Contents

Here is the Table of Contents for my book, For Pastors of Small Churches, written about 20 years ago.

Foreword …………………………………………………………….. i

Foreword …………………………………………………………… iii

Foreword ………………………………………………………….. vii

Preface ………………………………………………………………. xi

1. On Preaching the Gospel ………………………………… 1

2. The Call to Pastoral Ministry ……………………………. 8

3. Examine Yourself ………………………………………….. 15

4. Pastoring To Preach ………………………………………. 19

5. Preparation for the Pastoral Ministry ………………. 23

6. The Devotional Life …………………………………….. 29

7. The Center of Our Ministry—Abiding in Jesus . 33

8. Remember, We Have a Fallen Nature……………. 36

9. On Learning to Preach ………………………………….. 41

10. Finding Sermon Topics ………………………………… 52

For Pastors

11. On Teaching the Bible …………………………………. 58

12. Discussion of the Sermon …………………………….. 64

13. Listening to Criticism …………………………………… 66

14. Public Ministry—Is it a Performance? ……………. 71

15. Keeping Strong and Healthy ………………………… 75

16. Early to Bed, Early to Rise… ……………………….. 79

17. The Pastor’s Work Schedule…………………………. 81

18. Personal Finances and Life-style ………………….. 85

19. Deciding What Ministry to Engage In …………… 90

20. Church Structure …………………………………………. 96

21. The Worship Service ………………………………….. 100

22. The Prayer Meeting …………………………………… 108

23. The Bible Study ………………………………………… 112

24. Avoid Political and Social Controversies ………. 116

25. Avoid “Movements” Within Christianity ……… 120

26. Avoid Fund-raisers …………………………………….. 123

27. Limit Promotions ……………………………………….. 128

28. What Title to Use ………………………………………. 132

29. On Being a Counselor ………………………………… 135

30. On Helping Others …………………………………….. 139

31. Recognition and Rewards …………………………… 144

32. Coping with Failure …………………………………… 148

Table of Contents

33. Having A Trade …………………………………………. 153

34. Own a Pickup Truck! …………………………………. 156

35. Weddings and Funerals ……………………………… 159

36. Do Not Ask ……………………………………………….. 163

37. Our Need for a Confessor or Mentor …………… 168

38. Thoughts on Retirement ……………………………. 171

39. Pastoring the Small Church ………………………… 174

40. Pastoring the Large Church ……………………….. 179

41. On Being an Associate ……………………………….. 182

42. Love Your Spouse ……………………………………… 187

43. Spend Time with Your Children …………………. 190

44. Dragons in the Church……………………………….. 193

45. Know and Face Your Limitations ………………… 198

46. Angry Pastors …………………………………………….. 201

47. Theological Models ……………………………………. 209

48. Church Discipline ……………………………………… 215

49. On Being Politically Correct ……………………….. 222

50. Avoiding Magical Thinking ………………………… 226

51. A Sermon to Have Ready to Preach ……………. 230

52. The Pastor as A Suffering Servant ………………. 237

53. The Parsonage …………………………………………… 240

54. Pride: An Enemy of our Ministry ………………… 243

For Pastors

55. The Filing System ……………………………………… 247

56. Refuse to Be Intimidated …………………………… 250

57. One Last Word on Preaching ……………………… 255

Appendix ……………………………………………………….. 257

Postscript ………………………………………………………… 259

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