Craig Brian Larson and David L. Goetz, Pastoral Grit: The Strength to Stand and Stay. Bethany House, 1998.
Referenced in: Strengthening and Renewing the Ministry Call
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
Ministers enter ministry with sincere motivations and high hopes, but then feel overwhelmed by many of the realities. For some, it is the daily monotony that may leave little time for the preferred tasks or relationships for which they are passionate and gifted. For others, it is the devastating “baptisms with fire” that shake their confidence. These and other pressures create doubt and deplete energy, often to the point that ministers want to resign from their church or quit ministry altogether. Larson reflects a realistic but hopeful picture of congregational life and provides both the challenge and vision ministers need to persevere.
From the Publisher
Sooner or Later, Every Pastor Needs What Makes a Good Pastor Great: The Strength to Stand and to Stay.
Pastors are maturing. Deepening. They want substance for their congregations and nourishment for their own soul. THE PASTOR’S SOUL series unleashes pastors to do what really matters. To step beyond skills. To give of their unique gifts. To minister authentically and grow in the intangibles of ministry like integrity and character.
A Groundbreaking Series on the Inner Life of Pastors
In this changing culture, pastors need dedication to do what God wants them to do. They need determination to accomplish their highest priorities.
Every pastor has felt the desire to throw in the towel to resign from a church or even drop out of the ministry. The press of day-in, day-out care for people can overwhelm the most noble reasons for entering ministry. A pastor’s own brokenness, sinfulness, restlessness, and self-doubts only compound the weight. Pastoral Grit examines honestly the spiritual and practical calamities that compel pastors to give up and offers realistic insight to help pastors persevere.
Pastoral Grit is honest, courageous, insightful, a candid account of what really goes on in a small fellowship of believers. While it debunks illusions, it is not in the least cynical or pessimistic. It’s soul-strengthening encouragement to do what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15: Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm-Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know your labor is not in vain.
Dr. Vernon Grounds, Chancellor, Denver Seminary
About the Author
Craig Bryan Larson is pastor of Lakeshore Assembly Church in Chicago. He is a contributing editor of LEADERSHIP. He is author of Running the Midnight Marathon and Preaching That Connects. He makes his home with his family in Illinois. About the General Editor: DAVID GOETZ is associate editor of LEADERSHIP, a publication of Christianity Today, Inc.
David L. Goetz is editor of LEADERSHIP Resources, a division of LEADERSHIP (a publication of Christianity Today, Inc.), the most respected journal in America for pastors and church leaders.
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