The Pentecostal Pastor: A Mandate for the 21st Century

Rating:
Summary: Just What I've Been Looking For
Review: "The Pentecostal Pastor" touches almost every area imaginable to the pastor/minister. While covering everything in a pastor's life, both professional and personal, this book gives practical information, ideas, and advice for ministers looking for an extra "edge" in their ministry.

Rating:
Summary: A Peek at the Person Behind the Pulpit
Review: Anyone who has ever considered becoming a full-time vocational Pentecostal minister would be remiss if they did not read "The Pentecostal Pastor". This wonderful book is compiled by current and former pastors, who hold various positions of leadership within the Assemblies of God organization. The truth be known, even if you disagree with the Pentecostal perspectives of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit but you're of evangelical beliefs, there is a lot of material that is simply excellent. for example, areas of consecrated living and personal devotion to God I'm confident you would whole-heartedly agree with.

Though all the material is excellent, there are many favorites of wonderfully written topics such as: life of the pastor, avoiding burnout, expository preaching, the legal responsibilities of the church and living above reproach (well written)in addition to many more. There are even subjects covered in the book that are have been known to put even Pentecostals on different sides like can a pastor have "money"? Perhaps a more general question addressing this issue is "what is the definition of wealth"?, or "should a pastor be associated with having money"?

The section on accountability is simply excellent, convicting, sensible, and easy to apply. Every church goer should read this book, perspective full time minister or not. This material will give you a much better picture of the magnitude of the responsibility that your pastor's shoulders that are not limited to just lifestyle.

The book is not just dry material. There is a witty section on being a pastor's wife depicting the anxieties and expectations that a woman has to deal with, but written in an encouraging way. It is powerful and humorously yet reverently written. Anyone who can say that one of her favorite theologans is "Winnie the Pooh" and make a great application is my kind of author. Another great point in the section was about taking Christ seriously, but being able to laugh at ourselves.

If you think all a pastor does is work one day a week and golf the other six, get ready to have your misconceptions blown away a mile high and wide, this book accurately and at times sadfully, portrays what can probably at times the most thankless, underpaid and high stress professions, yet without question the highest and most sacred calling of God on a person's life. I recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: The Complete Resource For Pentecostal Pastors
Review: I am aware that many in the evangelical church who are not charismatic believe that the Pentecostal movement borders on complete heresy. Many view the Pentecostal church and their pastors as experience based fanatics. If anyone would take time to read THE PENTECOSTAL PASTOR then they would see that this is certainly not the case with the Assemblies of God.

This massive volume weighs in on nearly every subject from prayer to doctrine to expository preaching and teaching to ethics to marriage issues and holiness. This book is great not only for Pentecostal pastors but for all Christians. It offers insights into study habits and many other facets of the normal Christian life. A reading of this book will leave you knowing that the Assemblies of God leaders desire their pastors and teachers to be biblically grounded and to stay focused on the kingdom of God.

A must read!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource for any pastor of pentecostal persuasion
Review: The leaders of the Assemblies of God have developed a wonderful resource both for current pastors in the A/G and other Pentecostal denominations and for those studying to be pastors. The book contained many practical insights from A/G leaders, pastors, missionaries, and college professors who have been successful in the fields which they tackle in their writing. It focuses on six important areas: priorities in the pastor's life, the pastor's personal life, revival, accountability, ministry to the body, and spirit-annointed worship. While better editing and organization would have helped, this hefty 600-page book is a wonderful addition to my library.