Resources on Book Reviews
I love how-to books that offer practical advice on church leadership. Most pastors benefit from step-by-step instruction about organizational management, church finances, crisis response, leadership recruitment and training, and other areas of church administration. Comparatively few seminary students come from backgrounds where they have received extensive training in these areas – and when they arrive at their first church, they need guidance. Right out of the starting gate, ministries can be crippled when godly men are ill-equipped to tend to the quotidian details and processes essential to effective leadership. The pastor who minimizes the importance of practical know-how is foolish. So you may be surprised that I am enthusiastic about Paul Tripp’s Lead, a leadership book that has little or nothing to…
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Reformed Theological Seminary is blessed to have campus presidents who are gifted theologians, skilled pastors, and accessible communicators – which is why I was eager to purchase Persistent Prayer by Guy Richard, president of Reformed Theological Seminary, Atlanta. God’s people are always in need of teaching on the nature of prayer and exhortations to its faithful practice. My goal as a pastor is for my church family to pursue lives of prayer: pouring out their hearts to the Lord in their private devotions, family worship, and the prayer meetings of the church. Persistent Prayer will prove a valuable tool in reaching that goal. Of all the helpful reminders I found in this book, perhaps this was most needed: “Prayer…
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When Lynne and I moved to Mississippi, we wanted to find a church home. We had two requirements: a church with both Sunday morning and evening worship services (we love the Lord’s Day!) and a pastor committed to expository preaching. What a blessing to find both at First Pres Jackson with David Strain’s preaching! David’s Expository Preaching is a gem – every Christian should read it. The Bible is indeed God’s word – and faithful preachers bring the words from God’s heart to the hearts of his dearly beloved people. Had David done no more than provide us with eleven arguments in favor of expository preaching, he would have served the church well. But his practical advice on getting…
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Covenantal Baptism is a concise and thorough explanation of the doctrine of infant – indeed, all covenant children’s – baptism. It is biblical in content, irenic in tone, and pastoral in application. I especially appreciate Jason Helopoulos‘s exposition of the vows PCA parents and congregations take – a feature that makes the book helpful in inquirers’ and new members’ classes. Many thanks to P&R Publishing for making this fine book available.
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Good, Good Father: Knowing God as He Wants to Be Known explores a grand theme: abiding in God’s fatherly care through Jesus our Lord. In twenty-six short meditations, readers are invited to experience the joy of knowing the God who lavishes his love on his adopted children. Identifying the promises of our heavenly Father and learning to claim them is the privilege Charley Chase wants every reader to enjoy. His scripture expositions are clear, his illustrations sparkle, and his plentiful quotations draw on the treasures of Reformed writers who have thought deeply about God’s fatherly love and care for his dear children
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Joel R. Beeke and Nick Thompson, Pastors and their Critics: A Guide to Coping with Criticism in the Ministry. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2020. $10.00, paper. Criticism can drive men from the ministry. For some it comes early in their careers, unexpected and fierce, like a flash flood. Unable to receive criticism, the pastor resigns or moves to another field believing, wrongly, that his initial experience was unique. What went wrong? Part of the problem can be unrealistic expectations. While preparing for ministry, a young man envisions his future congregation as a group of believers eager to learn from him and follow his leadership. Early on, criticism came and expectations were shattered, leaving him hurt and disillusioned. Isolation can exacerbate the…
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