Pastoral Ministry

by Richard Baxter

Drawn from Baxter's famous work, The Reformed Pastor , and arranged topically as a month's supply of brief daily readings, the maxims and meditations in this little book will not only challenge but encourage the gospel minister to pay careful attention to himself and to the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made him an overseer (Acts 20:28). With an introduction by J.I. Packer.

117 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2010

About the author

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) was an English Puritan church leader, poet, hymn-writer, theologian, and controversialist. Dean Stanley called him "the chief of English Protestant Schoolmen". After some false starts, he made his reputation by his ministry at Kidderminster, and at around the same time began a long and prolific career as theological writer. After the Restoration he refused preferment, while retaining a non-separatist presbyterian approach, and became one of the most influential leaders of the nonconformists, spending time in prison.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Josh Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I read ministry related books, the more I ask myself, "Where were these books when I was training for the ministry?" Now, to be fair, there is no way one could be exposed to ALL great ministry books while preparing for the ministry. However, from what I've read about "The Reformed Pastor," it remains near the top of the list of ministry books since its publication in the 1600s.

Although this mini-book is a synopsis or just "slices" of the main work, it still causes the minister to hunger for more. One can sense the directness, drive, and passion of Baxter even in this mini-book.

I must read the whole book.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adapted from Baxter’s seminal Reformed Pastor, this collection of insights into the role and responsibility of pastors has been divided into 31 daily readings. Baxter’s concern as a pastor was to genuinely tend to the needs of his people but never at the neglect of proclaiming the Gospel. Indeed, for Baxter, the two were intertwined in such a way that division was impossible—and so it should likewise be for all those in pastoral ministry today.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good (and short) abridgment of Richard Baxter’s Reformed Pastor. Made me want to read the full thing. So it did its work