The New Guidebook for Pastors: A Book Review

In the book The New Guidebook for Pastors, James W. Bryant and Mac Brunson do a magnificent job of identifying and explaining the practical nuts and bolts that make a successful pastorate and a fruitful church.

No chapter in this book is more convincing than the very first one. In chapter one Bryant and Brunson address God’s call to preach. “The church may call a man to be its pastor, but God calls a man to preach.” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 14). The authors make it clear that preaching the Word of God is at the core of the pastoral ministry. They suggest that the call to preach is a calling from God, which may result in the obedient one pastoring a church; but, will always result in that man preaching the Word of God. All that is needed is a commitment to the Word from the one whom God has chosen. “You make the commitment. God will make away.” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 15)

“The call is something that is an indescribable joy and an indefinable burden at the same time.” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 32). There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a congregation of the redeemed moving forward in their faith. However exciting this may be, it is usually not the thrill that propels the pastor in his service. It is the burden placed on the pastor by God that compels him in his work. The pastor understands that he is largely responsible for the work of God being accomplished by his faithfulness to his calling. “All through the Word of God and down through the annals of history, when God has moved it has almost always been attended by the preaching of the Word.” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 31)

Bryant and Brunson point to the pastor’s prayer life as the means of grace that best prepare him for this awesome responsibility. R...

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...uild up.” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 227).

Bryant and Brunson have done a terrific job of assessing the pastoral ministry and giving sound advice, to the young or prospective pastor. The present author believes that this book should be standard in every pastor’s library. “God promises to be with his servants as they follow” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 16) The apostle Paul gave three rules to keep the pastor on the track of a good reward: “Fight the Good Fight; Finish the Race; and Keep the Faith.” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 240-242) The greatest joy for a pastor is to, “Finish well.”

Bibliography

Bryant, James W., and Mac Brunson. The New Guidebook for Pastors. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2007.

Strauch, Alexander. Biblical Eldership: Restoring the Eldership to Its Rightful Place in the church. Rev. ed. Littleton: Lewis and Roth Publishers, 1997.