did not like him and did not agree with him, but I was unaware that the venom and anger was that bad. My experience with Roger is limited, but he is a man of compassion who knows the heart of the pastor - and that comes through clearly in this book. Scripture is our guide for life, but we are also to be aware of the leading of the Holy Spirit as He leads us. That is the message of this book and it is simple and concise.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and Insightful, June 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Listening to the Voice of God: How Your Ministry Can Be Transformed (Pastor's Soul) (Hardcover)

Before beginning I must admit that I am a bit biased as I call Casas Adobes Baptist Church my home. I am not a pastor but found this book to be vital to my spiritual growth. Roger writes beautifully and from the heart and that's apparent while reading his book. The examples from his own life are touching and inspiring. I hope you will by this book and that it will help you as it has helped me, whether you are a pastor or not. I have recommended this book to many of my friends and they have enjoyed it as much as I have. Thank you Roger!