Brian Croft - The Pastors Ministry: Biblical Priorities for Faithful Shepherds

John Newton, famous for writing Amazing Grace, once remarked that none but He who made the world can make a minister of the gospel. Indeed, faithful pastoral ministry is one of the most urgent needs of the church. Brian Croft is a careful guide to faithful biblical ministry; a thoughtful, theologically engaged practitioner; and a source of sound wisdom on matters of ministry.

Dr. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Brian Croft gives advice on shepherding that is biblical, illuminated by the wisdom of godly pastors of the past, and eminently practical. Here is a system for praying for every member of the church, suggestions on how to encourage widows, encouragement to faithfully uphold the doctrines of Holy Scripture, and more all in one book! I highly commend it to both seminary students and seasoned pastors.

Dr. Joel R. Beeke, president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan

What a helpful book! Ten clear pastoral priorities, each one biblically grounded and practically expounded. This book will be a huge blessing to many shepherds and even more sheep. I wish it had been around when I was starting out in ministry twenty years ago.

David Murray, professor of practical theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and author of How Sermons Work

The key to a successful pastoral ministry is not how gifted a man is but how he sets his priorities and keeps to them, despite pressures all around. And the best priorities are those that follow biblical rather than pragmatic demands. Here Brian Croft goes to the Scriptures and identifies the God-given priorities that will give any pastor ballast to keep him stable on the long and narrow stretch for many years.

Conrad Mbewe, pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia

I highly recommend the how-to nature and tone of The Pastors Ministry to steward the office of pastor well. God has instructed us how we are to live and lead as shepherds, and we would do well to heed Brian Crofts wisdom in implementing these truths. I pray that God will use this book to encourage and disciple a new generation of godly shepherds.

Daniel Montgomery, lead pastor and founder of Sojourn Community Church, Louisville, Kentucky, and author of Faithmapping and Proof

With a pastors heart, Brian Croft succinctly summarizes the work of pastoral ministry, offering wise counsel for both the aspiring and the practicing pastor. Few authors speak with such clear, practical advice about the daily workings of pastoral ministry. Because he is a pastor himself, Brian gets the mechanics of ministry and offers helpful insights for maintaining a healthy ministry. Brians advice about scheduling prayer is in itself worth the price of the book.

Dr. Greg Cochran, associate professor and director of the applied theology program at California Baptist University

My friend Brian Croft shares here the very principles and practices of pastoral ministry that are so often neglected and quickly forgotten. Whether you need instruction or correction, learning or reminding, Brians gift for simple and clear communication of plain pastoral realities will clear your head, warm your heart, and strengthen your hands.

Jeremy Walker, copastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church in Crawley, England, and author of A Portrait of Paul

Whenever pastors approach me with questions about pastoral ministry, I refer them to Brian Crofts materials. Instead of combing through reams of helpful information on his website, the reader is offered a onestop shop resource in The Pastors Ministry. Croft offers scripturally rich, gospel-saturated, practical shepherding advice for the minister of congregations of any size. This wont be a book you file away on the shelf, but one you will reference throughout your ministry.

Robby Gallaty III, PhD, senior pastor of Brainerd Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and author of Growing Up

Brian Croft is a wise pastor whose writings have significantly shaped my own understanding of pastoral ministry. Reading The Pastors Ministry has been encouraging, convicting, challenging, and refreshing. As an elder, I heartily commend this book to my fellow pastors, whether you are just starting out in gospel ministry or are a seasoned shepherd of Gods flock. As a seminary professor, I recommend it to every student who aspires to be an overseer (1 Timothy 3:1).

Dr. Nathan A. Finn, elder at First Baptist Church of Durham, North Carolina, and associate professor of historical theology and Baptist studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

ZONDERVAN

The Pastors Ministry

Copyright 2015 by Brian Croft

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

ePub Edition March 2015: ISBN 978-0-310-51660-6

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Cover design: Christopher Tobias/tobiasdesign.com

Interior design: Kait Lamphere

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To Mark Dever and in memory of Jackson Boyett the two men who most deeply shaped my understanding of pastoral ministry; I owe a great debt to you both.

Contents

by H. B. Charles Jr.

Have you heard the old story about the reluctant Civil War soldier? He couldnt decide which side to fight for. So he went into battle wearing the dark blue pants of the Union army and the gray coat of the Confederates. Of course, when the confused young man showed up for battle, shots came at him from both directions.

Unfortunately, this is the reality many of us face as Christian pastors. We suffer from an identity crisis. Yes, we are called pastors, but what does that really mean? Without a doubt, the word of God gives a clear explanation of a pastors call and work. And throughout church history, the biblical role and responsibilities of a pastor have been clear. We are to be shepherds who lead and feed our flocks to spiritual maturity and fruitfulness in Christ. Christian pastors are to lead the congregation to be faithful in doctrine, holy in lifestyle, and united in fellowship. Our goal is Christ-centered, Scripture-based, gospel-driven congregations where the glory of God is put on display before the watching world.

But many contemporary pastors have lost sight of what we are called by God to be and do. We are soldiers who do not know which side we are fighting for.

Many pastors base their ministry on business models. These models have led many pastors and churches to focus on pleasing customers and attracting prospects. The goal is church growth. It is a sad indictment that for many pastors the term