Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry [Hardcover]

John MacArthur (Author), Master's College Faculty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 1995

Encouraging, insightful and challenging, Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry is designed for a new generation of shepherds who seek to lead with the passion of the apostles. Written by MacArthur and his colleagues at The Master's Seminary, this guide outlines the biblical priorities essential to effective ministry.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 12, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849910927
• ISBN-13: 978-0849910920
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #443,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Widely known for his thorough, candid approach to teaching God's Word, John MacArthur is a popular author and conference speaker and has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969. John and his wife, Patricia, have four grown children and fourteen grandchildren.
John's pulpit ministry has been extended around the globe through his media ministry, Grace to You, and its satellite offices in seven countries. In addition to producing daily radio programs for nearly 2,000 English and Spanish radio outlets worldwide, Grace to You distributes books, software, audiotapes, and CDs by John MacArthur.
John is president of The Master's College and Seminary and has written hundreds of books and study guides, each one biblical and practical. Best-selling titles include The Gospel According to Jesus, Truth War, The Murder of Jesus, Twelve Ordinary Men, Twelve Extraordinary Women, and The MacArthur Study Bible, a 1998 ECPA Gold Medallion recipient.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book, March 15, 2002

By 

Eric N. Landstrom (Nevis, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry (Hardcover)

John MacArthur and company lay down the foundation for the pastoral office covering the biblical requirements and duties the office is to perform. The book offers examples of pastoral theology throughout (many of which made it into my notes) and is written in a non-technical fashion. The book, as with Oden's Pastoral Theology, is geared for those who are looking to enter the teaching office. Of importance is a chapter devoted to scaring off those who are not truly called to fulfill the teaching office. This I truly feel is of great importance and something which another book, Biblical Eldership (Alexander Strauch, 1995), also dwells upon but Oden's Pastoral Theology fails to drive home with enthusiasm. Unfortunately Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry does not dwell long upon the idea that a good pastor can do, or teach, good theology (as contrasted with simple doctrine) which Oden's book spends time upon (pp. 141-152). Rather, MacArthur's work centers more upon practical matters of the pastoral office. This is not to say that the idea of pastors doing good theology isn't presented in this book, but that a chapter isn't devoted to the idea. Of special interest is a chapter on worshipping, which frankly, is the best I've read in a concentrated study.
Although MacArthur holds to Reformed theology, there was only one instance within this work were this came to the forefront and drove his conclusions (p. 92, re: grace extended to children based upon parents beliefs). Overall MacArthur strikes me a sincere and compassionate minister who deeply cares for the direction of the church and those who shall lead it in the future and I would recommend this book to any Christian seeking to learn more about the office of elder/pastor.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Work on Pastoral Theology, February 17, 2002

By 

Allen Mickle "Allen Mickle" (St. George, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry (Hardcover)

Despite the previous review of this book, I recommend it to all. Dr. MacArthur, and The Master's Seminary Faculty has done a great service to pastor's everywhere.

First, the book is comprehensive. It deals with as many issues pertaining to pastoral leadership that you can shake a stick at. It ranges from the pastor and his study, to the pastor and congregational prayer, and everything in between.

Second, just because a book advocates a particular theological position (especially since it is based on Scripture) does not make it wrong. MacArthur and company do an excellent job advocating their position, and this reviewer agrees whole-heartedly. As a pastor myself, I understand the pressure that is put on us to be examples and leaders. Scripture says to not be a teacher if you do not have to be because they will be judged harsher. If that does not illustrate the extremely difficult position of being a pastor then I do not know what does. MacArthur does not advocate perfection in the pastorate. He knows as well as I that that is impossible on this side of heaven. What he does advocate is "above reproach" pastoring, which is clearly seen in 1 Timothy. As for the women issue... there is not room to deal with that issue here. It is more complex than the other reviewer is letting on. As for this reviewer, I accept the complementarian approach and think that MacArthur and company do a good job at advocating it.

There are issues I have with this book. It's more "elder rule" type governing system (especially dividing teaching and ruling elders), has a great deal of Scripture to deal with before one can see it as the biblical approach.

All in all though, this is an excellent book. I recommend it to all who are interested in accomplishing biblical pastoral leadership. It should probably be supplemented by other volumes, including Joseph M. Stowell's "Shepherding the Church" and John Armstrong's "Reforming Pastoral Ministry."

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Master's Seminary Guide to Ministry, July 7, 2003

By 

Todd Hudnall (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry (Hardcover)

If you desire to emulate the pastoral ministry of John MacArthur, or you would like to be a student at Master's Seminary, or you dream of building a church modeled after Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, this is the book for you. In "Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry" you will find a condensed version of the pastoral theology curriculum of Master's Seminary. The book looks at the role of the pastor, the qualifications of a pastor, the personal and public sides of the pastors life, and the major areas of church ministry. While the Bible seems to provide principles and guidelines in which individual churches are allowed to express their unique ministries, I found MacArthur and his team to be very opinionated and dogmatic about the way church should be done. Many of his methods and concepts would be both impractical and ineffective for the majority of the church world. The Bible sets the bar high when it comes to qualifying for the pastoral office. I found MacArthur sets the qualifications even higher than that which Scripture requires. Portions of the book provide valuable teaching for all evangelical pastors and churches. The author's high view of Scripture and Biblical authority is refreshing. Despite my cautions about the book, it is a valuable contribution to pastoral literature. If your views are the same as MacArthur or you're willing to wade through his dogma on disputable issues, you'll be enriched by the book.