What do you think?
Rate this book
Preparation for Ministry
'Preparation For Ministry' deals with important issues relating to a call to the Christian ministry, theological training, and entry into pastoral work.
The author has written it out of his own rich experience as a student, a pastor, and a seminary teacher. Those contemplating entry into the Christian ministry will benefit greatly from his practical advice on such subjects as coming to faith, the call to the ministry, pre-theological study, and choosing a theological college or seminary.
Those already in theological training or who have recently entered into ministry will also find much to help them within these pages on such topics as the theological course, early ministry, and staying fresh.
A brief bibliography is provided, and the book also contains useful appendices, including:
a guide to preparatory reading
a short guide to sermon preparation
C. H. Spurgeon's The Minister's Self-Watch
B. B. Warfield's The Religious Life of Theological Students
The author has written it out of his own rich experience as a student, a pastor, and a seminary teacher. Those contemplating entry into the Christian ministry will benefit greatly from his practical advice on such subjects as coming to faith, the call to the ministry, pre-theological study, and choosing a theological college or seminary.
Those already in theological training or who have recently entered into ministry will also find much to help them within these pages on such topics as the theological course, early ministry, and staying fresh.
A brief bibliography is provided, and the book also contains useful appendices, including:
a guide to preparatory reading
a short guide to sermon preparation
C. H. Spurgeon's The Minister's Self-Watch
B. B. Warfield's The Religious Life of Theological Students
117 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 30, 2016
A simple yet succinct book on the great task and responsibility of ministry. The book discusses the initial call, ways to prepare for theological training, how to respond to theological studies, and the first years of ministry. Additionally, there are two excerpts from Spurgeon and Warfield in the back. These are exceptional reads. I will reread this book again.
October 16, 2023
This book is a short primer (117 pages), but provides a useful overview of aspects of ministry in terms of preparation and useful resources.
The two appendices by Charles Spurgeon and B.B. Warfield are also very useful in terms of staying faithful and focused in ministry and having a balance of diligence in studies and godliness that can be reflected in the public ministry of the Word for the congregation.
1. A sermon by Charles Spurgeon, The Minister's Self-Watch
2. The Religious Life of Theological Students, an address given by B.B. Warfield at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1911
I found Warfield's comments especially helpful in carefully distinguishing and critiquing the dichotomy between theological studies and godliness due to views of pietism. Warfield shows that the two go together and that theological studies must be done with a view towards God and not a secular spirit, and theological studies should not be viewed as antithetical to godliness. Theological studies should be viewed as a privilege to study the depths of God and His Word and bring that privilege before the congregation to the salvation of souls and encouragement of believers.
"A minister must be learned, on pain of being utterly incompetent for his work. But before and above being learned, a minister must be godly. Nothing could be more fatal, however, than to set these two things over against one another" (B.B. Warfield, Appendix IIII, pg. 95)
The two appendices by Charles Spurgeon and B.B. Warfield are also very useful in terms of staying faithful and focused in ministry and having a balance of diligence in studies and godliness that can be reflected in the public ministry of the Word for the congregation.
1. A sermon by Charles Spurgeon, The Minister's Self-Watch
2. The Religious Life of Theological Students, an address given by B.B. Warfield at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1911
I found Warfield's comments especially helpful in carefully distinguishing and critiquing the dichotomy between theological studies and godliness due to views of pietism. Warfield shows that the two go together and that theological studies must be done with a view towards God and not a secular spirit, and theological studies should not be viewed as antithetical to godliness. Theological studies should be viewed as a privilege to study the depths of God and His Word and bring that privilege before the congregation to the salvation of souls and encouragement of believers.
"A minister must be learned, on pain of being utterly incompetent for his work. But before and above being learned, a minister must be godly. Nothing could be more fatal, however, than to set these two things over against one another" (B.B. Warfield, Appendix IIII, pg. 95)
October 17, 2023
Application was amazing
April 6, 2016
Very useful book giving a basic set of tools and guidelines for the minister in training, from assessing one's call to choosing a seminary to preparing sermons to navigating the early stages of ministry. The latter half of the book reprints Spurgeon's "The Minister's Self-Watch", and Warfield's "The Religious Life of Theological Students", two very well-chosen selections to whet the appetite. While it won't replace the classics like Baxter, Spurgeon, or Lloyd-Jones, this is the first book I give to men who feel that they are called to the ministry.
January 25, 2021
This book is very short but to the point.
It has many important insights to questions that are often not discussed often (because the nature of the questions only for a specific subset of Christians).
This can be read in a short time but has the great potential to save one considering the ministry or beginning in the ministry much time by warning the reader of common pitfalls and guiding them to the correct path.
It has many important insights to questions that are often not discussed often (because the nature of the questions only for a specific subset of Christians).
This can be read in a short time but has the great potential to save one considering the ministry or beginning in the ministry much time by warning the reader of common pitfalls and guiding them to the correct path.
September 24, 2016
Exceptionally handy little book for those considering pastoral ministry or preparing for it (or even are early on in their first ministry). Clear, logical, devotional, practical, loaded with experience and wisdom.
February 8, 2016
Good. The appendices at the end were the most memorable though; the old preachers were master metaphorists.
May 26, 2016
Helpful
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews