Resources on Pastoral Ministry
Thomas Murphy’s addresses presbyters serving in the church’s higher courts. Nevertheless, his advice is useful to all Christians who find themselves engaged in public controversy: “There are some persons who seem to lose their Christian spirit and temper as soon as they engage in public discussions. They enter upon them in a wrangling and angry manner, and at once render the exercise of calm, Christian wisdom impossible. Such a spirit is utterly inconsistent with the character which should be found Christ’s servants. . . . Each one, as he has opportunity should strive to banish angry strifes. . . . It is like men to resent opposition, but it is like Christ to bear it.”” – Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology:…
Read MoreWork done uniformly well and on time should be the goal of every pastor. W.G.T. Shedd advises: The religious character of the clergyman is strengthened as he “performs every clerical duty, be it in active or contemplative life, with punctuality, uniformity, and thoroughness. . . . The habit of doing work uniformly well and uniformly in time, is one of the best kinds of discipline . . . . A thorough an punctual performance of pastoral duties, is a direct means of grace.” – William G.T. Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology. 11th ed. (Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1902), 338-339, 340.
Read MoreRead with Understanding!
To read is important; to read with understanding much more so. Charles Bridges (1794-1869) cautions: “No man can read everything; nor would our real store be increased by the capacity to do so. The digestive powers would be overloaded for want of time to act, and uncontrolled confusion would reign within. It is far more easy to furnish our library than our understanding.” Therefore, Bridges argues, the quality of what we read is more important than the quantity, and for reading to have it’s greatest value, it must have as its companions “reflection, conversation and composition.” – Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry (1830; Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991), 46-47.
Read MoreGenevan minister Theodore Beza (1519-1605) describes beautifully the responsibilities of the Christian pastor: “It is not only necessary that [a pastor] have a general knowledge of his flock, but he must also know and call each of his sheep by name, both in public and in their homes, both night and day. Pastors must run after lost sheep, bandaging up the one with a broken leg, strengthening the one that is sick. . . . . In sum, the pastor must consider his sheep more dear to him than his own life, following the example of the Good Shepherd.” – from Scott M. Manetsch, Calvin’s Company of Pastors: Pastoral Care and the Emerging Reformed Church, 1536-1609 (Oxford: 2013), 281.
Read MoreGenevan minister Theodore Beza (1519-1605) describes beautifully the responsibilities of the Christian pastor: “It is not only necessary that [a pastor] have a general knowledge of his flock, but he must also know and call each of his sheep by name, both in public and in their homes, both night and day. Pastors must run after lost sheep, bandaging up the one with a broken leg, strengthening the one that is sick. . . . . In sum, the pastor must consider his sheep more dear to him than his own life, following the example of the Good Shepherd.” – from Scott M. Manetsch, Calvin’s Company of Pastors: Pastoral Care and the Emerging Reformed Church, 1536-1609 (Oxford: 2013), 281.
Read MoreW.G.T. Shedd encourages pastors to promote serious reading in their congregations: “The studious, thoughtful Christian is always more unworldly and sincere, than the Christian who reads but little and thinks still less. The pastor can employ no means more certain to sanctify his flock, than reading and reflection, upon their part. Just in proportion as he is able to induce the habit of studying the Scriptures, and of perusing doctrinal and religious books, will he spiritualize the church to which he ministers.” – William G.T. Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology. 11th ed. (Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1902), 326.
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