Gospel-Driven Ministry: An Introduction to the Calling and Work of a Pastor

Description

From the beginning of his ministry, Jesus called and equipped individuals who would serve his community of followers. These "shepherds" are called to preach, pray, and care for the needs of God's people. But what does it mean to be a pastor And what is the nature of this ministry, according to the Bible In Gospel-Driven Ministry, Jared Wilson begins by looking at the qualifications for the pastorate, addressing the notion of a call to ministry and how an individual--and a church community--can best identify the marks of maturity and affirm a call. In each chapter, Wilson looks at one of the core practices of pastoral ministry, including: Preaching Sermons Developing a Vibrant Prayer Life Caring and Counseling Pastoring Married and Single Gospel-Centered Leadership Fighting Sin and Spiritual Warfare Resolving Conflict Passing on the Ministry to Others In addition, Wilson provides practical resources including theological insights on baptism and the Lord's Supper, guidance for wedding and funeral sermons, outlines for leading elder and deacon meetings, tips for interviewing new pastors, questions to ask at ordination, and advice on knowing when and how to leave a pastor role. This is a comprehensive, practical guide to pastoral ministry that prepares new pastors and equips those currently serving for long-term, healthy ministry.

Jared C. Wilson is the director of content strategy at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, and managing editor of the seminary's website for gospel-centered resources, For the Church. He is a popular author and conference speaker, and also blogs regularly at the Gospel Coalition. His books include Your Jesus Is Too Safe, Gospel Wakefulness, The Story of Everything, Unparalleled, and The Imperfect Disciple.

'I'd recommend this book to any pastor, especially those just starting in their ministry, and any others desiring to understand what faithful leadership in God's church looks like. Saturated in the gospel-depth that has characterized his other books, Jared Wilson shows us that a church leader is not just a defender of truth but a servant of people. I was particularly moved by Jared's challenge that we represent the love of God to people who walk through our doors. What an incredible and weighty privilege. May God use this book to raise up a generation of faithful servant leaders!' * J. D. Greear, pastor, the Summit Church, president, Southern Baptist Convention * 'There are certain books that pastors should read once a year to regain their gospel sanity, clarity of calling, passion for the Savior, love for their people, and a renewed sense of what their daily work is. Gospel-Driven Ministry is one of those books. It holds the gospel forward not just as preachers' core message but also as the model and motivation for who pastors should be and what they are called to do. Pastors, buy this book and put it in your yearly reading rotation.' * Paul Tripp, pastor, speaker, author * 'Whether you are new pastor or a seasoned veteran of many years, Gospel-Driven Ministry will educate, instruct, and encourage you in your service to the Lord and his people. Combining personal experience, theological understanding, and a deep love for Christ's church, Jared Wilson offers timely wisdom for those called, in these challenging times, to shepherd the flock of God.' * Brian Brodersen, pastor, Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa, California * 'Current and future pastors--and those who love them--need to read this book. Jared Wilson opens up the pages of Scripture and his heart as well to give us the inside scoop on pastoral work and identity. Clearly he has a heart for ministry. With a quarter century of pastoral experience under his belt, he has much to share. Writing in a warm and personal style, Wilson explores most every aspect of ministry you can think of. Replete with scriptural references and personal examples, this is a volume of practical wisdom by which every pastor can chart a voyage through the tempestuous seas of contemporary ministry with confidence. Christ-centered and gospel-focused, this book is devoid of the platitudes and easy answers found in similar pastoral guides. Jared Wilson bares his soul in this book to share not only his profound insights into shepherding but also his anxieties, fears, and failures. In other words, he points not to himself but to Jesus, who is the great shepherd of the sheep and--thank God--of every pastor as well.' * Harold L. Senkbeil, executive director emeritus, DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel, author of The Care of Souls * 'Jared Wilson's new book, Gospel-Driven Ministry, represents my friend's steadfast commitment to marinate in the riches of God's grace, to steward both the wounds and joys of pastoral life, and to keep the gospel central to leaders and ministries. Jared writes with a depth beyond his years, wisdom gained after seminary, and a heart captured by the glory and grace of Jesus. Please give this book to neophytes and seasoned veterans in the ministry of the gospel.' * Scotty Smith, pastor emeritus, Christ Community Church, Franklin, Tennessee, teacher in residence, West End Community Church, Nashville, Tennessee * 'Gospel-Driven Ministry is an honest, practical, instructive, and comprehensive work on pastoring that I wish would have been available to me twenty-five years ago. Jared writes from a rich and robust experience in ministry, sharing his pastoral highs with humility and his pastoral lows with vulnerability. This is a refreshing contribution to those setting out on the pastoral road and for those who might be weary walking it.' * J. R. Vassar, lead pastor, Church at the Cross, Grapevine, Texas, author of Glory Hunger * 'Often in ministry things can be driven by pragmatics rather than principles. Rosters needs to be arranged, meetings attended, and sermons delivered. In the midst of the urgent, however, it is easy for the pastor to forget the very basis and purpose of their service. In Gospel-Driven Ministry Jared Wilson provides a timely and necessary reminder of the transformative power of the gospel as the cornerstone of all effective pastoral ministry. With the warmth and wisdom of a seasoned pastor, Wilson calls the reader to consider not only the shape of their ministry but more importantly their motivation for it.' * Malcolm Gill, director of postgraduate studies, lecturer in Greek, New Testament, and homiletics, Sydney Missionary and Bible College, Sydney, Australia * 'Only an experienced pastor could write this book. It handles the vicissitudes of pastoral life and ministry with compassion. You'll feel known as you read it. But it is more than that. This book is treasure from a pastor who digs deeply when shepherding individual souls. It is wisdom for leading the whole church. If you apply its guidance, your flock will not only feel known but also be well-pastored. In fact, Jared Wilson's heart for Christ's church moved me to pastor better, and his pastoral gems showed me how to do so. Most importantly, absorbing this book will yield more of Christ in you and his church.' * Jonathan Dodson, lead pastor, City Life Church, and author of Gospel-Centered Discipleship, Here in Spirit, and Our Good Crisis * 'If you know one thing about Jared, it's that he has an unwavering passion for gospel-centrality. Gospel-Driven Ministry reads like a greatest hits of Jared's wisdom and experience from years of pastoring both local congregations and local pastors. A must-have for pastors and ministry leaders who desire to keep the gospel at the core of their ministry and practice.' * Ronnie Martin, lead pastor, Substance Church, Ashland, Ohio * 'We're in a pastoral ministry crisis. Evidence abounds--from pastors who are disqualifying themselves, to those who are burning out. Not to oversimplify matters, but I wonder if one reason for this crisis is a pastoral ministry that has become unmoored from the gospel. In Gospel-Driven Ministry, Jared Wilson, with clarity and the requisite pastoral experience, seeks to bring us back to the gospel roots that drive faithful pastoral ministry. If you are considering pastoral ministry or are in the habit of training gospel ministers, pick up this book and use it as a 'gospel primer' for ministry. If you've been in ministry for some time and are doubting yourself or your ministry, struggling to press on, pick up this book as a 'gospel refresher' for ministry. A ministry rooted in the good news of all that God is for us in Christ will magnify our triune God and encourage his people.' * Juan R. Sanchez, senior pastor, High Pointe Baptist Church, Austin, Texas *