Customer Reviews

The Reformed Pastor: A Pattern for Personal Growth and Ministry (Classics of Faith & Devotion)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Reformed Pastor written Richard Baxter organized and edited By James M. Houston.

What does it mean to be ordained by God to teach a flock and to shepherd a congregation? This book is written by one Pastor to other Pastors in how to disciple the members of his congregation in their Christian walk. To make sure those who belong to the local church have accepted Jesus as Savior and that each individual member is growing spiritually in both knowledge and obedience to the commands of God. The ultimate purpose of the Pastor is to glorify God. The ultimate purpose of any Christian is to glorify God. Richard Baxter believed in catechism of each member of the church he pastored; Catechism was not limited to new members or the youth of the church; it was not left to those working under him. He spent two days a week going to families catechizing families; He had someone else in the church scheduling the dates and the church compensating members for lost time; He kept records of the answers his members, so he knew how they grew in knowledge. The author knew a member could grow in knowledge of the Lord yet not grow in his relationship with the Lord. He believed in God's wrath towards the sinner and God's provision for salvation. A Pastor should demand strong knowledge of theology and prepare strong sermons, yet this should not interfere with him visiting the sick or care for the individual. He argued for essential doctrine and not letting the nonessential divide the body of Christ. This book is an argument for the Pastor/ servant of God's church. To be a servant to God by serving those who belong to the church he pastored and being obedient to God. This work originally written by Richard Baxter is abridged by a James M. Houston.