The Pastor's Family: Shepherding Your Family Through the Challenges of Pastoral Ministry
ISBN: 9780310495093Featuring insights from the perspective of both a pastor and his wife, The Pastor's Family identifies the complicated burdens and expectations ministry brings to the life of a family. Brian and Cara Croft identify the unique challenges that pastors face as husbands and fathers. They also discuss the difficulties and joys of being a pastor's wife and offer practical advice on raising children in a ministry family. In addition to addressing the challenges of marriage and raising children, they also highlight the joys of serving together as a family and the unique opportunities pastors have to train their children and lead their families.
With discussion questions for use by couples and pastoral reading groups, this book is ideal for pastors and their spouses, pastoral ministry students and their wives, as well as elders, deacons, and others who wish to remain faithful to the care of their families while diligently fulfilling their calling in ministry. The Pastor's Family equips pastors with time-tested wisdom to address the tension of family and congregational dynamics while persevering in their calling.
Table of Contents: Authors: Brian Croft is Senior Pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Brian is the founder of Practical Shepherding, a non-profit organization committed to equipping pastors all over the world in the practical matters of pastoral ministry. Cara Croft is a wife to Brian and a homeschooling mother of their four children. She did her undergraduate work at Asbury College and serves in a number of ways teaching and discipling the ladies of Auburndale Baptist Church. She enjoys serving her husband and family and looks forward to when she will have more time to pursue her love of speaking, teaching, writing and photography.
Foreword by Thabiti and Kristie Anyabwile
Part 1: The Pastor's Heart: "It's Not You - It's Me"
1. The Problem (Brian)
2. The Solution (Brian)
Reflection: Signs of Grace in Ministry (Jim Savastio)
Part 2: The Pastor's Wife: "I Don't Recall Saying 'I Do' to This!"
3. The Struggle (Cara)
4. Caring for Your Wife (Brian)
Reflection: Keeping Your Marriage Strong (Cathi Johnson)
Part 3: The Pastor's Children: "Daddy, Can't You Stay Home Tonight?"
5. Shepherding Individually (Brian)
6. Shepherding Together (Brian)
7. Shepherding Looking Forward (Brian)
Reflection: Thoughts from a PK ("Pastor's Kid")
Conclusion: Faithful to Family, Fruitful in Ministry (Brian)
Afterword: Confessions of a Pastor's Wife (Cara)
Appendix 1: My Battle with Depression (Cara)
Appendix 2: Before Becoming a Pastor (Brian)
Additional Information:
| Cover: | Softcover |
| Number of Pages: | 171 |
| Author: | Croft, Brian & Cara |
| Publisher: | Zondervan |
| Publication Date: | 2013 |