Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Work on Pastoral Theology
Review: Despite the previous review of this book, I recommend it to all. Dr. MacArthur, and The Master's Seminary Faculty has done a great service to pastor's everywhere.

First, the book is comprehensive. It deals with as many issues pertaining to pastoral leadership that you can shake a stick at. It ranges from the pastor and his study, to the pastor and congregational prayer, and everything in between.

Second, just because a book advocates a particular theological position (especially since it is based on Scripture) does not make it wrong. MacArthur and company do an excellent job advocating their position, and this reviewer agrees whole-heartedly. As a pastor myself, I understand the pressure that is put on us to be examples and leaders. Scripture says to not be a teacher if you do not have to be because they will be judged harsher. If that does not illustrate the extremely difficult position of being a pastor then I do not know what does. MacArthur does not advocate perfection in the pastorate. He knows as well as I that that is impossible on this side of heaven. What he does advocate is "above reproach" pastoring, which is clearly seen in 1 Timothy. As for the women issue... there is not room to deal with that issue here. It is more complex than the other reviewer is letting on. As for this reviewer, I accept the complementarian approach and think that MacArthur and company do a good job at advocating it.

There are issues I have with this book. It's more "elder rule" type governing system (especially dividing teaching and ruling elders), has a great deal of Scripture to deal with before one can see it as the biblical approach.

All in all though, this is an excellent book. I recommend it to all who are interested in accomplishing biblical pastoral leadership. It should probably be supplemented by other volumes, including Joseph M. Stowell's "Shepherding the Church" and John Armstrong's "Reforming Pastoral Ministry."

Rating:
Summary: The Master's Seminary Guide to Ministry
Review: If you desire to emulate the pastoral ministry of John MacArthur, or you would like to be a student at Master's Seminary, or you dream of building a church modeled after Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, this is the book for you. In "Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry" you will find a condensed version of the pastoral theology curriculum of Master's Seminary. The book looks at the role of the pastor, the qualifications of a pastor, the personal and public sides of the pastors life, and the major areas of church ministry. While the Bible seems to provide principles and guidelines in which individual churches are allowed to express their unique ministries, I found MacArthur and his team to be very opinionated and dogmatic about the way church should be done. Many of his methods and concepts would be both impractical and ineffective for the majority of the church world. The Bible sets the bar high when it comes to qualifying for the pastoral office. I found MacArthur sets the qualifications even higher than that which Scripture requires. Portions of the book provide valuable teaching for all evangelical pastors and churches. The author's high view of Scripture and Biblical authority is refreshing. Despite my cautions about the book, it is a valuable contribution to pastoral literature. If your views are the same as MacArthur or you're willing to wade through his dogma on disputable issues, you'll be enriched by the book.

Rating:
Summary: A good book
Review: John MacArthur and company lay down the foundation for the pastoral office covering the biblical requirements and duties the office is to perform. The book offers examples of pastoral theology throughout (many of which made it into my notes) and is written in a non-technical fashion. The book, as with Oden's Pastoral Theology, is geared for those who are looking to enter the teaching office. Of importance is a chapter devoted to scaring off those who are not truly called to fulfill the teaching office. This I truly feel is of great importance and something which another book, Biblical Eldership (Alexander Strauch, 1995), also dwells upon but Oden's Pastoral Theology fails to drive home with enthusiasm. Unfortunately Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry does not dwell long upon the idea that a good pastor can do, or teach, good theology (as contrasted with simple doctrine) which Oden's book spends time upon (pp. 141-152). Rather, MacArthur's work centers more upon practical matters of the pastoral office. This is not to say that the idea of pastors doing good theology isn't presented in this book, but that a chapter isn't devoted to the idea. Of special interest is a chapter on worshipping, which frankly, is the best I've read in a concentrated study.
Although MacArthur holds to Reformed theology, there was only one instance within this work were this came to the forefront and drove his conclusions (p. 92, re: grace extended to children based upon parents beliefs). Overall MacArthur strikes me a sincere and compassionate minister who deeply cares for the direction of the church and those who shall lead it in the future and I would recommend this book to any Christian seeking to learn more about the office of elder/pastor.