H. B. London and Neil B. Wiseman, The Heart of a Great Pastor: How To Grow Stronger and Thrive Wherever God Has Planted You. Regal Books, 2006.
Referenced in: Strengthening and Renewing the Ministry Call
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
London and Wiseman inspire the new generation of ministers as well as experienced servants to embrace the unique opportunities and joys God gives to those who accept the pastoral call. They discuss finding mentors, nurturing a sense call, maintaining support from one’s spouse and children, strengthening spiritual life through prayer and study of the Word, cultivating holiness (i.e. “growing a great soul”), building credibility, balancing pastoral duties with entrepreneurial interests, dreaming for the future while respecting the past, loving people genuinely, and many other dimensions that help one persevere over the long haul. Helps pastors measure themselves not by congregational size and success, but by willingness to serve, even if in the most humble of circumstances. Unlike some books on this subject, they do not suggest scaling down or becoming too realistic, but encourage ministers to keep dreaming. Using Paul’s analogy of gardening (1 Cor. 3) and Jesus’ analogy of bearing fruit (Jn. 15), they challenge ministers to put down deep roots, overcome obstacles, and take risks. They remind readers that God has a remarkable record of giving extraordinary blessings to ordinary people who fulfill the “holy assignments” of doing routine things in sometimes difficult circumstances. God “stands ready to fill ordinary places with his presence” and to “transform tough ministry assignments into gratifying kingdom adventures.” They also celebrate some of the unique perks of pastoring that are often forgotten. The book can be read in one day and will refresh any discouraged minister.
From the Publisher
The Heart of a Great Pastor salutes pastors everywhere – those wanting to take a fresh look at their ministries, as well as those just starting out. As the baton is passed to the ‘new breed of pastors,’there is a great need to help them count the cost of serving Christ and equip them with the tools, wisdom and encouragement from those who have gone before them. H.B. London, Jr., and Neil B.Wiseman bring their experiences and heart to pastors for such a task. To the ‘new breed,’ they ask: Do you have a mentor? Have you examined your unique call and place in society? Do you have buy-in from your spouse and children? Do you spend as much time in the Word and study as you do in the entrepreneurial pursuits of your ministry? Do you genuinely love people? Do you really understand how invested God is in you and how important it is for you to make it? Here is help for young pastors and their mentors to stay strong personally while taking churches to the edge of creative, imaginative newness for Christ while remaining safely anchored to the abiding and adventuresome gospel.
About the Author
NEIL B. WISEMAN is Professor of Pastoral Development at Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He served as a pastor for 20 years before beginning his current ministry of training pastors for a new century.
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