Conduct Gospel Centered Funerals

Bring Gospel Hope in the Midst of Death The phone rings: “Pastor, can you do my mother’s funeral?” Or, “Please help us—our baby just died.” Death comes unexpectedly, giving you two to three days of time to prepare a sermon—in the midst of caring for a grieving family. This helpful book walks a pastor through the logistics of memorial services, burials, and working with funeral homes—using the four P’s: Plan, Prepare, Preach, and Perform. It shows how to magnify Christ and the gospel in the midst of all the details, demands, and sorrow that surrounds the death of a loved one. The Practical Shepherding series of books provides pastors and ministry leaders with advice and practical help to do the work of pastoral ministry in a local church. In Conduct Gospel-Centered Funerals, experienced pastors Brian Croft and Phil A. Newton offer readers a concise guide to conducting funerals that glorify God and offer a timely message of hope.

A Pastor’s Guide to Conducting a Funeral: Things Every Pastor Needs to Know, But May Have Been Afraid to Ask gives pastors, chaplains, and other caregivers clear and concise guidance for responding to the profound needs of people facing the deaths of loved ones. It is a tool that every ministry student and pastor can benefit from. Dr. Gregory F. Jackson, senior pastor of the First Southern Baptist Church in Camden, Ohio, has shared over two hundred funerals with the people of his rural community during the past seventeen years. These experiences shape the book’s research and guide its practical and timely advice. Young pastors may wonder, “What should I say and do at the funeral home or at the grave? What will help families face their losses with faith and trust in God?” Older pastors might ask, “How can I refresh my ministry at the time of death?” No matter what stage of ministry you find yourself in, this book can be your companion. It can help you when you are uncertain about the best approach to a family’s grief or when you need insight into to a family’s special needs. This is a book that every pastor needs to read. Each chapter includes results of surveys of pastors and funeral directors and ends with a short list of insights pastors need to know to serve more compassionately and effectively. As an added bonus, the book concludes with “A Baker’s Dozen of Funeral Director Nuggets,” sharing the most important tips funeral directors wished pastors knew about how to lead thoughtful funeral services with dignity. My friend Greg Jackson has given every pastor not only a guide for conducting funerals, but a gift! His personal and practical insights will assist us in ministering to the hurting. THIS is a winner! Dr. Ernest L. Easley, Senior Pastor Roswell Street Baptist Church Marietta, Georgia Conducting A Funeral is a must read for every pastor. Pastor Greg Jackson offers so many helpful tips on how a pastor can effectively and intentionally minister to families who are dealing with death. I believe you will also find, as I did, the chapter on the importance of the pastor’s relationship with a funeral director to be especially helpful. As important as this moment of ministry is in the lives of those trying to make sense of the painful reality of death, it is vital that every pastor be prepared. This book is very well written and will assist both the novice as well as the experienced pastor in maximizing their effectiveness in ministry. I recommend you read it. Dr. Michael Landry , Senior Pastor, Sarasota Baptist Church Thank you Greg!!! Your honesty, compassion, and obvious wisdom as a Senior Pastor at the same church for an extended number of years comes through on every page! Funerals and death are always a challenge, even for the most seasoned pastor. Thus, I whole-heartedly recommend this book for any person in ministry, especially if you are just starting out! Dr. David Wheeler, Associate Director of Ministry Training Center, Professor of Evangelism Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary

A veteran pastor answers the questions that today's pastors are asking In 40 Questions about Pastoral Ministry, veteran pastor Phil Newton provides trustworthy answers to 40 of the most common and pressing questions relating to the life and work of the pastor. Covering five major categories--such as development, practices, and preaching--Newton equips pastors to successfully handle everyday duties and challenges, including: • Remaining spiritually healthy • Strengthening your marriage • Dealing with discouragement • Avoiding pitfalls • Leading elders' meetings • Mentoring future leaders • Preaching through books of the Bible • Conducting marriages and funerals • Practicing church discipline • Leading change and revitalization, and much more Basing his answers on Scripture, theological reflection, and personal experience, Newton serves as a mentor and guide for pastors at every stage of ministry. The questions and answers are self-contained, and topics of interest can be easily located. Pastors will want to consult this volume often for authoritative advice on all aspects of pastoral ministry.

This comprehensive textbook on pastoral ministry for pastors, church leaders, and students articulates a biblical model for shepherding God's people. Written by a leading psychologist and seminary professor who has served as a pastor for more than two decades, the book covers twelve major areas of pastoral ministry, highlights the essential work of the Holy Spirit, and focuses on the personal and family life of the pastor. It includes cross-cultural perspectives of special interest in our diverse world and a foreword by John Ortberg.

Every pastor struggles with demands for his time, and how to determine priorities in ministry. Some choose to respond to the most urgent needs, while others seek a more balanced and intentional approach. But what determines these priorities? Where should a busy pastor look for wisdom in making decisions? In the Pastor’s Ministry, pastor and author Brian Croft looks to the Scriptures to determine the top ten priorities for a faithful pastoral ministry. These biblically rooted responsibilities help pastors determine how to spend their time and with greater discernment respond to the demands of the church. Each of these priorities is rooted in a direct command of God’s Word, including: Guarding the Truth Preaching and Teaching the Word Praying for the Flock Setting an Example Visiting the Sick Comforting the Grieving Caring for Widows Confronting Sin Encouraging the Faint-Hearted Identifying and Training Other Leaders To be successful and faithful in pastoral ministry, every pastor needs to understand these core callings and make them part of his regular practice. These ten responsibilities guide how a pastor schedules his time, helping him to lay the foundation for a biblically faithful ministry in his church.

The Practical Shepherding Complete Set provides pastors and ministry leaders everything they need to know about practically and effectively leading their flock. The Practical Shepherding Complete Set includes everything you need to be equipped to lead and serve in all aspects of your ministry. It contains: Prepare Them to Shepherd Visit the Sick Conduct Gospel-Centered Funerals Comfort the Grieving Gather God's People Pray for the Flock Oversee God's People. These seven volumes will give you clear and practical direction to lead and serve those you are ministering to. Each volume will provide easy-to-follow steps to help you better serve your flock in the different aspects of ministry.

An affordable collection of simple sermons to help busy pastors prepare biblical messages for funerals.

The bestselling author of Christ-Centered Preaching provides a useful and accessible resource that traces the history of Christian worship and calls contemporary congregations to gospel faithfulness.