The Power of the Call

by Henry T. Blackaby, Kenny Skinner, Kerry L. Skinner

Whether you find yourself on the verge of burnout or simply need someone to fan the flames of your faith, take time to experience afresh The Power of the Call. This practical and uplifting guide takes a biblically sound and realistic look at how God provides fully for every need a pastor, or anyone called into the ministry, will face. And it reminds us that success in a church is not what we think it is; it's what God thinks it is.

Genres: Leadership

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 1997

Reviews

[James Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get Back To The Basics
Blackaby and Brandt have written a book to allow pastors to reflect on the call of God in their lives. The purpose of this reflection is to get back to the basics, the main reasons; the pastor entered the ministry in the first place. Thereby, the pastor should renew his commitment to his original call from God. Perhaps the best chapter in the book is the last. Here Blackaby exegetes John 17. In doing so he gives twenty-six marks of spiritual leadership. To summarize the twenty-six marks, the pastor’s ministry must also be gauged by the leadership he brings to his people. A great book on spiritual leadership.

[RyLee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book actually has great content. It is good for the minister or leader in order to make sure that their hearts are in alignment with the Word because it presents the biblical standards for the leader and helps you realize in what areas you need to grow. Though I don't feel that the title conveys that, it is really clear that their goal was to help leaders who find themselves "depressed, discouraged, and burned out" so that they can continue to follow God's call on their lives. I also didn't feel that the chapter titles conveyed exactly the topic they were focusing on in each chapter, but the content itself was pretty good.

[Daniel Arter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not a huge fan of Blackaby to begin with, but this book isn’t primarily written by Blackaby. Henry Brandt does the majority of the writing and Blackaby just makes comments after.

This book, despite its name does not spend much time discussing God’s call to ministry. Rather, it spends most of its time discussing what biblical leadership looks like in general. Don’t expect a book concerning what it means to be called or anything like that.

[KELLEY STANLEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful Book On Being Called

This book lays out God's mission for us as he sends us on assignment. I recommend this book to those to read and take notes on when they believe God is calling them to the ministry.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely worth reading, but be prepared that you may experience dejavu...some of the chapters are simple restating the same idea a different way, when you got it the first time.

Frankly, Blackaby's sections are great. Brandt is combative, and appears to list all negative emotions in the sinful category (excuse me, but I'm pretty sure Jesus was without sin and named anger, sadness, and had depression symptoms at Gethsemane!)

Major theme is repentance...and rightness with God. Blackaby gives some great ministry insights here. Like I said...worth a read as a pastor or ministry staff person.

One more word of caution - if you are feeling burned out, this book is a good read...but don't expect the authors to identify or empathize with you...cause it doesn't appear they've ever experienced such emotions. However, they will give you sound counsel on how to have sustainable ministry in the long run.