5 Things: A Practical Guide to Preaching, Ministry & A Pastor's Personal Life

by Brad Whitt

—ABOUT THE Pastoral ministry is a high calling—and a hard one. Each week brings sermons to prepare, people to shepherd, and the challenge of balancing personal life with public leadership. Without practical tools, even the most gifted leaders can lose focus or burn out. Five A Practical Guide to Preaching, Ministry & a Pastor’s Personal Life offers the help pastors need most. With 52 short, actionable chapters—one for each week of the year—Dr. Brad Whitt delivers essential “how-tos” for preaching, leadership, and personal well-being. Each chapter highlights five key practices to bring clarity where there's confusion and direction where there's drift.Drawing from years of experience in rural, suburban, and multi-site churches, Whitt writes with the wisdom of a pastor who’s lived it. Put one chapter into practice each week, and by year’s end, you’ll have a stronger foundation for faithful, fruitful ministry. Whether you’re just starting out or seeking renewed strength, Five Things will help you focus on what matters most—and finish well. Simple. Biblical. Practical. That’s the power of Five Things.


—ABOUT THE Dr. Brad Whitt has a deep passion for reaching people for Jesus Christ, which is evident in both his preaching and the growth of the Abilene Baptist Church family. Since 1996, Dr. Whitt has served as pastor in churches across Tennessee, Ohio, and South Carolina, before joining Abilene Baptist Church in 2012. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Union University, a Master of Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a PhD from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2010, Dr. Whitt served as president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention’s Pastors’ Conference and has been an active leader on various committees and boards within the Southern Baptist Convention. He is also the author of Rooted, 40 Days of Refreshment, and Amazing Stories of Faith. Dr. Whitt is married to his high school sweetheart, Kim, and together they have four Laura Kate, Jackson, Benjamin, and Jonathan.


—ABOUT THE Innovo Publishing LLC is a Christian publisher located near Memphis, TN. Since 2008, Innovo has been publishing quality books, eBooks, audiobooks, music, screenplays, film, and online and physical curricula that support the Great Commission, equip believers, and help create a positive Christian worldview. Innovo's capabilities and global reach provide Christian authors, artists, and ministries access to the world for Christ. To learn more about Innovo Publishing, visit our website at innovopublishing.com. To connect with other Christian Creatives and to learn best practices for creating, publishing, marketing, and selling Christian titles, visit the Christian Publishing Portal at cpportal.com.

228 pages, Paperback

Published August 4, 2026