Letters to My Students, Volume 2: On Pastoring

by Jason K. Allen

Few books have more influenced those called to gospel ministry than Charles Spurgeon’s Lectures to My Students. This influence of this book, like the Prince of Preachers himself, reverberates to our present age.
 
Carrying forward this tradition is Jason Allen’s Letters to My Students. Dr. Allen serves as president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College, the former ranking as one of the largest and fastest growing seminaries in North American. Dr. Allen has also served in multiple pastorates. His passion to serve the church by equipping a generation of pastors, missionaries, and ministers for faithful service is reflected in Letters to My Students.
 
Letters to My Students is a biblical, accessible guide for ministers and ministers-in-training. It brings both biblical and practical wisdom to bear on the minister’s three main preaching, leading, and shepherding the flock of God.
 
Martin Lloyd-Jones famously described the call to ministry as the highest, greatest, and most glorious calling to which one can be called. If this assessment resonates with you, you’ll want every available tool to strengthen your ministry. Letters to My Students is one such resource.
 

208 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 2021

About the author

DR. JASON ALLEN is the fifth and youngest president of Midwestern Baptist Seminary. He has served as pastor and interim pastor of Southern Baptist churches in Alabama and Kentucky over the past fifteen years. He currently serves the church more broadly through writing and preaching ministries, including his own website www.jasonkallen.com, where he writes on various topics including higher education, theology, preaching, and cultural and local church issues. He and his wife, Karen, have five children: Anne-Marie, Caroline, William, Alden, and Elizabeth.

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd in the series of Allen’s, Letters to My Students. This book on pastoring follows the same format as his first book in preaching. It is an easy read, informative, personal at times, and very often inspiring. I found his insights helpful many times. Although written primarily to a newer pastor, there is much to glean for someone that has done it for a long while.

Some subjects are of a more general tone without some specifics. This is understandable. He broadened the scope of the book for a broader audience. There are things that are not here; it would have been nice but the material still has a lot of punch.

I would recommend this 2nd book. Also, I will be ordering the 3rd book in the series to finish the trio.

[Josh Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second volume in the "Letters to my Students" series by Jason Allen is good as it deals with more of the common issues of pastoral ministry. I read it in half a day and it kept me engaged. I would say that I only give it 4 stars because alot of it was re-hashing what was already written in the first volume. Other than that, I would recommend this book to a first time pastor. The latter sections about weddings and funerals are extremely helpful. At the questions given for ordination are helpful as well! Highly recommend!

[Dimas Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second part of Dr. Allen's book on preaching. This second book deals with the pastor's responsibility in leading a church. Great insights. Written for new pastors, but a seasonal pastor can benefit from Dr. Allen's principles presented in this book.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sage, well-organized advice on pastoral ministry.

[Ben Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letters to My Students, Volume 2: On Pastoring

My first book of 2023. It was practical in most cases, with some good reminders on why ministry matters, with some great practical advice and suggestions on a panoply of ministry topics. I was most helped on the reminder of pastoral qualifications not only being the prerequisite for entering into ministry, but the guardrails of keeping me there. Quotes:

On family -- "You best steward your children's hearts by protecting your own."

On leadership -- "Your church will rise no higher than the leaders who serve it."

[Kevin Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second installment in Dr. Allen’s Letters series is solid. Though there is quite a bit of repetition from the first volume, he provides much practical and digestible wisdom for becoming and being a God-honoring pastor. It is quick enough to be a reference book throughout my ministry—serving as compact reminders of what I’ve read in other pastor books. I am grateful for this brief book.

[Neil Edward J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful for practical ways to be well rounded in pastoring. Such solid thoughts and practices.