The Pastor as Leader: Principles and Practices for Connecting Preaching and Leadership

by John Currie, Sinclair B. Ferguson (Foreword)

Practical, Biblical Advice for Effective Pastoral Leadership

Many pastors feel torn between preaching and leading, but both responsibilities are essential. Without faithful exposition of Scripture, churches risk straying theologically. Without strong leadership, teaching lacks spiritual zeal. How can pastors find balance and steward their calling effectively?

In  The Pastor as Leader , John Currie equips pastors to be men of God who competently carry out their leading God’s people through the preaching of God’s word. Recognizing a common disconnect between the roles of preaching and leadership, Currie offers foundational principles for pastoring “under Christ’s appointment, conformed to Christ’s character, which exemplifies and implements Christ’s wisdom, preached from Christ’s word.” By integrating two primary roles of the pastorate, readers will learn how to faithfully and confidently proclaim the Scriptures as they communicate biblical vision and strategy for the church’s mission.

Genres: Leadership, Theology, Nonfiction, Church Ministry, Church

240 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2024

Reviews

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good primer on leadership as it relates to a preaching-centric ministry common in Bible churches and conservative Reformed churches. Only limitation I would note is a lack of engagement with navigating challenges or problems that are common: lack of able and available people to whom to delegate, the role of managed services in the administration of the church organization, and the unique issues in church-planting. But the principles expounded here are good. There was a surprising amount of citation of Timothy Keller’s materials. Also, lots of WTS worthies - Ferguson, Murray, Gaffin, Vos, etc.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. Maybe I haven’t given it a fair shake. But there is nothing particularly new or special here. The author puts most of the actual meat in the footnotes, to the point where the majority of the content is at the bottom of the page, over-explaining everything at the top. Further, many of his sentences are meandering and I couldn’t find the end of them, at times. A further personal opinion is that his constant alliteration and repetition of prepositional phrases for rhetorical effect grated on my mind. He would string together a bunch of these phrases and by the third item in the list, I would give up on finishing the sentence.

The content is good—hence the 3-star review. I will have to read this again. Maybe I will appreciate it more at a second glance.

[Andrew Canavan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few Christian leadership books are sensitive to the uniqueness of Reformed theology and Presbyterian polity. Fewer (if any) are firmly rooted in a redemptive-historical approach to Scripture. This book is both and brings these wonderful truths into fruitful conversation with the best thinking on leadership. Pastors, elders, and other church leaders will all benefit from this timely take on the centrality of preaching that brings about concrete transformation in the church.

[Joshua Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for Pastors! It connected the Pastor as a preacher to the Pastor as a leader. It’s not an either or.

I found myself jotting down some really good quotes from this book. Here were a few I found convicting and helpful!

“ pastoral leadership as “the process where, for the glory of God, a man of God, appointed by the Son of God and empowered by the Spirit of God, proclaims the word of God so that the people of God are equipped to move forward into the purposes of God together.” (p.46)


“As the success of preaching is not owing to the learning or eloquence of the organ by which the Word is proclaimed, but on the blessing of a sovereign God, we have good ground to expect, that in common those ministers who most abound in prayer, will see most fruit of their ministry. . . . The preacher of the gospel should rise to the pulpit from his knees, and should descend to his knees again from the sacred desk. . . . To study your sermons well is highly important; but to be enabled to pray with sufficient earnestness and importunity is [most] important.(p.80-81)

“We shall lose all our labour bestowed upon plowing, sowing, and watering, unless the increase come from heaven. . . . Therefore, it shall not suffice to take great pains in teaching, unless we require the blessing at the hands of the Lord, that our labour may not be in vain and unfruitful. Hereby it appeareth that the exercise of prayer is not in vain commended unto the ministers of the word.” (p.117)

[Stephen Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Currie contributes to the understanding of the pastor’s role and ministry by encouraging expositional preaching as the primary ministry from which all of the other ministries of the pastor and the church flows. Currie crafts his insights based on Scripture but incorporates his pastoral experience and insights from pastors in church history. Two helpful chapters were “The Power for a Man of God” which discussed the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of the pastor and “The Example of the Man of God” which discussed Christlike character of the pastor.

