Last summer our elders and I were talking about trying to find some of the best books on the call to ministry. As we talked we realized that we did not have many of these books on hand. After doing a fair bit of research I read through a number of books to try to find the best resources for our context. We were looking for a shorter book that helped men to discern whether they should pursue ministry as a pastor. In particular, we were looking for resources that involved the congregation in the process. Below are the best books that we found and reviewed according the this criteria.
- Prepare the to Shepherd, by Brian Croft. Like most books on the subject Brian talks about the moral and spiritual qualifications for the office. But, the additional stuff you get from Brian would include a peak into how he prepares guys for the ministry. He lets us into his internship process at his church. Why is this important? Because he shows how the congregation comes to recognize and affirm the man’s gifting. It is short and very helpful.
- Church Elders, by Jeramie Rinne. I love Jeremy’s book for new elders or for elder preparation. It is so very helpful. I also think it is helpful for helping guys to discern what an elder looks like and then to see if the gifting is evident. This book does the same thing for the congregation. Put this alongside Croft’s book.
- Called to the Ministry, by Edmund Clowney. Many people really like this one. It was encouraging to me as a pastor and it helped me to value the ministry and the importance of the call. Clowney belabors the point of the personal and loving nature of God calling a man to ministry. It’s a helpful book that should be considered.
- Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons, by Thabiti Anyabwile. Thabiti is just massively helpful in everything he writes; and this one is no different. While writing for both elders and deacons, this book helps the prospective pastor to better understand what a faithful elder looks like. Again, what does a called man look like?
- Am I Called? by Dave Harvey. This book deals specifically with the call to ministry. Harvey talks through what it means to be called and qualified—part of which is affirmation from the local church in which the individual is a member. I found his biographical stories at the end of each chapter, from pastors in the past to be complimentary to his chapters. Harvey writes like an older pastor talking to younger guys considering the ministry. In many cases this is the type of tone and content that pastors are aiming to get before their young potential leaders.
Honorable Mention: Lectures to My Students, by Spurgeon. It doesn’t fit with the short category, however, I think that anyone considering the ministry should read this book. It is clarifying and something of a pastoral classic for us today.
Any other suggestions?
