Theology for Ministry: How Doctrine Affects Pastoral Life and Practice

by Chad Van Dixhoorn (Contributor), William R. Edwards (Contributor), R. Carlton Wynne (Contributor)

When a rich theological perspective is lost, so is the larger story for pastoral ministry. When pastors see how God's whole counsel shapes and impacts their entire ministry, both pastors and churches will thrive. Deeply connecting theology with practice, this volume seeks to recover the rich scriptural framework for ministry that is grounded in key Christian doctrines such as the Triune God and his decrees, the person and work of Christ, and the application of all the benefits and blessings that come to us through the Spirit in our union with Christ. Contributors such as Joel Beeke, Ligon Duncan, Michael Horton, and Robert Letham write out of their experience both as pastors and theologians, providing a pattern of rich biblical-theological reflection that a vibrant ministry demands and that those engaged in ministry need in order to be sustained in their work.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christian Living, Church

680 pages, Hardcover

Published August 3, 2022

About the author

Chad Van Dixhoorn (PhD, Cambridge University) is professor of church history at Westminster Theological Seminary and a former pastor in the United Kingdom and in Virginia. He is the author of Confessing the Faith and God’s Ambassadors.

Reviews

[Grant Carter]

Read this for one of my classes. This book was incredible. A compilation of essays written by different reformed pastors/teachers on how doctrine affects pastoral ministry. Well worth my time and gave me a deeper appreciation for doctrine. (Sinclair Ferguson is the goat)

[Joe Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the read even though it’s 500+ pages. A series of essays with different authors, so some are better than other. All dedicated to my favorite preacher Sinclair Ferguson. The ones I will return to in the future:

Dennis Johnson on the Holy Spirit (chapter 11)
Williams Edwards on Sanctification (chapter 14)
Philip Ross on the Law of God (Chapter 18)
David Strain on Christian Liberty (chapter 19)
Chad Van Dixhoorn on The Sacraments (chapter 23)

[Tim Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as a supplement to my devotions this year. Very helpful look at theology in honor of Sinclair Ferguson, with the help of making that theology practical in our ministries as pastors in the local church. Only critique would be the Presbyterian doctrine that I don't subscribe too. Very helpful glossary and resource list at the back as well. Covers many different topics of theology and how they impact our shepherding our flocks.

[Jackson Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a joy trucking through this book weekly with some brothers in Christ, and the premise is true, doctrine exists for the good of the church, and should inform pastoral life and practice.

Many chapters incredibly helpful, others not so much. With it being a collection, there isn’t really a unified tone, or a consensus of what the book is for. Few chapters were very heady, and not practical. The best chapters were stretching, encouraging, and practical.

[Eddie Mercado · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic volume of essays in appreciation for the life and ministry of Sinclair Ferguson. My favorite essays were those of Carlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, Dennis Johnson, Cornel Venema, Chad Van Dixhoorn, and Daniel Strange. This will be incredibly useful for years to come.

[Ken Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection in honor of one of the great exemplars of Reformed ministry in our generation

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can pastors apply theology to their ministry? Written as a present for and tribute to Sinclair B. Ferguson, the contributors of Theology For Ministry honor him with outstanding work.

Scripture and the Trinity
Scripture being foundational for life and ministry is fittingly the first chapter. Written by R. Carlton Wynne, he argues Scripture’s inspiration, authority, and sufficiency. It is robust and compelling, characteristic of the following chapters in the book.

In Robert Letham’s chapter on the Trinity, I was most interested to see how the path from the doctrine of eternal generation leads straight to the heart of the gospel. When considering the life we have in Christ and the Spirit’s transforming power, our pulpits should be energized. Knowing God and specifically knowing him as Christ crucified should be the center of our preaching.

Adoption, Worship, and Missions
I was most moved in Ligon Duncan’s chapter on adoption. We are sons of the Father, in the Son, by the Spirit. What makes this doctrine important, especially to the pastoral work of a Reformed minister, is that this must be an experienced reality for those who are saved. The blessings are ours, and Duncan ends by quoting Ferguson speaking of adoption “as crucial for our times as it is central to the Christian gospel.”

It seems as if every chapter is significant in this book, with W. Robert Godfrey writing on Worship and Daniel Strange speaking on Missions. But the book reaches an end with Chad Van Dixhoorn on Sinclair B. Ferguson as Teacher, Pastor, Preacher, Author -- a short biography giving insight into his faith.

Thriving Ministry and Ministers
William Edgar beautifully closes the book with Theological Reflections on the True Nature of Friendship. This book will encourage you to have a thriving ministry, while also being a thriving minister. Exceptionally academic while pointedly practical for pastors, this is a robust and prestigious tome. It was a joy to read, and I am eager to get to the work of the ministry.

I received a media copy of Theology for Ministry and this is my honest review.

[Dan Mays · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m giving this book only 3 stars because of my expectations for the book.

I was expecting it have more of an emphasis on how the theology would practically play out in ministry. All of theology is practical, I know and yet I expected more time to be spent in the practical.

Some chapters were great and others were just okay. Some chapters were all theology except the last two paragraphs, while others intertwined the theology and practical beautifully.

Still a good book and would recommend it to others.

[Mike Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several chapters that have rich theological reflections for pastoral ministry, as promised by the title. I did find it odd that many of the chapters would not expound the named doctrine at-large, but rather explain some sub-sub-point of the doctrine. That weakness makes the book a little less useful than I would have originally thought. For me, the most memorable chapters were on Creation, Providence, Justification, and Communion.

[Matthew Bonzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very trinitarian, very reformed, and rich rich theology. I loved this book. This book was carefully crafted and worded and that is clear, but best of all it is very pastorally applicable in what it says.
Some chapters are better than others, and it has paedobaptist tendencies for my 1689 guys. I highly recommend this book.

[Adam Kareus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good introduction to theology relating to pastoral ministry. Each chapter was written with an emphasis on the topic's significance toward ministry and pastoring people. While written in honor of Sinclair Ferguson, it is applicable for all those in ministry (I walked through it with a pastoral intern at my church)

[Christian Cunningham · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a good book and exposits Christian doctrine well, but I don’t think it lives up to the title “theology for MINISTRY.” As a lover of theology, it was great, but it didn’t really push to think about ministry until the last two pages of each chapter. The best chapters for me were on missions and eschatology. Great stuff in there!

[Caleb Rolling · Rating 3 out of 5]

The quality of the essays was uneven--some were really good, others less good. The discussion questions concluding each chapter is a nice feature and can lead to some interesting reflection even on mediocre chapters.

[Paul Vawter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book of Presbyterian theology with more exposition of Westminster than of Scripture. That said, there are some beneficial portions, and the reader will benefit from carefully observing both its contributions and omissions.

[Tim Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful tool for pastoring.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. Just the encouragement a pastor needs. This book will restore to you the joy of your salvation (Ps 51).

[Eula C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sound theology. Excellent resource and references