[Peter Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is essential reading for every pastor, and for those training for the ministry. It is also helpful for church elders and other leaders so that they can see the biblical model for pastoral leadership.
It is not a "how to" book, nor are there seven steps to ministry success. Instead, it is a biblical model for pastoral leadership, very challenging and very helpful.

[Caleb Purdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful and practical book that points towards preaching being the key to pastoral leadership. There is nothing revolutionary about this book, but I think that is what makes it great. Currie concisely says what pastors of our time need to hear, that a pastor cannot faithfully lead if he is not faithfully preaching.

[Andrew Krom · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The fundamental premise of this book is that preaching is leadership because Christ the King leads his church through the proclamation of his word by the servants he has sent." (187)

Helpful, easy to read book showing that preaching is leadership! Much of Currie's philosophy of ministry overlapped with what I learned at Cedarville.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second book on this topic, leading through preaching. And while the ground has been well covered this book does help us see how to better do this. There were many good nuggets that I will use in the future.

[Jake Baur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful. A lot to chew on. The academic style is a bit pretentious (especially considering how practical of a book it’s meant to be), but I am taking a lot away from it and feel freshly empowered to lead through preaching.

[Peter LeDuc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling case that while pastors should prioritize preaching, they should not neglect strategic leadership or see it as contrary to their calling.

[Matthew Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful!

[Noah Buresh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am definitely more skeptical when it comes to leadership books, but Currie helped me recognize that being a pastor-leader isn't a sacred/secular paradox. The preached word actually leads a congregation toward maturity in Christ, and pastors need to be strategic as they lead through the Word.

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pastoral ministry is a grind. Ask any pastor and he will tell you about long weeks, challenging scenarios, critical congregants, and a plethora of problems that occur on a regular basis. Pastors are often lulled into succumbing to the tyranny of the urgent. As a result, the most important things slide into oblivion. John Currie addresses the unnecessary disconnect between preaching and leadership in pastoral ministry his book, The Pastor as Leader.

In part one, the author sets forth principles that help establish the groundwork for a strong pastoral ministry. He argues, “Pastoral leadership is the process where, for the glory of God, a man of God, appointed by the Son of God and empowered by the Spirit of God, proclaims the word of God so that the people of God are equipped to move forward into the purposes of God together.” Currie focuses on the pastor’s mission, leadership, being empowered by the Holy Spirit, and demonstrating Christ-like character.

In part two, Currie sets his sights on the practices of God-centered pastors. He explores the importance of prayer, leadership, communicating biblical vision, and biblical strategy.

Since pastors generally live with an unhealthy disconnect between preaching and leadership, some choose one over the other. The ones who neglect leadership miss out on shepherding opportunities and jettison one of the critical aspects of the ministry. But the ones who neglect leadership, fail to take preaching seriously and leave the flock malnourished. The Pastor as Leader helps establish the biblical priorities in a way that is both encouraging and motivating. Pastors will be wise to pay close attention to the wealth of information in this timely book.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

[Nate Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book but not an exceptional one. This is not meant as an insult, but rather, is indicative that it doesn't present new information as much as it constructs known information in a systematic or logical format. The overall message and emphasis is to coordinate the preacher's priorities and to reveal that there is inherent leadership qualities that will be used and displayed in those functions.

Like I said, it is an excellent book for consideration but let it serve more as an encouragement to continue in one's efforts or to convict towards a new perspective or methodology.

"If a pastor doesn't understand his identity and calling as a leader, that will disable not only his leadership but also his preaching, because he will lack holy zeal to take anyone anywhere with what he says. If he assumes the responsibility to lead without an immovable conviction of the primacy of biblical preaching, he will put the church at risk of being driven by voices other than the chief shepherd's." (3)

[Conrad Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pastor as Leader by John Currie is a modern classic—biblical, practical, and helpfully concise. The author offers the biblical vision of pastoral ministry that shows how preaching and leadership are inextricably linked. At the outset of the book, he makes the purpose clear: “The Pastor as Leader seeks to equip pastors to effectively steward their responsibilities as leaders in Christ’s cause while being unashamedly committed to preaching as the primary means by which Christ extends his church’s mission in the world.” (pg. I)

This book serves as a strong encouragement to fulfill the call to preach the Word (2 Tim. 4:2) and shepherd the flock of God (1 Pet. 5:2). I was so encouraged through reading this book and will return to it for many years to come. You will be well served and encouraged by reading The Pastor as Leader.

[Tyler Hurst · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept and much of the content of the book.
- Preaching as leadership, good concept,
- Agree with the need for faithfulness and strategy,
- Agree with the critique on pragmatism,

I think the book lacked:
- A discussion about technology, preaching to a podcast or multi-cite changes how preaching and leadership go together,
- A discussion of elders and plurality and leadership, it is in there, but it needs to be more robust,

Other thoughts:
- This is the kind of book I think I would write. Intended to be practical and focused on an important subject, but overly verbose and academic with crazy long definitions.
- I completely agree with the project here, but I don't really know how to do it after finishing the book.

3/5

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thoughtful, Scriptural, Reformed feast of counsel for the modern but timeless pastor. Currie has a lot of wisdom, and he draws from the best sources. He wants pastors to be men of God, steeped in the Word, filled by the Spirit.

I could only give four books because the book is a bit too theoretical; it's not always clear how Currie envisions his material to be applied. But that could be overcome, because the work is probably best digested in a discussion group among elders, other pastors, a presbytery, etc. There would be great gain in such an endeavor.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are quite a few leadership books out there. Lead like Peter. Lead like Nehemiah. Lead like Jesus. This is not one of those, but is more so a call for pastors to be leaders. And not to do it by putting themselves in 1 million different programs, but to do it from the pulpit. It is an expository verse by verse. But to do it from the pulpit. It is a call to expository verse by verse solid preaching. It is also a reminder that leadership for the pastor should be servant leadership, which includes love, prayer, and being there for your people.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! This accessible work shows how a pastor’s expositional preaching ministry is the best way to lead the church, cast vision through the preached Word, and mature the saints for ministry. The author admits the late Harry Reeder was a big influence on his thinking and it shows in some great (and memorable) alliteration of many key points. I would argue this is a must-read for pastors who are committed to expository preaching but are suspicious of many books on ‘leadership’.

[Zach Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work by John Currie addresses a serious need in pastoral theology - leadership. However, he does so by wedding the bread and butter of the pastor (preaching) to the essential task of leading the congregation into a faithful expression of the kingdom of God in a particular time and place. Currie casts a vision of faithful pulpit ministry that has both backbone and vision.

Full of concrete application, pastors will be able to immediately apply this book in their own contexts.

[Alan Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pastor as Leader is a great book that challengers pastors to use their pulpit for the guiding and directing of the saints. This book is unique in that it is neither purely a work on leadership, nor is it a work on preaching. Instead, I helpfully examines the intersect of the two. I highly recommend this book.

[Derek Fekkes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps partly due to the fact that I agreed with most of this book, I didn’t find much that stood out or led to deep reflection. The overarching principle that a pastor leads first and foremost through preaching, and everything else is downstream of that is a good one, and appreciated the reminder of that.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that connects the priority of the word ministry of the pastor to his leadership in the church. The most helpful chapters were: leading with biblical vision, leading with strategy, and leading others into service. Would recommend this to any pastoral team desiring to grow in their leadership in the church.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has lots of good reminders to allow the God-ordained elements of pastoral ministry -- prayer and preaching -- to be central in ministry. In particular, Currie focuses on how pastors can lead by faithfully preaching. Many of these chapters stimulated good thoughts as well as notes hastily scribbled down on bits of paper. Thanks, Pastor Currie!

[Derek Woodall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on Pastoral Ministry. There is often a perceived divorce between the preaching of the Word and Pastoral leadership. Currie re-marries them with support from Scripture. "The Pastor as Leader" is both theological and practical. There are a lot of books on ministry and leadership out there but this one is worth it.

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Reformed view of the pastorate that integrates pastoral leadership with the primary responsibilities of prayer and the ministry of the word.

This book read like an applied theology course at Westminster Theological Seminary.

[Tom Heasman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on leadership I’ve read in a while. Really appreciated emphasis on leading through preaching, and final three chapters on Vision / Strategy / Equipping were excellent - so often lacking in decent Christian leadership books. Really valued it.

[Erik Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. Challenging, encouraging, inspiring. Got stronger as it went along. I especially appreciated his Word-centered approaches to vision and strategy. Really helpful.

[John Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best pastoral leadership books I’ve ever read.