The Preacher's Portrait: Some New Testament Word Studies

by John R.W. Stott

Stott takes a fresh look at some of the words used in the New Testament to describe the preacher and his task in order to gain a clearer view of God's revealed ideal for the preacher-what he is and how he is to do his work.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Leadership, Christian

132 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 1964

About the author

John R. W. Stott is known worldwide as a preacher, evangelist, and communicator of Scripture. For many years he served as rector of All Souls Church in London, where he carried out an effective urban pastoral ministry. A leader among evangelicals in Britain, the United States and around the world, Stott was a principal framer of the landmark Lausanne Covenant (1974). His many books, including Why I Am a Christian and The Cross of Christ, have sold millions of copies around the world and in dozens of languages. Whether in the West or in the Two-Thirds World, a hallmark of Stott's ministry has been expository preaching that addresses the hearts and minds of contemporary men and women. Stott was honored by Time magazine in 2005 as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World."

Reviews

[Matt Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Preacher’s Portrait looks a lot like a simple word study on the words used for the guy behind the pulpit. It is so much more than that. It shows how the preacher has so much required of himself. It is all an outpouring of his love for his people. As he prepares, it is a labor of love. There is a consistency whether it be in sermon or counseling. Essential for the pastor-teacher-elder.

[Patrick Lacson · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Stott was a gift to the church. I've benefited greatly from his magnum opus, The Cross of Christ. I recently discovered this book, The Preacher's Portrait, only because it is mentioned in every one of my favorite preacher's "must read" lists. It's surprisingly short but incredibly penetrating. He provides 5 metaphors that describe the preacher: steward, herald, witness, father, and servant. Clearly, these metaphors are not exhaustive since the NT also uses other metaphors like shepherd, leader, soldier, farmer, mother, for the role of the preacher.

In a book this size, he does not talk about exegesis, hermeneutics, or homiletics and delivery. Instead, he leads the reader to what God wants the preacher to be like. If you are a man called to preach God's Word, make this the first book you read.

[Ricardo Daglio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendo. Stott hace una trabajo magistral a través de las palabras griegas que representan la labor de un predicador a través de todo el Nuevo Testamento. Es una combinación perfecta entre exégesis y aplicación con una definida exhortación provechosa en su mayor expresión, para los que acostumbran a enseñar las Escrituras públicamente. Las imágenes del predicador son completamente motivadoras y escudriñan a fondo la motivación de quienes sostienen que han sido llamados a la tarea de enseñar la Palabra de Dios. Recomiendo este libro para que sea leído lo más a menudo posible, considerando el hecho de que cualquier desaliento o convicción de pecado que produzca su lectura no será en vano si esta logra inducir el cambio necesario en el predicador a fin de que su ministerio se asemeje cada vez más al de un Administrador, un Heraldo, un Testigo, un Padre o un Siervo. Quiera el Espíritu Santo, que exalta a Cristo enviado del Padre, darnos un completo panorama a pesar de nuestra naturaleza caída para que, aún así, se haga más evidente que el poder y la gloria eterna es para Dios aquí y siempre.

[Rev Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book as a must read for anyone who is going into a pastoral or preaching ministry. It is short and easy to get through, so any who wishes to preach can breeze through it with ease, but the information held within the pages is priceless. Stott calls on the preacher to see that his authority and power rests not in clearly worded phrases, stirring illustrations, or a strong background in languages. The power of the preacher is found in the foolishness of the cross. He draws the preacher away from images that would exalt or inflate the pride of the pastor and reminds us that we are nothing but dads and servants. We are faceless heralds delivering the message of the King. I need to remind myself that my authority is not found in my skill to exegete passages but in my reliance on the Spirit and my commitment to the simple message of the cross. May all of our preachers dwell on the humility of Calvary as the world calls us to leave behind the Gospel for the causes of the day.

[Richard Angelus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book like this must be read with a pen and paper at hand. When Stott writes, I better listen. His writings, especially a superb commentary on 2 Timothy, have been parts of God's instruments that changed my life and draw me closer to the God of the Bible and quench my thirst for His Word. Stott writes clearly (not as an academic scholar but as a loving "Uncle John"), biblically (or should I say, exegetically), and humbly (in the preface he reminds his readers, "I do not pose as an expert, I am far from it").

Yes, I realize some controversies surrounding Stott during his lifetime and even after he died in 2011. Most are false, some are questionable, one or two are plausible. I admire Stott but never in my right mind believe what he wrote is infallible. I echo what Peter said to the Lord Jesus Christ, "You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). Only Jesus and His words are infallible - and inerrant.

