Character Matters, Shepherding in the Fruit of the Spirit

Pastor, it's time to turn down the noise and focus on what matters. Today's pastoral world is packed with books, conferences, and seminars teaching you different techniques for being an all-star pastor, growing your church quickly, and changing the world. But the key to true success is much harder and much simpler. Pastors are called to be faithful, to have exemplary character, and to love Jesus. Without faithfulness, their ministry ends up harming others rather than helping them. Churches need pastors with sound doctrine and a sound life. Character Matters was written to help you slow down, cut through the noise and distractions, and focus on what matters—the fruit of the Spirit. Each chapter is a guided, biblical meditation on one aspect of each piece of the fruit of the Spirit. As you reflect and focus on the simple things that matter, you'll see your heart change and your ministry follow, slowly, surely, and by the power of the Spirit.

Publisher: Moody
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9780802419743

______________

Aaron Menikoff is the Senior Pastor of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. Before entering pastoral ministry, he served as a legislative assistant for the late United States Senator Mark O. Hatfield. He earned an M.Div. and a Ph.D. at Southern Seminary where he studied Christian social engagement during the Second Great Awakening. He is the author of Politics and Piety: Baptist Social Reform in America, 1770-1860 (Pickwick, 2014). Aaron has a heart for encouraging pastors. He organizes a yearly conference called Feed My Sheep, leads a monthly pastors fellowship in his area, and is Visiting Lecturer in Church History at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta. He is married to Deana and is the father of Rachel, Jonah, Natalie, and Tori.

______________

‘These meditations on the Pauline fruit of the Spirit by a seasoned pastor have their matrix in the actual practice of pastoral ministry and are thus felicitous in achieving the goal of this book: namely, the vital reminder that character is absolutely central to the task and calling of the pastorate. Earlier generations knew this well. My favorite pastor from the past, the eighteenth-century Englishman Andrew Fuller, once commented that behind eminent usefulness in the kingdom of God lies eminent spirituality. Menikoff's study is a much-needed reminder of this truth. Yes, ours is a very different day from that of Andrew Fuller, but the truth is the same.’ Michael A. G. Haykin, Chair and Professor of Church History, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary