Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2074262 in Books
• Published on: 1996-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Library Binding
• 295 pages

Customer Reviews

One of the greatest books I've ever read
This book gives a person seeking the office of pastor a characteristic that cannot be neglected or lost. The characteristic cannot be confined into one definition, but can be summed up into one word, which is earnestness. Earnestness is to have power in the pulpit to gain the attention of those that hear you. It is a quality that references a striving and laboring towards the conversion of souls.

James lays out the apostolic ministry. A ministry that is concentrated on the bringing of sinners to reconciliation with God. Ministers should use all the acts of persuasion in order to accomplish this goal. Earnestness involves the selection of a particular object and then to realize its value and significance. Our object is not giving two eloquent, well prepared sermons on Sunday morning and to be pleased by the people. Our object is to preside over the people and as Hebrews 13:17 says, to watch for the souls and give account. James states that if souls are not saved, then "the great purpose of our ministry is defeated." He says the necessity of laboring for souls is the primary objective of pastoral ministry.

The object of value must take full possession of the mind and intense desire of the heart. James says that, "The object of an earnest man is never for any long period of time absent from his thoughts." The object of an earnest minister "is impressed upon his whole character, and is inseparable from his conduct." Ministers should use things that will "polish and plume his shafts or sharpen the points of his arrows," so that, "he may the more certainly hit and pierce the mark." Ministers should be in a constant state of learning in order to obtain their overall objective.

Also, a minister is to not be satisfied. Pastors should continually be asking the question, "What can I do differently in order to see better results." Pastors should be evaluating their job and how well they are performing. Everything which that a pastor encounters should contribute to the overall objective. Ministry and learning go together and should not be separated. An earnest man will not only train his mind, but will also discipline his heart. A pastor cannot fulfill his obligations of being a "preacher to the world and a pastor to the church," without an abundant amount of personal godliness.

James points out that there should be earnestness in the manner of a pastors preaching. They truth they encountered in their study must be living inside of them. The people who listen to our words must know that we have met with God and that we are bringing them a word from Him. James states it well when he says, "We must therefore rise from exegesis into exhortation, warning, and expostulation." It is our duty to present the truth living inside of us, so that the word may reach the heart of the people and awaken their consciences. According to James, earnestness in preaching is when the people know that the preacher has encountered the truth of God, is manifesting that truth, and that he is laboring for them to forsake evil.

An earnest pastor is to be involved with his flock. A pastor is to be in active pursuit of his congregation becoming more like Christ. In order to accomplish this, a pastor must give the necessary time and attention to each member. Whether this is done through some type of staff position or the pastor himself is left up to the size of each congregation. Also, pastors are to help the leaders of the church become more effective.

The entire book was rich with truths for pastoral ministry. One of the most impressive points is found in chapter VIII. James says, a pastor "is to be imitated in the manner as well as in the matter of his preaching; he is to be closely and constantly followed in his liveliness, his tenderness, his fidelity, his solemnity." Ministers should constantly ask themselves the question, "Am I willing to be imitated?"

This is a great book that should be cherished by all those seeking the office of pastor. If we only had pastors as the one James laid out, we would have much more healthy churches among us today. This book will bring any pastor back to the place of being earnest before his people, himself, and God.