Being a Pastor: A conversation with Andrew Fuller

In the 21st century, evangelical ministry is in crisis and a renewal is desperately needed. Part of the key to that is reflection on the way that pastoral ministry has been conceived and actually done in the past. And here Andrew Fuller in his ordination sermons can be an enormous help, for they lay out a vision of ministry that we certainly need today and is indeed applicable to our situation.

Publisher: Evangelical Press
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781783972746

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Michael Haykin is well-known for his excellent historical work and the practical application of that to our own time. Brian Croft is eminently qualified to contribute, having written extensively on pastoral issues, most recently in The Pastor s Soul, also published by EP Books.

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In a time of instant access and information overload, the modern pastor does well to pause regularly and allow pastors from yesteryear to remind them of what is timeless and thus essential in pastoral ministry. In this treatise, the authors have thoughtfully and helpfully culled through the sermons of history to isolate the type of sermons that are most directly addressed to pastors - ordination sermons. With a careful balance between historical precision and pastoral warmth, “Being a Pastor” gleans from these sermons (particularly those of Andrew Fuller) and develops a practical guidebook for pastors that is packed with the insights and benefits of a classic like Baxter’s “Reformed Pastor” but in language that is far more accessible. As a young pastor, I found this book challenging, provoking, convicting, and humbling, and if you are a pastor I recommend that you read it immediately. If you are not a pastor, I recommend that you buy a copy and give it to your pastor so that you, he, and the rest of your church might be helped by it. Nathan Allen