Caring for your pastor and the difference it makes.
What do you think about your pastor? Do you chew over his sermons and wonder if they are clear and helpful? Do you feel he spends enough time with you? In fact, do you ever catch yourself wondering what he does all day?
The truth is, often we think, "What can my pastor do for me?" Far less often do we think, "What can I do for my pastor?"
Seasoned former pastor, Christopher Ash, urges church members to think about pastors not just in terms of what they do – how they lead and pray and preach and teach and so on – but about who they are. He encourages us to remember that pastors are people and to pray for them as they serve us.
Paradoxically, caring for our pastor will be a blessing to us as well as to them, and create a culture of true fellowship in our church family.
Introduction
The pastors’ Hall of Faith
Why look after your pastor?
Seven virtues of church members that impact our pastors:
1: Daily repentance and eager faith
2: Committed belonging
3: Open honesty
4: Thoughtful watchfulness
5: Loving kindness
6: High expectations
7: Zealous submission
Somebody needs to really know your pastor!
Conclusion: Where do we go from here?
| Contributors | Christopher Ash |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781784984328 |
| Format | eBook |
| First published | May 2019 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Good Book Company |
I was delighted that Christopher Ash’s new book unpacks the overlooked exhortation of Hebrews 13 v 17, namely, that it is the responsibility of the sheep to make the shepherd's work a joy and not a burden. Christopher lays out seven ways to do so. I know of no other book like this—it is a "charge to the congregation" that is more specific and practical than anything else you will find in print.
Too many pastors today are discouraged, isolated, and weary, and it shows in the alarming rate of drop-out from pastoral ministry. In this book, Christopher Ash has pooled his extensive experience and wisdom to produce a book that could help make a real difference. If church members and leadership teams can read this book, we could help more pastors persevere and thrive in their ministry to us.
Christopher Ash has served churches well for decades now, at Cornhill, in a local church, through his writings (how about that Job commentary?!). Now he provides a most unusual service. A modern take on an old form—the Church Member's Handbook—Christopher has asked the simple question, "How can I love and serve my pastor, in a way that will do him, his family and our church good?" The answer is straightforward, biblical and life-giving. Careful and loving, this in fact IS a book your pastor wishes you would read (but we ARE too embarrassed to ask you). Thanks, Christopher!
This book will help you have the mindset of Christ which swaps the question, How is my pastor meeting my needs? for, How could I better serve my pastor?... continue reading
Why not order a few copies and meet with a smaller group of member in your church and discover together how you can care more for your Pastor.... continue reading
I got this when I was feeling guilty about feeling discontent with my pastor and found it helpful - it's short, accessible and full of practical ideas. It also made me realise the burden of being a pastor and empathise more with church leadership. I'm planning to share it with others in my church.
This book was so up-lifting.
Christopher Ash is in a unique position to be able to express so many of the things that all those in ministry wish they could say without sounding selfish.
It was encouraging to read the very real accounts at the beginning of each chapter, showing how those in leadership are real people contending for the faith with many of the same struggles as those in their care.
The chapters are then filled with practical and helpful advice in how to uphold those leading us in their faith as God guides them to help us in ours.
This book is a necessary read for any church member!
A very good book, easy to read, and one every member of every congregation should read.
Even as the wife of a vicar who knows how the job can consume life, and how the actions of church members can have such a big impact, this was a wonderful explanation of how every church member has a part to play in encouraging their church leaders and keeping them going. If everyone took the ideas in this book on board, who knows what the body of Christ could achieve!
I think this book does a wonderful job of 'humanising' the pastor. Few ministers put themselves on a pedestal, but sometimes we do. Even if we keep our perspective straight, we may still not actually treat them like what they should be - a human being like the rest of us, needing friends, accountability, encouragement, prayer, challenging, building up. For church elders and members, I would recommend reading this book alongside another of Christopher Ash's brilliant contributions, 'Zeal without Burnout'; both paint a picture of some of the challenges (and potentially, the loneliness) that can face those in full-time ministry, and offer a wealth of simple advice to help us care for each other. Both books are easy to read, concise and warm.
As a retired pastor I found this particularly interesting. I think my present church is pretty good at looking after our pastor but I know many that are not!
Here is a book that really does have the potential to change churches for the better. Concisely written, realistic and clearly thought through, Christopher Ash focuses on the practical things that ordinary church members can do to improve their Pastor's effectiveness and happiness, and make him more able to fulfill his calling. I shall certainly share it with friends at church, and I suggest it could very usefully become the basis for a small group discussion outline or a DVD led discussion series, along the lines of 'Six Steps to Loving Your Church'. Publishers - please have a think about that.
A challenging little book that should be compulsory reading for all church members. Whilst the examples were, at times, rather stereotyped, the lessons were painfully accurate. I realise that I don't pray often enough for our clergy. We expect them to be loving and tolerant towards us even when we treat them with disrespect. We reviewed this book in a service (whilst the vicar is on sabbatical!) encouraging everyone to read it!
I read it in 3 hours. I couldn’t put it down. It is now making the rounds around the church members. For some it will be a reminder of what they know and for others it will be eye opening!
As a pastor who has experienced my share of guilt in the ministry, this book was a God-send. I'm just now beginning to realize that not everything that goes "bad" in the church is the pastor's fault. Although it is true that I am too embarrassed to send this book to those whom God has entrusted into my care, I am not too embarrassed to give this book to parishioners of other churches, so that my fellow pastors can benefit. (The only drawback I found in this book was the ten fictional examples of pastors in the first chapter: None of the ten were bi-vocational - balancing a 40+ hour week job with the responsibilities of ministry).