When Stott was asked during an interview, "What do you believe about the state of preaching today?" Without a pause, he said, "Miserable!" To read my review, CLICK HERE: https://legasitv.blogspot.com/2021/02...

[John Damon Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully edifying treatment of the different aspects in the office of the preacher: steward, herald, witness, father, and servant.
The late Reverend Stott biblically argues for the supernatural duties of what too often are taken to be mundane. His section especially on heralding the gospel will stay in the back of my mind for a time to come. Stott's method made me quite proud to also be a part of the Evangelical Anglican tradition. Here he is evangelical in the most literal sense: being gospel centered, biblically founded, rooted in tradition and drawing widely from the best of other traditions.

[Clara Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stott uses five metaphor to speak of a preacher. The first is a steward who has "been given the task of feeding the household of God." Herald "who proclaim what got has done." Witness "which is borne (by the Father to the Son before the world) through the Holy Spirit." Father "are concerned about their relationship with the family, the people to whom they are ministering the word." Last a Servant who service will be lost "if the Lord does not work powerfully through them to create faith in those who hear the word."

[Daniel Kingsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scott intends this to be 5 wordstudies that help illuminate the role of a preacher. He has a lot of great things to say but 50% of them come from scripture the other 50% are his thoughts on the stated word. This becomes especially sticky when he is describing the preacher as a witness. Because he then states that primarily Jesus is on trial before the world and we are call to witness in his defense. There are plenty of good tidbits throughout but would not recommend the book on the whole.

[Per Sigve · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorit book on preaching. Short but great.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. The kind of book that I (and every pastor) should read regularly, every couple of years at the very least.

[Jon R. Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very brief presentation of the Preacher as Steward, Herald, Witness, Father, and Servant.

[Ryan Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, short book looking at what it means that a preacher is a steward, herald, witness, father, and servant. It’s John Stott on preaching, so you know it’s good.

[Mello]

loved it!

At one point or another I found the interpretation of Bible passages a bit far-fetched.
However, the basic statements are well-founded and motivating.

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book for pastors written by one of the clearest evangelical authors of the last 50 years. Stott is a careful exegete whose writings are filled with love for Christ and His church. In this book he walks through five different Biblical words that describe a preacher: Steward, herald, witness, father and servant. The section on the preacher as father was the most convicting for me. I would highly recommend this book to all ministers and those training for ministry.

My Rating System
1 Star-Terrible book and dangerous. Burn it in the streets.

2 Stars-Really bad book, would not recommend, probably has some dangerous ideas in it or could just be so poorly written/researched that it is not worth reading. Few books I read are 1 or 2 stars because I am careful about what I read.

3 Stars-Either I disagree with it at too many points to recommend it or it is just not a good book on the subject or for the genre. Would not read it again, reference it, or recommend it. But it is not necessarily dangerous except as a time waster.

4 Stars-Solid book on the subject or for the genre. This does not mean I agree with everything in it. I would recommend this book to others and would probably read it again or reference it. Most books fall in this category because I try not to read books I don’t think will be good. There is a quite a variety here. 3.6 is pretty far from 4.5.

5 Stars-Excellent book. Classic in the genre or top of the line for the subject. I might also put a book in here that impacted me personally at the time I read it. I would highly recommend this book, even if I do not agree with all that it says. Few books fall in this category. Over time I have put less in this category.

[Aaron Downs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stott develops the qualities of a biblical preacher by examining the different roles that a preacher takes on: steward, herald, witness, Father, and servant. I don’t think that these roles should be separated to be weighed to determine which ones are more important or which ones are less important. Instead, I think there is value in pursuing growth in all areas to paint a full picture of a biblical preacher. However, clearly defining these roles is helpful, at least to me, because it allows me to see which areas I am more gifted and grown in, and which areas I need to pursue with more intensity. This book helps men to recognize their strengths and weakness, giving them the ability to lean into their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses.

This book was helpful because it clearly identifies the role of the preacher, and it identifies those roles through the lens of Scripture. Not only does it identify the roles, it show what those roles look like in the life of the preacher.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful book for a pastor to gain his bearings on what is important in ministry. An easy, but thought provoking read.

[Seth Channell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book twice it is so good.

[Daniel Piva · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very helpful on showing the pastor as a kind of father taking care of the children of God.
Very biblical.