Customer Reviews

Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically (MacArthur Pastor's Library)

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The subtitle says it all - "How to Shepherd Biblically." John MacArthur and the Master's Seminary Faculty did a great job writing this book to "call pastors back to the Scriptures as the authoritative basis for developing a philosophy of ministry." This is a great companion to his other books, "Preaching Biblically" and "Master's Plan for the Church."

In summarizing my thoughts on this book, I divide the book into two general categories:

1.) What is a Pastor to BE?

The Pastor is to be humble (pg 15-23) which includes confidence in God's power, committed to God's trust (1 Thes 2.3), commissioned by God's will (1 Thes 2.4), compelled by God's knowledge, consumed with God's glory (2 Cor 3:7-11, 4:7, 1 Thes 2:6). He is to be "above reproach" and meet the other qualifications in Titus 1 and 1 Tim 3 (each qualification is examined on pgs 67-80). He must be called which includes confirmation, abilities, longings and lifestyle (pg 81-91). He is to be trained with godly character, biblical knowledge, and ministry skills (pg 92-106) and ordained (pg 107-117).

2.) What is a Pastor to DO?

The primary objective in shepherding God's flock is to FEED them, that is, he must be "able to teach" them the word of God (1 Tim 3.2, Titus 1.9). In 1 and 2 Timothy, Paul gives pastoral instructions to Timothy to preach, refute, be an example, be diligent, and to suffer (pg 25-26). The Pastor is to equip the members of the congregation so they will use their spiritual gifts to edify one another (pg 55-58). He is to lead the church in the 7 ministries as recorded in scripture: the word, fellowship, Lord's Supper, prayer, outreach, missions, interchurch fellowship (pg 59-63). A pastor is to have a home that is an "example of a mature Christian marriage and family as an encouragement to the other homes in the flock" (pg 123, pg 121-130). He is to abide in Jesus (John 15:7-8) and pray dependently in all situations (Eph 6.10-20) (pg 131-143). He is to "be of sober spirit, on the alert" (1 Pet 5.8, pg 150). He is to study diligently in preparing to preach the scriptures accurately (pg 162-175). He is to provide leadership in the following areas:

a.) Worshiping (pg 189-203).

b.) Preaching (pg 204-213). In much preaching today, Biblical Exposition "takes a back seat to misguided craving for `relevance'" (pg 207) In contrast, Titus 1:9 says a preacher must be noted for "holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict".

c.) Modeling (pg 214-227) (1 Cor 11:1, 1 Thes 2:14).

d.) Leading (pg 228-246). Leadership is the "exercise of one's spiritual gifts under the call of God to serve a certain group of people in achieving the goals God has given them toward end of glorifying Christ" (Gangel) (pg 229-230). Leadership is a gift (Rom 12.8, 1 Cor 12.28). A godly leader is to be a "servant leader" (Matt 23:11, 20:25-28)

e.) Outreaching (pg 247-260). Any approach that "tends to overlay and obscure the realities of the message, and to blunt the edge of their application, it is ungodly and wrong" (quoting Packer) (pg 258).

f.) Discipling (pg 261-271).

g.) Watching and Warning (pg 272-283) [note: this was one of the most important chapters in the book as this is a pastoral responsibility that is so often ignored]. Pastors are to be vigilant as a watchman, guarding against spiritual predators and false teachers (Titus 1:0, Acts 20, 2 Peter, Jude).

h.) Observing the two ordinances of the Lord's Supper and Baptism (pg 284-297).

This book is a great resource for any pastor's library. It goes through step by step on how to be an effective pastor and how to nurture the congregation into sheep worthy of the Good Shepherd.

Currently I am taking a class in seminary and this is the textbook. It if filled with useful information about being a biblical pastor. It has some really deep thoughts and useful applications throughout.

Master's Seminary President John MacArthur, and key faculty members, have prepared this insightful handbook for new pastors. These essays issue a call away from the temptation to treat church as a business, but instead to see pastoral ministry as a call to prayer, worship, servanthood and compassion as a humble shepherd of Christ's flock.

I am careful as I stand humbled by the great many things that the Lord has done through John MacArthur and careful in my approach to the this book.

The outines, precepts and plans of actions are all superlative and his desire to return over and over to the authority of the Word of God is sorely needed in this day of situational ethics and the search for "relevance." This read is a must in everyway if you want to develop a godly Pastorate and growing church.

I just recently finished a class on Pastoral leadership for my M.Div program and had to write a review for this very book and the only critique is one I have had with him for many years ( save his wrong position on the blood) and that is he again leaves 99.9% of all the work of the caring for the flock i.e. hands on to the Deacons and other staff. He goes on to say if you have a calling to meet folks physical needs you should resign the Pastorate and give it to someone who is solely interested in the ministry of the word. ( paraphrase) This has always been his position and one I will until we get it straightened out before the Lord...lol....disagree with him. There is a balance in the minstry and the Shepherd of the Flock has to get down in the mud with the sheep and lift them up sometimes and it aint' the business of the shepherd boys to do it all.

Good Read!!!