A Practical Guide for Men Aspiring to Ministry
What does it mean when a young man says he is “called” to be a pastor? Does that mean he is, or will be, qualified to be an elder? Is he gifted to work in pastoral ministry? According to pastor Bobby Jamieson, the idea of “calling” is the wrong place to start.
In The Path to Being a Pastor, Jamieson exhorts readers to trade the question “Am I called?” for “Am I qualified?” Instead of making pastoral ministry their goal, he encourages aspiring pastors to focus on their qualifications for eldership and begin participating in ministry in their local churches. For those further along the process and beginning their pastoral work, Jamieson offers advice about godly ambition, encouragement for those going through the candidating process, and a call to cherish Christ above their ministry. Written from personal experience, this guide lays the groundwork for aspiring leaders to walk through various stages of ministry preparation, trusting that the Lord will direct their steps on the path to becoming a pastor.
192 pages.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part 1: Finding the Path
Chapter 1: Say “I Aspire,” Not “I’m Called”
Chapter 2: Aspire Humbly
Chapter 3: Seek Wisdom
Chapter 4: Make the Biblical Qualifications Your Compass
Part 2: Walking the Path
Chapter 5: Learn to Pastor from Faithful Pastors and Healthy Churches
Chapter 6: Start Setting an Example
Chapter 7: Elder Before You Elder
Chapter 8: Want to Be a Leader? Then Lead Something
Chapter 9: Master and Be Mastered by Scripture
Chapter 10: Take Every Teaching Opportunity You Can Get
Chapter 11: Pinch Hit
Chapter 12: Apprentice in the Craft of Preaching
Chapter 13: Read for Life
Chapter 14: Give Yourself to Prayer
Chapter 15: Banish Pornography
Chapter 16: Marry Wisely
Chapter 17: Lay down Your Life for Your Wife
Chapter 18: Pastor Your Children
Chapter 19: Study God’s Blueprints for the Church
Chapter 20: Serve Outside the Spotlight
Chapter 21: If You Can, Make the Most of Seminary
Chapter 22: Improve Your Trials
Chapter 23: Filter
Part 3: Approaching the Destination
Chapter 24: Slay and Resurrect Ambition
Chapter 25: Be Careful Who You Work For
Chapter 26: Candidate Candidly
Chapter 27: Cherish Christ
General Index
Scripture Index
Path to Being a Pastor, The is in the following collections: