What do you think?
Rate this book
Appointed to Preach: Assessing a Call to the Ministry
Book by David W. Hegg
Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
2 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 21, 2021
Hegg's smaller work on the preparatory work of being a pastor proved to be both mundane and terrifying. The first half of the book focuses on the biblical arguments for the calling of a man to ministry, as well as the discernment of that calling. This was rather routine, and did not stand out among other works that cover the same topic.
The second half of the book looks at the practical side of a candidate's process of being affirmed as the pastor of a church. While I appreciate Hegg's attention to detail, there was an overall lack of "humanity" in this section, in that it was very cut and dry, similar to a syllabus from school. This resulted in "syllabus shock" for this reader!
The ideal circumstances for ordination that Hegg suggests, while ideal, are practically obsolete in the church today, and thus difficult for any church to implement.
Overall, this book provided a welcomed reminder, but lacked an insightful touch.
The second half of the book looks at the practical side of a candidate's process of being affirmed as the pastor of a church. While I appreciate Hegg's attention to detail, there was an overall lack of "humanity" in this section, in that it was very cut and dry, similar to a syllabus from school. This resulted in "syllabus shock" for this reader!
The ideal circumstances for ordination that Hegg suggests, while ideal, are practically obsolete in the church today, and thus difficult for any church to implement.
Overall, this book provided a welcomed reminder, but lacked an insightful touch.
February 3, 2025
Overall, a good book (Dr. Hegg, if you are reading this, please don't fail me in your class) I enjoyed reading about the overall process of ordination and what commitments go into it. The Appendix in the back is handy and lists other books on preaching. I like the amount of detail Dr. Hegg describes on how the process of Ordination works. The book is very useful for anyone who is curious and/or interested in becoming a preacher.
October 2, 2017
A great work that checks a man to see if he would be best suited to the public. It is thought-provoking and a good wake up call and reality check to those who might have a “fantastical” view of pastoral ministry or a timid mind regarding the pulpit.
November 19, 2020
This book is helpful for anyone wanting to read about or prepare for the ordination process beginning pastoral ministry—which if that’s your purpose for reading, this is a helpful tool; other than that, the first two chapters are good.
February 19, 2017
"A strong case can be made that we presently have too many men in pastoral ministry; too many who have taken the mantle of leadership upon themselves without having been selected and formed by God for that purpose." (pg. 23)
"Isn't it about time that we expected more from those who would stand before us as God's ministers?" (pg. 51)
When is the last time you read anything like the two statements above? Following the lead of such great men as Charles Spurgeon and Richard Baxter, David W. Hegg displays a holy zeal to protect the office of the pastor. In his book Appointed to Preach: Assessing a Call to Ministry (a recent re-release from Christian Focus Publications), Hegg raises the bar for pastoral ministry and recovers the lost art of a thorough ordination process.
An experienced pastor who serves on the regional ordination council of his denomination, Hegg has seen the good and the bad when it comes to ordinations. Too often, the process becomes an empty formality or an opportunity for cranky old men to ridicule a youngster in public. Avoiding either extreme, Hegg envisions ordination as a careful and slow process whereby unworthy candidates for ministry are weeded out and faithful men of God approved and affirmed to their calling.
The book addresses the role of ordination, the character qualities the Bible expects of a pastor, and the path for a man seeking ordination. Wise advice is given both to aspiring ministers and those who would seat the ordination council. A blueprint is also furnished that can be adapted to fit the particulars of a variety of conservative denominations. A helpful appendix of recommended reading rounds out this handy volume.
At a mere 154 pages, the book can be read in one sitting. Yet Hegg's practical wisdom and insightful comments deserve more extended reflection. Useful as a handbook for all involved in the ordination process, it also offers a wake-up call to the church at large. How we view the pastoral task matters both for how we practice ordination and how well our churches are pastored. We need faithful men behind our sacred desks. May many men and churches be blessed through the counsel David W. Hegg shares in this book. I recommend this book highly.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by Christian Focus Publications for review. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
"Isn't it about time that we expected more from those who would stand before us as God's ministers?" (pg. 51)
When is the last time you read anything like the two statements above? Following the lead of such great men as Charles Spurgeon and Richard Baxter, David W. Hegg displays a holy zeal to protect the office of the pastor. In his book Appointed to Preach: Assessing a Call to Ministry (a recent re-release from Christian Focus Publications), Hegg raises the bar for pastoral ministry and recovers the lost art of a thorough ordination process.
An experienced pastor who serves on the regional ordination council of his denomination, Hegg has seen the good and the bad when it comes to ordinations. Too often, the process becomes an empty formality or an opportunity for cranky old men to ridicule a youngster in public. Avoiding either extreme, Hegg envisions ordination as a careful and slow process whereby unworthy candidates for ministry are weeded out and faithful men of God approved and affirmed to their calling.
The book addresses the role of ordination, the character qualities the Bible expects of a pastor, and the path for a man seeking ordination. Wise advice is given both to aspiring ministers and those who would seat the ordination council. A blueprint is also furnished that can be adapted to fit the particulars of a variety of conservative denominations. A helpful appendix of recommended reading rounds out this handy volume.
At a mere 154 pages, the book can be read in one sitting. Yet Hegg's practical wisdom and insightful comments deserve more extended reflection. Useful as a handbook for all involved in the ordination process, it also offers a wake-up call to the church at large. How we view the pastoral task matters both for how we practice ordination and how well our churches are pastored. We need faithful men behind our sacred desks. May many men and churches be blessed through the counsel David W. Hegg shares in this book. I recommend this book highly.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by Christian Focus Publications for review. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
December 21, 2014
What a focused, helpful volume. I am in the midst of preparing for ordination in an independent, non-denominational church. We are not very involved with our church fellowship, so this book was a great help to me in thinking through what is and should be required of me, as well as what is and should be required of the ordination council.
Very simply, the book is divided into two parts, the first dealing with the call of the pastor, the second dealing very practically with a suggested, detailed "how-to" of the actual ordination process.
Last, the appendix gives a somewhat dated and fairly brief suggested reading list. Highly recommended for ordainees and ordainers!
Very simply, the book is divided into two parts, the first dealing with the call of the pastor, the second dealing very practically with a suggested, detailed "how-to" of the actual ordination process.
Last, the appendix gives a somewhat dated and fairly brief suggested reading list. Highly recommended for ordainees and ordainers!
September 2, 2014
Nothing particularly special, but definitely helpful. Just a clear and useful book on the purpose of ordination and the process of ordination.
July 29, 2015
Good, concise, and helpful. Overviews the whole concept of ordination and provides some helpful material for candidates and councils.
Read
July 11, 2024Great treatment of ordination. Felt a bit repetitive at times, but probably the only book on ordination that a group of elders would need to read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews