The New Pastor's Handbook: Help and Encouragement for the First Years of Ministry

by Jason Helopoulos

Start your ministry off strong--and smart

If you're like most new pastors, you will suddenly realize in your first years of ministry that you are not prepared for many of the practical aspects of your calling. The New Pastor's Handbook is your guide to navigating these unfamiliar waters. With his hard-won wisdom, pastor Jason Helopoulos comes alongside you as a trusted friend and mentor to help and encourage you through your first years of ministry. He'll show you how to

· start out strong at a new church
· persevere during difficult seasons of ministry
· lead meetings and delegate tasks
· safeguard your family
· fight discouragement, pastor envy, and a lack of contentment
· navigate special ministry needs, such as hospital visits, weddings, and funerals
· and much more

Genres: Leadership, Christian, Theology, Church, Christian Living, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2015

About the author

Jason was born in the “Land of Lincoln,” central Illinois. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1999. Jason then attended Dallas Theological Seminary and completed a Masters of Theology degree (ThM) with a concentration in Historical Theology and Christian Education in 2003. He served on the staff of Park Cities Presbyterian Church as a pastoral intern for one year and then accepted a call as an Assistant Pastor at Meadowview Reformed Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Lexington, North Carolina. In the fall of 2007, Jason was called by Christ Church PCA in Grand Rapids, Michigan to plant a daughter church in Lansing, Michigan. He accepted the call and moved to the field (and snow) as church planter and pastored Providence PCA in East Lansing until 2012. In the summer of 2012, Jason accepted the call as Assistant Pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan and accepted the call to Senior Pastor in the spring of 2018.

Jason is married to his beautiful bride, Leah. They are blessed with two wonderful children, Gracen and Ethan.

He enjoys spending time with his family, history, reading, laughing, watching a good Chicago Bears’ game (as rare as they are), and feasting upon Chicago-style pizza.

Reviews

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is "wow." Jason Helopoulos has accomplished a rare feat in this book. He has combined a unified, thoughtful, soul-searching, historically aware, and biblically orthodox treatment of pastoral ministry with readability, terseness of expression, and appropriate applications to the situation of modern Western pastors. I read this book right now because I am a "new pastor" in my "first years of ministry." But I cannot imagine that this book would not be helpful to seasoned/veteran ministers. In this respect, the book is similar to Charlie Wingard's more recent, "Help for the New Pastor: Practical Advice for Your First Year of Ministry," which is more focused on particular 'nuts and bolts' issues.

Helopoulos divides his book's 48 brief (two-to-four pages, generally) chapters into five parts (exclusive of very short intro and conclusion chapters). The first two sections tie together some initial considerations for young ministers and candidates for the ministry framed around matters of vocation and entering into the ministry. The concluding section is a "high-note ending" celebrating some of the unique joys of pastoral ministry. Sandwiched in the middle are two meaty sections detailing practical advice (i.e., encouragements) for ministry, and common pitfalls of young ministers just entering into the ministry. The chapters that most stuck out to me at this time (either for myself or for my interns and colleagues) were:
- 7, about starting in church planting
- 9, about being focused on internalizing the content of the English Bible early on in one's ministry
- 20, about listening
- 24, about suffering in silence, being unconcerned for immediate/quick vindication of self
- 30, on hospital visitations; Helopoulos shares a moving account from his time as an intern, and this illustration nearly brought me to tears
- 35 and 36, about striking a balance between the extremes of taking yourself (i.e., your personal importance/significance) too seriously and not taking yourself (i.e., your calling) seriously enough.
- 46, about the privilege, joy, and honor of being a confidant to your people

All in all, this is a must-read book for ministers young/new and old/veteran. Together with a few other books, I will make this required reading for any interns at my church, and I will plan on gifting copies of this book to new ministers (or candidates) in my Presbytery.

[Bob O'Bannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do we really need another book on pastoral ministry? Well, when the book is this good, the answer is yes. Helopolous treads familiar territory with such fresh insight and warm encouragement that the book becomes useful for much more than just the “first years of ministry.” As other pastors have said, I wish I could have read this when my ministry was in its early years. But thankfully I can benefit from it now!

At the same time, familiar topics are not the only subject matter here — Helopolous also deals with some issues common to pastoral ministry but not always addressed, such as how to talk to people on Sunday mornings, avoiding gimmicks, the call to “silent suffering” when criticized, leading meetings, the temptation to seek out fans of your ministry, maintaining the simplicity of ministry, the temptation to envy other pastors, and being thankful for the privilege of serving in Gospel ministry.

“Every night we should go to bed with thanksgiving that God has allowed weak men such as us to labor on the front lines of his eternal kingdom. What a joy! What a privilege!” (p.191).

[Saolomon Mouacheupao · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

This book was overall helpful. Nothing revolutionary, but daily pieces of encouragement that rang true as a new pastor. Perhaps I might come back and rate it higher as I continue to read other works on pastoral ministry.

[Craig Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

If 35-40% of men leave the ministry in the first five years and 60-80% are out after ten, then saying “seminary didn’t teach you everything” is more than a trite observation – it is a sobering reality. Not intended as a dig towards seminary, this observation tells us not of the failings of formal education (its intent is not to do for the church what the church is to do itself) but of the failure of churches to prepare their own ministers for ministry itself.

Everyone in ministry can look back to their college and seminary days and think of at least one person who left the ministry soon after entering. Ministry is hard and “perseverance in the ministry is a struggle.” How does the church, and other pastors specifically, help to come along side new ministers of the gospel so as to better prepare them for the road ahead? How can we prepare men to serve and persevere in ministry who have just spent years persevering through seminary in order to serve the church?

Associate pastor of University Reformed Church Jason Helopoulos has sought to do just this in his new book The New Pastor’s Handbook: Help and Encouragement for the First Years of Ministry (2015, Baker Books). In 49 short chapters, Jason draws on ten years of pastoral ministry from three ministries and shares with new and to-be-new pastors the nuts and bolts to surviving the early years of pastoral ministry.

Not every new pastor has had someone to come along side of them during their educational years and prepare them for the challenges of ministry that lay ahead. Not every Titus has a Paul in ministry. While a book can never replace a Paul in ones life, Jason’s words of wisdom can bring guidance and clarity to a hard calling.

In the span of 200 pages, Jason scratches the surface on a multitude of ministry issues and challenges that new pastors are either unaware of or do not know how to handle on their own. In the shortness of each chapter Jason gets to the heart of each issues he addresses. Covering everything from how to handle your first position as a youth or senior pastor, fulfilling the Biblical requirements of a pastor, thinking through the various aspects of how to minister to people, and how to think biblically about ones calling, Jason opens the readers mind to the demanding and joyful responsibility every pastor has to Christ and His body.

To give readers a sense of the wisdom Jason offers, here are some words of wisdom from the book:

1. On candidating for a church – “If you are married, be sure to state your own view regarding the role of your wife in the congregation.” (35)

2. On men fresh out of seminary thinking of taking a senior pastor position – “Young pastors need to heavily weigh their ability to handle these responsibilities when deciding whether to take such a call.” (40)

3. On the simplicity of ministry – “It is nothing more than Christ, loving his people, and loving the Word.” (58)

4. On knowing Scripture for ministry – “If you don’t know the Word and aren’t willing to work at it, then you should find another vocation.” (63)

5. On your wife in your ministry – “Everyone should know – and your wife first of all – that you expect nothing more from her in the service of the church than you would expect from any other woman in the congregation.” (69

6. On the pastor and personal holiness – “There are few things more important in the life of the church then the holiness of its pastors.” (79)

7. On equipping the saints – “We are failing if our ministry does not equip the saints and provide them with the opportunity to use their gifts.” (88)

8. On vacations – “Not taking your vacation days isn’t a sign of godliness; it is a sign of foolishness.” (109)

9. On ‘interruptions’ – “There are no interruptions in ministry, only God-ordained providential opportunities.” (126)

10. On discontentment – “When discontentment takes hold, faithfulness usually fades.” (162)

The New Pastor’s Handbook is a great place to start for new ministry leaders in all sorts of positions but it will especially bring guidance and wisdom to those in the pastorate. This is a book that needs to be handed out to every aspiring pastor along with diploma their diploma as they walk the graduation stage. We need more books like this!

I received this book for free from Baker Books for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Bill Forgeard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and encouraging. Plenty of common sense and gospel wisdom in one place, well packaged in 48 short chapters. You couldn't go wrong in buying this as a gift for someone new in pastoral ministry (or in a new role).

[Drake Hyman · Rating 2 out of 5]

My main issue with this book is that its chapters are actually too short. Each idea is given only 2-4 pages, and there isn't much in the way of storytelling or profound illustrations to make much of what Helopolous says very memorable. There are a few striking stories, such as his hospital visits to a woman without arms and legs that taught him the importance of that ministry, but they are few and far between. I much preferred H.B. Charles' book On Pastoring, which is the exact same type of book, covers the exact same content yet has much more personality. Unlike this book, by the end of Charles' you feel like you really know the man. I can't quite say the same for Helopolous.

Don't get me wrong. The book has its uses. Helopolous covers more topics than Charles, albeit with less depth. There is some wisdom and practical advice here for pastors, such as the tip on recycling your sermons to be used as blogposts or other forms of media so that you aren't always writing new material. Other helpful topics include how to set agendas for meetings, the blessing of the youth pastorate, the importance of listening, the importance of spending your early years focusing on study of the Word, and how to serve faithfully as an assistant pastor. His chapter on the invisible nature of pastoral work, and how it can be less satisfying since we are not producing anything tangible like other vocations, did resonate with me, as did the subsequent chapters on not taking yourself too seriously (people need Jesus, not us).

There are a lot of imperatives in this book. He tells you what to do, a lot, without going into great detail on how to do it. It's all fine and good, but I probably won't reopen this book again, and I hesitate to say I would recommend it. You can read it in a couple hours or less, and there's some good stuff in there. It's…fine, but it isn't great writing. Don't expect to be thrilled by the end.


A few quotes:

"I define effective preaching as the proclamation of biblical truth with passion, which is aimed at the affections of the people listening as they engage the truth of the text with their minds by the stirring of the Holy Spirit."

"My wife and I often comment on seeing our own sins present in the lives of our children. Like magnets they pick up our iniquities, and like mirrors they reflect them back to us." I like this line. It's poetic, and a good use of simile.

"While all of God's people are constantly waging spiritual battle, our calling makes this an even more intense reality. Our adversary lacks no ignorance in terms of what our sins, our failings, and our corruption could do to a host of Gods people. The colonial soldiers in the American Revolution often aimed for the British officers. If they killed an officer, they knew the troops under him might reel with disorganization, demoralization, and even defeat. Our adversary knows the same."

"Don't get entangled in controversies early in ministry. Devote your first years to learning the Scriptures above all else."

"Do not take an [assistant pastor] position unless you respect and like the senior pastor under whom you will serve."

"Our calling is a holy calling. If holiness does not mark us, we should not be surprised when it does not mark our churches."

[Joshua Chipchase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many short, succinct, clear, and helpful chapters give practical counsel on how to be a good pastor. It is not filled with in depth exegesis or theology, but is more focused on simple, practical biblical principles connected with solid advice from a current pastor. It is convicting, encouraging, and very helpful. This is my third time I have read it and yet it is just as fresh and helpful this time around.

[John Pate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forty-eight short chapters addressing the basics (and not so basics) of pastoral ministry. I'm six years into pastoral ministry, but I needed so much of what I read here. Many things he addresses I gained clarity on, and some things I had never really thought about at all. I would recommend this to anyone entering the ministry for the first time...and maybe even recommend a re-read after five years.

[Nate Youtzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must for any student pursuing pastoral ministry. Helopoulos focuses on many things that are not (and even cannot be) taught in a seminary classroom. The practical advice he provides is priceless for any student looking to go beyond the theoretical into the work of ministry itself.

[Andrew Krom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helopoulos's book is very encouraging for any young pastor to read. I read this book along with my devotionals and it aided me as I was thinking about pastoral ministry. This short book is broken down into 48 3-4 page chapters and is easy to pick up and read.

[Coleson White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book accomplishes what it sets out to do.

[Andrew Geddert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of great tips for new, young, pastors but this book is heavily targeted towards American males in a small church context. Nothing wrong with that, but just know that's who the material primarily exists for.

[David Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful reminders

This has been a very helpful reminder in how to serve the Lord in pastoral ministry in a God serving manner. Helopoulous humble example poke, proded and encouraged me. I will definitely need to read this again and again

[RT · Rating 3 out of 5]

I entered this book with very little expectations. Found it very helpful and practical. Every chapter (about 1.5-2.5 pages) has at least one helpful nugget. The author writes in a clear and compelling style. Some chapters are more helpful than others, but each has value. Worth reading. Worth owning. Might reference later in ministry, albeit a lack of return would not be a criticism of the book, it’s just aimed at early years of ministry primarily.

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each year, seminaries around the world confer graduates with diplomas. The piece of paper which will hang in a pastor’s study symbolizes the learning which took place; a testimony to at least three years of hard work that was meant to prepare the minister for a lifetime of ministry.
A good seminary will prepare a man to study the biblical text. It will equip him the necessary exegetical tools (Greek, Hebrew, inductive Bible study, etc.) so the man of God is competent to wrestle with God’s Word and ultimately share the fruit of his labor with the people of God. In short, seminary will raise up an expository preacher.

A good seminary will help the prospective pastor “think Christianly,” as Francis Schaeffer once said. It will establish the Christian worldview which will influence a lifetime of ministry. A good seminary will equip a man theologically. He will study each branch of systematic theology and biblical theology. He will learn the various schools of apologetics. He will study missiology, evangelism, and church planting. He will explore the fascinating field of world religions and be ready to engage a Muslim, Mormon, or Jehovah Witness at a moments notice. A good seminary will help a man understand the flow of church history - from the patristics, to the medieval age, to the Reformation, the Puritans, and beyond. He will develop an appreciation for the movements in redemptive history which have produced credal formulations such as the Apostle’s Creed, the Athanasian Creed, the Creed of Constantinople, the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Heidelberg Catechism. And a good seminary will help develop Christian leaders who understand the importance of a well-ordered polity, the role of elders and deacons, and basic matters that pertain to leadership.

But there is a glaring weakness that emerges in most seminary curricula. There is very little help in preparing pastors for what awaits them in ministry. Jason Helopoulos seeks to bridge this gap in his excellent book, The New Pastor’s Handbook: Help and Encouragement For the First Years of Ministry.
The sub-title accurately reflects the essential nature of the book.

A brief survey of the book’s contents reveals the direction of the author. The book is comprised of five parts.

Part One: The Beginning
Part Two: Starting Out Strong
Part Three: Encouragements
Part Four: Pitfalls of Young Pastors
Part Five: Joys of Ministry

Each section is filled with practical and biblical exhortation, encouragement, and warning for pastors who are launching into ministry. But make no mistake; this book is packed with encouraging words for veteran pastors as well. After having served in pastoral ministry for nearly twenty-five years, I was deeply encouraged by the content in this powerful little book.

The New Pastor’s Handbook should be an essential tool in every new pastors study. Indeed, it should be required reading for every pastor. Read it, study it, meditate on it. Thanks to Jason Helopoulos for a much-needed book!

Highly recommended!

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

[Peter Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not Bridges' Christian Ministry, Baxter's Reformed Pastor or Piper's Brothers We are Not Professionals. But what it aims to do it does very, very well: introducing new pastors or pastors to be to the nuts and bolts of pastoral ministry from candidating to hospital visitation.

Several things set this book apart.
First, the chapters are short. Thus the book is accessible.

Second, he covers a large amount of ground without getting bogged down. It is a flyover, but a good one.

Third, he is realistic, but encouraging. I get the sense that the author has been in a lot of different church situations. He has a realistic perspective on ministry. But he does not make it sound like drudgery.

Finally, he is clear and practical without being too specific.

This is an excellent book for any new pastor or ministerial student.

I was provided this book free of charge for review by Bakerbooks. I was not obligated to provide a positive review.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jason Helopoulos has crafted an excellent survey of pastoral ministry, offering helpful warnings, encouragements, and suggestions for those called to serve as under-shepherds of Christ's body. Although he chiefly addresses newer pastors, Helopoulos writes a thoughtful, engaging, and edifying book which also provides encouragement for more seasoned pastors. His simple yet precise, structured yet conversational prose makes the book both encouraging and thought-provoking. This brief work provides a beneficial survey of the common pastoral considerations and issues prevalent in the ministry.

[Philip Mcduffie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is eye opening. Aspiring to be a pastor is a good thing. Jason reveals this beautifully in this work. Pastoral ministry also comes with trials, sufferings, and challenges. Jason hits on these topics wisely. I am thankful to have read this before serving the church in some capacity through pastoral ministry (Lord Willing). It will prove to be deeply dependable resource and a resource I go to often.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I wish I had read it a year ago. Solid encouragement. I think when I learn of your men going into the pastorate I will give them this book. So much gold in this book. For me it was a healthy reminder that I am care for those who the Lord died for! There is nothing more important than this care that I extend! Praise God! Recommended

[Eric Durso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any book that causes me to pause and pray or rejoice or reflect is a worthy one- this book had several of those moments. Wise, thoughtful, practical, and accessible.

