Preparing For Ministry

Encouragement for students to reflect on the nature and task of ministry in the 21st century and to seek education to equip them for ministry.

Most seminaries now require their students to get real world training by way of supervised theological field education. This volume presents the wide array of issues that must be understood in order to integrate theological education and practical ministry, including the importance of theological field education, its purpose and challenges, the need for flexibility in meeting different students' needs, and the resources available to create a meaningful and educational experience.

'Preparation For Ministry' deals with important issues relating to a call to the Christian ministry, theological training, and entry into pastoral work. The author has written it out of his own rich experience as a student, a pastor, and a seminary teacher. Those contemplating entry into the Christian ministry will benefit greatly from his practical advice on such subjects as coming to faith, the call to the ministry, pre-theological study, and choosing a theological college or seminary. Those already in theological training or who have recently entered into ministry will also find much to help them within these pages on such topics as the theological course, early ministry, and staying fresh. A brief bibliography is provided, and the book also contains useful appendices, including: a guide to preparatory reading a short guide to sermon preparation C. H. Spurgeon's The Minister's Self-Watch B. B. Warfield's The Religious Life of Theological Students

In what I write I wanted to try to share with the readers of my little book some of the events / happenings that had an impact on my life and contributed to my becoming the person that I am today. Besides that, in those early years there were a number of people who featured very strongly in my life. They were all wonderful people and I am keen that their lives are not forgotten. All our lives have ups and downs, and all our lives have those moments which become influential, even formative, on us as individuals. Moreover, most of us are able to reel off a whole host of amusing anecdotes. I include a few of mine here. I hope that you enjoy what you read

An Earnest Ministry : The Want of the Times by John Angell James, first published in 1848, is a rare manuscript, the original residing in one of the great libraries of the world. This book is a reproduction of that original, which has been scanned and cleaned by state-of-the-art publishing tools for better readability and enhanced appreciation. Restoration Editors' mission is to bring long out of print manuscripts back to life. Some smudges, annotations or unclear text may still exist, due to permanent damage to the original work. We believe the literary significance of the text justifies offering this reproduction, allowing a new generation to appreciate it.

Prepare to Live in Power! Prepare to Walk in Obedience! Prepare to Impact the Lives of others! Prepare to please God! Prepare Your HEART for Ministry! There are many plans for prosperity and many strategies to be blessed. But this book is God's plan for your ministry Preparation! God wants to use you and it is time for you to get ready! Prepare your mind. Prepare your spirit! Prepare your HEART for Ministry!

Pastors often find themselves struggling to survive in the wilderness of the contemporary church scene. How do they remain faithful in light of the marginalization of organized religion, denominational strife, rapid demographic change, falling numbers and a general malaise among church members? Many pastors feel helpless, others hopeless. Sociologists and pollsters diagnose the problem but can't seem to come up with a solution. Is there hope? Author and pastor David Rohrer believes there is. John the Baptist also lived in the wilderness, yet crowds journeyed there to hear him. Why? Because John "affirmed what people already knew: that they were in desperate need of something more than the mundane practices of a religion that had been cut off from its source of life." John called people to remember their covenant relationship with God, which was established in the wilderness, and to let God guide them once again across the Jordan and into the Promised Land. Pastors, says Rohrer, "don't primarily exist to build and maintain the institution of the church. We exist to do a particular work through the church. In short, we don't simply have an institution to create, refine or maintain; we have a gospel to preach." John's prophetic voice prepared hearts to be receptive to Christ's work among them, to be transformed by the power of God. Herein lies hope! Using illustrations from everyday church life and decades of ministry experience, Rohrer carefully crafts a lively and realistic pastoral theology for ministry in the sacred wilderness. If you are a new pastor you have a sure guide here. If you are a veteran preacher you'll find just the refresher course you need to invigorate your ministry.

The ministry of pastors is not simply a job; it’s a vocation and a lifestyle. A pastor’s responsibilities are unique, demanding that he not only nurture his own spiritual life but also the lives of those in his care. What a challenge this can be! Derek Prime and Alistair Begg provide practical advice for both the spiritual and practical aspects of pastoral ministry. They delve deep into topics such as prayer, devotional habits, preaching, studying, and specific ministry duties. The result is an essential tool for those in pastoral ministry.