Encouragement
for Today's Pastors: Help from the Puritans / Help from the Puritans
by Joel R.
Beeke and Terry D. Slachter
Reformation Heritage
Books
Grand Rapids,
Michigan ( January 25, 2013)
224 pages
"The diligent study of the
Scriptures strengthened Puritan pastors in the seventeenth century and enabled
them to keep going in ministry, even in the worst of times. God encouraged them
so they might encourage others (2 Cor. 1:4). Reading the Puritans has
encouraged us immensely. It is our conviction that the Puritans have much to
say to pastors today. Though this book is intended to strengthen the mind, it
aims primarily at ways in which the Puritans can strengthen the heart."
-
from the Introduction, page 13
On Being a
Pastor / Understanding Our Calling and Work
by Derek Prime
and Alistair Begg
Moody
Publishers, Chicago (2004)
304 pages
"Finally, both the pastor and
teacher himself and the church fellowship of which he is a part need to be
clear as to his function and place in the body of Christ. His principal task is
to edify the church by spiritual feeding. We cannot overestimate the importance
of the edification of God’s people through regular and systematic teaching and
preaching of His Word. A seminal Scripture for thought is Acts 9:31 where Luke
explains that, after Saul’s conversion, “the church throughout Judea, Galilee
and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the
Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.” The
implication is that as the church was strengthened spiritually, so it grew
numerically. Since the Church grows and flourishes as the Word of God has free
course and is honored, any uncertainty as to the place of pastors and teachers
in the Church militates against the spiritual stability, discipline,
prosperity, and growth of Christ’s people. It is not surprising that Satan uses
confusion concerning their place in the Church as a subtle ploy to harm
her."
- from the Introduction, page 14
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