[Simon O'Mahony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, easy-to-read chapters presented in a conversational tone. Practical advice that is true to the realities of ministry. This book is a must read for new pastors.

[Ethan McCarter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book is definitely a welcome addition to reading material for a new pastor. It doesn't take too long to read through, and it's not overly complex material that stretches the mind. Imagine that you're sitting down for a cup of tea with Helopoulos while he gives some sage wisdom. I found a lot of the book very easy to swallow and was founded on good advice and counsel. It's well-written and works well for a new pastor or a seasoned one who could use some advice. I did hover between giving this book 3 stars or 4 and ended up closer to 4 than 3. There are some negatives I had with the book. One of those is that the chapters are far too short. Some of them were only a page or two which, while making the point clear and easy to digest, it doesn't give much thought behind the proposition at hand. Brevity is good, but often a point needs more explanation and argumentation to stick in the mind. Another complaint can't really be helped by the author because we all live and minister in different contexts. Helopoulos is an American pastor, ministering in a fairly large church (by British standards it's a massive church), with interactions across a whole slough of people with different takes. While he did give advice for pastors in different contexts, much of his advice comes from the position of a pastor in a very niche context. What I'm getting at is though we're all ministers in specific contexts, it's not always the most helpful advice for ministers in other contexts. A lot of the book is not as helpful for someone ministering cross-culturally, those engaged in church revitalization, or, such as my personal context, in a small church across the Atlantic. I did enjoy the book and would recommend it with the caveat that many of the chapters are harder to apply because of contextualization of ministry; a point I know the author would echo.

[Matthew Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great read. If you are a new Pastor just starting out you find this book to not only be helpful but very practical. Even if you are an experienced Pastor there is still much to glean from this book. The author has done a great job detailing and giving encouragement in the trials and callings of the pastorate and God’s ministry for His under shepherds. As I have begun the journey to teach and go to school for Pastoring I have found this book to be very beneficial. It will be one I see myself going back to again and again. Highly recommended.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short chapters full of encouraging words for young pastors. Helopoulos has the gift of writing and clearly a pastor's heart. I'm not sure "handbook" is the best title, since it is still one step removed from the "how to" specifics of a field manual. It deals instead with biblical principles of pastoral leadership. Devotional in style with many provocative statements worth pondering and discussing.

[Dima Belous · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has great introductory and practical material for new pastors. The author is experienced pastor who gives practical advices to young pastors. I found the middle of the book, the section about the pitfalls of young pastor very helpful. I liked author's examples that he shared from his own personal experience in his ministry. The last section of the book was little repetitive. Overall author gives great advices for a new pastors.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read many books on the topic over the years, all by pastors better known (Criswell, Hobbs, MacArthur, Bisagno), but none has been more Biblical and helpful than this one. I’ll be passing it along to a fairly new pastor soon, but not before copying a particularly helpful section. While primarily addressed to new, young pastors, there’s plenty in here that’s beneficial to pastors of any age and span of experience.

[Vincent Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely a helpful and practical read through for those considering finishing their studies in seminary and going into ministry. I think it is helpful in providing a better understanding of things to look out for and consider when serving the church. The chapters are brief, but the author gets his point across. I believe that all entering ministry would find this book encouraging and helpful.

[Craig Wehmeyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book can be helpful if it is read periodically over a longer period of time. Because the chapters are very short, they require further meditation so that they can offer guidance as you begin your ministry. If you allow each chapter to sit with you a few days and ask the question, “How might I implement this advice within my own context?” I believe it can make a difference. That being said, I found much of what was said to be common sense reminders about the pastoral ministry.

[Jau-Chi Dai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short chapters that pack a punch!

This book is a great introduction to pastoral ministry. Each of the chapter topics could be at least a book on its own. The author does a great job in sticking to the main points and highlighting the most important points. This book is very readable and very convicting!

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent in every way.

Easy to read, helpful, engaging, and clear, this biblically focused book is incredibly helpful for new and seasoned ministry leaders alike. I gained several helpful gems out of this, and plan to return often for reminders and refreshers. Absolutely excellent.