Resources on Pastoral Ministry
How important is the minister’s personal holiness? Charles Bridges cautions, “A man who cannot persuade himself to be holy, will have little hope of succeeding with the consciences of others.” – Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry (1830; Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991), 157.
Read MoreHow important is the minister’s personal holiness? Charles Bridges cautions, “A man who cannot persuade himself to be holy, will have little hope of succeeding with the consciences of others.” – Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry (1830; Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991), 157.
Read MoreIn this 2009 interview, Eric Alexander reflects on his conversion to Christ, and his many years of ministry in the Church of Scotland. His commitment to pastoral ministry in the local church, expository preaching, and prayer have been an encouragement to many ministers. Many thanks to my friend David Irving for pointing me to this interview.
Read MoreIn this 2009 interview, Eric Alexander reflects on his conversion to Christ, and his many years of ministry in the Church of Scotland. His commitment to pastoral ministry in the local church, expository preaching, and prayer have been an encouragement to many ministers. Many thanks to my friend David Irving for pointing me to this interview.
Read MoreThomas 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.
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