Practical Wisdom for Pastors: Words of Encouragement and Counsel for a Lifetime of Ministry
Overview
From his 44 years in the ministry, a veteran pastor has culled a wealth of practical insights on the hazards, blessings and everyday aspects of church life into a user-friendly source of help and encouragement for fellow shepherds.
As a pastor your job is filled with blessings and satisfaction, as well as unique challenges and pitfalls. Here a ministry veteran covers virtually all of those areas with a wealth of practical insight culled from 44 years in the pastorate. Blending his deep love of the Word and commitment to biblical ministry, Curtis Thomas offers a rich source of help and encouragement that will enthuse and benefit you whether you've pastored for five years or 50.
The ten major sections include: personal life, family life, study habits, messages, church life, counseling, weddings/divorces/funerals, relationships with others, dangers, and miscellaneous issues.
Top Highlights
“A simple rule is: Clothes should be clean and neat, not flashy but enhancing, and should neither take attention away from nor draw attention to the pastor. Our words and walk are more important issues than our dress.” (Page 31)
“As the shepherd of the flock, the pastor must feed the congregation from the Word of God, and in order to do that he must know God’s Word. But shepherding is not only feeding—it is also caring, protecting, bandaging, loving, supporting, encouraging, rebuking. Not all of this can be done from the pulpit or the study. Much of it must be done on a personal basis, one-on-one.” (Page 48)
“The key is to know both our passage and our people. Both are indispensable if we hope to address the congregation’s needs.” (Page 49)
“Real leadership involves working to be out ahead of the congregation in knowledge, wisdom, plans, courage, and faith” (Page 95)
“The point is, at times we are going to be wrong, and we need to be humble enough to admit it, make the correction, and move on.” (Page 27)
I wish this book had been available when I began in ministry more than 35 years ago. As I read, I found my own enthusiasm for pastoral ministry invigorated, and even as a veteran pastor, I found much I could benefit from.
The beginning workman in God’s vineyard could hardly find a more practical, helpful, and instructive work than this book. With sound judgment, good taste, and a mature knowledge of the pitfalls challenging every pastor, Curtis Thomas brings together the real hands-on, how-to-do-it advice that can make the road a lot smoother.
—D. James Kennedy
Thomas has done a great service for all pastors, young or old.
—Adrian Rogers
A great gift that will both guide and encourage ministers in this highest of all callings.
—R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
Curtis C. Thomas served as pastor of several Baptist churches in the central Arkansas area before recently retiring after 44 years in the ministry. Most recently, he served as Executive Pastor of The Bible Church in Little Rock for 14 years. He has co-authored two books, Romans: An Interpretive Outline and The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended, Documented.
Reviews
2 ratings
Dr. Marco V. Chavarría Quirós
4/4/2018
Grover Cleveland Edwards
8/19/2013
