Book Review Pastoring the Pastor

by Dave Jenkins on September 24, 2012

Ministry is hard but necessary work. The Christian lives with the daily tension of being in the world while not being of the world as they are adopted by a King in Jesus whose kingdom is never ending. To help equip the saints for the work of ministry, Pastors are charged with feeding the flock through the preaching of the Word, giving pastoral care and overseeing the flock of God. Young Pastors especially need guidance and mentors to help navigate the many difficult situations that ministry brings not to mention guidance on how to navigate their own lives.

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One of the more encouraging themes I’ve noticed in recent books coming out is to help the Pastor with his own spiritual growth. This theme continues in the helpful new book Pastoring the Pastor Emails of a Journey through Ministry by Tim Cooper and Kelvin Gardiner. This book chronicles the journey of Daniel Donford into ministry and his ministry as a Pastor. Daniel as a new pastor is excited filled with bright dreams and a big future for his new church. Discouragement lies just around the corner as opposition and obstacles lay ahead of him threatening to end his journey into pastoral ministry before it has even begun. Thankfully Dan has his Uncle Eldon: a wise, experienced firm, but understanding Pastor. Eldon as an experienced pastor helps Dan to navigate through his trials and disasters. The wisdom Eldon offers through a series of emails help Dan to see himself as he really is, in need of the mercy of God and helps Dan transform into a mature, selfless, loving pastor God wants him to be.

Pastoring the Pastor is a book I whole heartedly recommend. This heart-warming and at times heart-wrenching story of the ups and downs of ministry gives not only a realistic but also all kinds of practical and godly wisdom that will help pastors (and those they shepherd) toward understanding and an appreciation of what really matters as we serve Christ and His people. This would be a good book for the Bible College, or seminary student to read who is thinking and praying hard about entering pastoral ministry as this book will help these students to have realistic expectations about pastoral ministry. This book will help young Pastors also who are facing the same struggles Daniel is facing but with wisdom. Either way this book will help seminary students and young Pastors to begin to learn how to deal with opposition and obstacles in life and ministry.

Title: Pastoring the Pastor: Emails of a Journey Through Ministry

Author: Tim Cooper and Kelvin Gardiner

Publisher: Christian Focus (2012)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Christian Focus book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”