The Pastor: His Call, Character, and Work

The Pastor: His Call, Character, and WorkThe authors of The Pastor: His Call, Character, and Work were all men closely associated, either as students, professors, or in one case a director, with Princeton Theological Seminary, which was established in 1812 by the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America. It was founded as a nursery of vital piety as well as of sound theological learningto train up persons for the ministry who shall be lovers as well as defenders of the truth as it

The authors of The Pastor: His Call, Character, and Work were all men closely associated, either as students, professors, or in one case a director, with Princeton Theological Seminary, which was established in 1812 by the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America. It was founded as a ‘nursery of vital piety as well as of sound theological learning…to train up persons for the ministry who shall be lovers as well as defenders of the truth as it is in Jesus, friends of revivals of religion, and a blessing to the church of God.’

A sample of the Princeton view of the ministry is contained in this little volume. Taken together its chapters form a small instruction manual on the key elements in the work of a minister of the gospel in any age and place.

These pages combine theological acumen, a high sense of purpose, a vision of the privileges of serving Christ, and a recalibration of our whole vision for ministry.

The chapters in this book have been selected from the two-volume Princeton and the Work of the Christian Ministry, also published by the Banner of Truth.

Publisher: Banner of Truth
Type: Hardback
ISBN: 9781848717749

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The book, The Pastor: His Call, Character, and Work, is a wonderful book of collected writings. This book is a smaller collection from the two volume work, Princeton and the Work of Christian Ministry. I am thankful for this work, and the impact it has had on me as a pastor. This book both encouraged and challenged me as I seek to shepherd God’s flock. I had not heard of everyone who contributed to this book, but I am thankful for their ministry and heart for Christ. Overall, this book seeks to encourage and teach pastors more about the ministry that God calls them to. Subjects like calling, living as examples, preaching and teaching, and overall ideas of ministry were written about. One of my favorite chapters is entitled, “On the importance of aiming at eminent piety,” written by Archibald Alexander. This chapter alone is worth the price of the book. This chapter taught me that while I need to be focused on the holiness of the flock, I cannot turn away from pursuing holiness myself. Alexander teaches that ministers must keep a watch on their own pursuit of holiness in Christ, in order to better serve the Church of Christ. He says, “Nothing upon earth is so lovely as the mild but steady light of a holy life” (63). May this be true of all Gospel ministers. I would recommend this book to all pastors, and all who desire pastoral ministry. This work proves to remind the Gospel minister that holiness, sound doctrine, and preaching Christ crucified are vitally important in the Gospel ministry. I am thankful for Banner of Truth for publishing this work, and I look forward to reading the larger 2 volumes. David Nalley