Derek J. Prime - On Being a Pastor

2004 by
DEREK PRIME AND ALISTAIR BEGG

Revised and Expanded Edition of
Pastors and Teachers 1989

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version . NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version.

Editor: Cheryl Dunlop
Interior Design: Ragont Design
Cover Design: Erik M. Peterson

Cover Photos: field copyright Enrico Fianchini/iStockphoto. All rights reserved Open Bible copyright Enrico isishblue/iStockphoto. All rights reserved

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Prime, Derek

On being a pastor : understanding our calling and work / Derek Prime and
Alistair Begg.

p. cm.

ISBN 13: 978-0-8024-3122-6

1. Pastoral theology. I. Begg, Alistair. II. Title.

BV4011.3.P75 2004

253'.2dc22

2004000012

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To the rising generation of pastors
and teachers and those who through
the grace of God will be called
to follow in their footsteps.

On Being a Pastor is a personal, practical, God-centered book that every minister should read. It was written by men I trust to help me fulfill the calling I love.

PHILIP GRAHAM RYKEN, Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This may not yet be the last work on ministry, but it is certainly one of the sanest, most thoughtful, practical, intelligent, biblical and challenging books any pastor could read. Alistair Begg is widely-admired for his powerful and far-reaching ministry, and Derek Prime is a model every minister wants to emulate. Here is the wisdom of two men, markedly different in age, temperament, gifts, and stylebut one in affection, esteem and heart-passion. On Being a Pastor is a must read. If you are a pastor buy a copy and read it. If not, buy two copies, one for a pastor you know and the other to read yourself. Youll be amazed and humbled by what you learn.

SINCLAIR B. FERGUSON, Westminster Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas

Being a pastor is a high calling, which requires devotion, skillfulness, and unique spiritual preparation. Derek Prime and Alistair Begg provide clarity for the call, wisdom for the journey, and experience for the task. This book is like a conversation with good friends providing no nonsense counsel for the ministry challenges of the 21st century.

JACK GRAHAM, Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas

On Being a Pastor is an outstanding book, which should be on every pastors shelf. I have read and consulted the previous version from the pen of Derek Prime for many years. Now it has been revised and enriched with the cooperation of Alistair Begg, and the result is splendid!

ERIC ALEXANDER, Retired Pastor, St. Georges-Tron Parish Church, Scotland

The crisis of identity many pastors and teachers experience; Five basic convictions.

T he Christian pastor holds the greatest office of human responsibility in all creation. He is called to preach the Word, to teach the truth to Gods people, to lead Gods people in worship, to tend the flock as a caring shepherd, and to mobilize the church for Christian witness and service. The pastors role also includes an entire complex of administrative and leadership tasks. Souls are entrusted to his care, the truth is entrusted to his stewardship, and eternal realities hang in the balance. Who can fulfill this job description?

Of course, the answer is that no man can fulfill this calling. The Christian pastor must continually acknowledge his absolute dependence upon the grace and mercy of God. As the apostle Paul instructs us, we are but earthen vessels employed for Gods glory. On his own, no man is up to this task.

Derek Prime and Alistair Begg are two seasoned pastors armed with biblical truth, theological conviction, and practical insight. In On Being a Pastor, these faithful ministers share their hard-earned wisdom, combining personal testimony with solid theologically grounded reflections. This is a book every pastor should read.

Reading this fascinating book is like sitting down with two good mature and proven pastors who speak to their fellow pastors as warm friends. These men know what the pastorate is all about. They are preachers of renown and international reputation. Yet, they welcome us into their conversation as encouraging friends, ready to speak honestly about the pastors calling and responsibility. They do not dodge the hard issues, and their honesty is both bracing and encouraging.

This book belongs in the hands of every pastor and theological student preparing for the ministry. There is a wealth of wisdom in these pages, and a real education between these two covers. This book will call every pastor to a higher standard of serviceand an even greater joy in this great calling.

R. Albert Mohler Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

W e need to begin with a word of explanation. This book was originally written by Derek when he had been a pastor for thirty years and was about to conclude his ministry at Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh. In Gods goodness that original edition of 1989 was reprinted and widely used. In contemplating the suggestion that it should be reissued, two convictions emerged. First, it was felt that it would benefit from some revision by Derek, because while biblical principles remain constant, the situations to which they have to be applied change; and, second, since the book has been read and used in the USA, that it would benefit from the input of an American churchs pastorthat of Alistair. It has been a great pleasure to work together again, as Alistair began his ministry as Dereks assistant in Edinburgh. Throughout the book therefore we write as