Bible College and seminary is a time where students are challenged in every aspect of life. For many students, these challenges are more severe than others. Other students find seminary to be extremely easy. I was one of those students who found Bible college and seminary to be mostly easy (except studying the Hebrew language which was very difficult for me). Here at Servants of Grace we’ve written a lot on the topic of Bible college and seminary because most of our writers have gone to seminary, including some of them even teaching at seminaries. This is why when I read The Secret Life of a Pastor and other intimate letters on ministry) I was greatly helped. This book reminded me of another book Dear Timothy Letters on Pastoral Ministry Edited by Dr. Tom Ascol in that seeks to help future pastors understand pastoral ministry and encourage those in pastoral ministry.
This book is broken down into twenty chapters. It covers topics such as your seminary experience, original language, pastoral counseling, home life, equipping the saints, family, preaching, pastoral prayer, pastoral leadership, leading through change, preaching the gospel, and rest. The only part of this book I disagreed with as a Baptist is the chapter on infant baptism. Outside of this chapter the entire book is very helpful.
What stood out to me about this book was the tone of the book. As the subtitle suggests these are intimate letters meant to encourage and equip readers on the nuts and bolts of ministry. Books like this are needed for those preparing for pastoral ministry to learn what ministry life is really like. This is also why I encourage future pastors to get to know current pastors and pick their brain about ministry and family life as a pastor. In addition to this, watch as your pastor ministers from inside and outside the pulpit and learn from his example.
The Secret Life of a Pastor is a book I highly recommend if the Lord is calling you into vocational pastoral ministry. This book will help you to understand what it’s like Monday through Saturday in ministry and what is expected of you on Sunday. This book will help aspiring pastors and ministry leaders who desire to faithfully serve the Lord, His church, and His people for His glory.
I received this book for free from Christian Focus for this review. 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.”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
