The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read (But Is Too Embarrassed To Ask)
Book Description:
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.
Caring for our pastor will create a culture of true fellowship in our church family which will benefit everyone.
Contents
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?
Author:
Christopher Ash has been a pastor and is now an author and Writer-in-Residence at Tyndale House, Cambridge. He was Director of the Proclamation Trust’s Cornhill Training Course from 2004 to 2015. He is married to Carolyn, and they have four children and ten grandchildren.
Endorsements:
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.
--Dr Timothy Keller, The late Founding Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and Chairman of Redeemer City to City.
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.
--Michael Reeves, President of Union School of Theology
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!
--Mark Dever, Sr. Pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church
In the short time it will take to read this book, a radical shift may well take place—a shift in orientation from asking “How is my pastor doing in meeting my needs?” to “How am I doing in caring for my pastor?”
--Nancy Guthrie, Bible teacher and author of the Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament series
The shepherd tends the flock—we get that—but whoever thought of the flock looking after the shepherd! Christopher Ash has and, with his usual clarity and kindness, shows us what that means and why it matters.
--Alistair Begg, Bible Teacher, Truth For Life; Previous Senior Pastor, Parkside Church, Cleveland; Author, Pray Big and The Christian Manifesto
We expect pastors to read quite a lot—of Scripture, and of books that help them understand and explain Scripture—so that they become better able to meet us in our need. The book you are holding in your hands is not one of those books. Rather, it is a book to help church members understand Scripture better so that they become better able to meet pastors in their need. After all, don't you want their work to be a joy, not a burden (Hebrews 13:17)—a joy and not a burden both to them and to the sheep in their flock? I wonder how much the fruitful and happy functioning of a local church turns on believers who are grateful encouragers of their pastors, prayerful warriors who draw out from their under-shepherd the very best he can give them!
--Don Carson, Co-founder, The Gospel Coalition; Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Additional Information:
Cover: Softcover
Number of Pages: 126
Publisher: The Good Book Company
Publication Date: 2019