The Power of the Call [Hardcover]

Kerry L. Skinner (Author), Henry Blackaby (Author), Kenny Skinner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1997

Whether you find yourself on the verge of burnout or simply need someone to fan the flames of your faith, take time to experience afresh The Power of the Call. This practical and uplifting guide takes a biblically sound and realistic look at how God provides fully for every need a pastor, or anyone called into the ministry, will face. And it reminds us that success in a church is not what we think it is; it's what God thinks it is.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kerry L. Skinner, D.Min., has served in pastoral roles for more than thirty years with an emphasis in Christian discipleship and pastoral counseling. He was mentored by the late Dr. Henry Brandt and also served as associate to Dr. Henry Blackaby (co-author of Experiencing God) in the office of Prayer, Revival, and Spiritual Awakening for the North American Mission Board. Today, Dr. Skinner is senior associate pastor of Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama. His books with Brandt include The Heart of the Problem and Marriage God's Way, an ECPA Gold Medallion Award finalist. Dr. Skinner and his wife, Elaine, have one son and three grandchildren.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: B&H Books (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080546297X
• ISBN-13: 978-0805462975
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #700,379 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Challenge of Blackaby and Brandt, April 9, 2001

By 

Terri J. Cook (St. Albans, WV United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Power of the Call (Hardcover)

I enjoyed this book because it was one of the three texts I was required to read for a course; however, it was the only one that presented a challenge to one's personal holiness.

The book discussed "the call", counseling others, our spiritual walk when things are going good and when encountering inconvenience and much worse things in life.

Brandt presents his views from the professional counselor, devoted layman's perspective while Blackaby gives his opinion from the viewpoint of the leader or preacher. Each intersperces their narrative with supporting scripture.

I found the book one to assure your humbleness. Some find the book "holier than thou" so warning, if you have a problem with someone telling you many of your problems come from yourself due to SIN, don't read it or you will be upset!

It is worth the read.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't Buy This Book Because of Its Cover!, January 4, 2003

By 

David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Power of the Call (Hardcover)

I must say I was disappointed after reading this book. I have seen my own life and the lives of many church members transformed by Blackaby's "Experiencing God" material. Based upon the book jacket comments, I had hoped this volume would have similar significance for pastors particularly. I was mistaken.

First, the majority of this work is written not by Henry Blackaby, but by Henry Brandt. Blackaby follows Brandt's chapters, giving his own thoughts on the material Brandt has covered. Brandt is solid biblically and theologically, but he simply isn't Blackaby.

Second, the title of this book is misleading -- "God's Standards for Christian Leaders" would have been much more accurate. There are four sections presented by Brandt and Blackaby: God's standard for your calling, God's standard for your message, God's standard for your heart, and God's standard for your ministry.

Third, this volume does NOT focus upon the unique calling and experience of pastors. The book jacket states, "God Himself is the power in the pastor and the Christian leader's call! Pastors spend their days -- and often their nights -- ministering to others. But who ministers to pastors? God does!" The sections listed in the previous paragraph of this review are addressed to Christian leaders in general, not pastors in particular. While a few comments are made that focus on pastors, the vast majority of the content could apply to anyone serving in a Christian ministry.

This book isn't bad; it is just entirely different than the work described on its jacket. If you want a book written by Henry Brandt describing God's standards for Christian leaders in general, with comments interjected by Henry Blackaby, then buy this one. If you want a volume directed specifically to pastors describing the power of God's call to ministry, then look elsewhere.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent advice on pastoral counseling, April 4, 2001

By 

Keith A. Schubert "Keith" (Upstate NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Power of the Call (Hardcover)

This book does exactly what the synopsis states by showing us "how God provides fully for every situation and need a pastor will face." The contributions by Henry Brandt on pastoral counseling were phenomenal. He clearly illustrates how the pastor is to use the Word of God in counseling. He states that the vast majority of people who come for counseling are suffering from the effects of sin in their lives. They need someone to gently show them from the Bible the root of their problems and God's cure. If you've ever struggled with counseling as a pastor I would suggest you read this book.