21st Century Pastor

by David Fisher

The third millennium. It's a time of tremendous opportunity for the church--and tremendous challenge. More than ever, pastors need a model for ministry that can equip them for the rigors of a restless, increasingly secularized culture. In the 21st Century Pastor, David Fisher explores the apostle Paul's concept of ministry to offer a paradigm that is both biblical and relevant. Paul's view is fleshed out with examples from Fisher's own twenty-five years of pastoral experience, presenting a roadmap for today's pastor that is scholarly, practical, dynamic, and inspiring. The 21st Century Pastor first addressees crucial issues of pastoral identity, the significance of geography, time, and ecclesiology. It then explores Paul's metaphors for ministry (jars of clay, farmers and builders, servants and stewards, and others) to reveal an accurate portrait of an effective, biblical pastor--the kind who will speak to the heart of modern culture rather than languish on its fringes. Filling the rare role of a pastor to pastors, Fisher's sage insights help pastors answer their own identity questions, empowering them to minister to a deeply needy society. Says Fisher, "Pastors who know what time it is will, in the name and power of God, create communities of faith where the values of the Gospel are embraced, taught, and lived out."

Genres: Theology, Christian

Paperback

First published April 13, 1996

About the author

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Reviews

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talbot Course: Field Education

David Fisher’s book on the 21st Century Pastor is a guide full of wisdom for pastors young and old. It’s a survival guide for those currently serving or about to serve in the pastorate, as the title implies. Fisher uses the ministry model of the apostle Paul to bring to light the core issues of a pastor’s heart, vision, and ministry. Each chapter examines a key principle from Paul’s career and contextualizes it to present day circumstances. By the end of the book, at the least, Fisher leaves his reader a lot more refreshed, re-affirmed, and focused.

The reason it doesn't have a higher rating is that it's kind of dated...a lot of stats that he uses are too old....

[Nathan Marone]

This is specifically for students in the Wesleyan Church taking the "Pastoral Ministries" online class.

I read this book for the class. Given the graphic design on the cover and the publishing date, I was pretty skeptical, but Fisher's book is pretty dang good! Some of the examples aren't relevant anymore, but a lot of the philosophy of ministry is great. He's a generous author and he fills the book up with stories from his own ministry. Enjoy.

[Marilyn Rollins-Coulthrust · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid teaching and insight




It has been a pleasure having to ready and study this material. Praise the LORD. It can be recommended to others.

[Bobby Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written and honest reflection on the pastoral ministry. I read this for a Bible College class and this was one of the textbooks that completely held my attention.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quote is one I remember the best, but the entire book was excellent - and underappreciated, I think.

This quote comes before tying to Paul and pastoral ministry as being ambassadors for Christ
"I served on the board of a Christian college for several years. During that time, the government of Swaziland wanted to recruit Christian school teachers to come to their country and help them set up a Christian school system. Swaziland is a monarchy, and this was the desire of the king.
Swaziland's ambassador to the United Nations, Nelson Malinga, came to the college to interview students. I was privileged, along with another board member, to serve as his host for two days. It was an eye-opening experience. My lifetime in a democracy had not prepared me for the power of a monarchy. I had never before met a government official, and I discovered that ambassadors are a very special type of governmental official. Ambassadors of a king are even more unusual.
The first thing I noticed was Mr. Malinga's sense of dignity. It was quickly apparent that he was the personal representative of a king. His office bore an inherent power that gave the ambassador great confidence. From his behavior it was clear that he was well aware that he spoke for a king. He was quick to say, "The king says..." If anyone had questioned his authority or his word, he could have simply replied, "Call the king!" Mr. Malinga's dignified confidence rested in his assurance that he spoke for a monarch who had nearly absolute power.
Because the ambassador spoke for the king, a certain authority accompanied everything he did or said. At the same time, however, the ambassador was quite reserved. At all times he deferred to the king, from whom his confidence and power came, for neither the message he spoke nor the mission he was on were his own.
At night when the meetings were over and we went back to the hotel, Mr. Malinga had one last task. He called home to talk to the king. He had known the king all his life and represented a king he loved and respected. I think that much of the ambassador's dignity and quiet sense of authority came not just from his high office, but also from his relationship with the king. He knew what the king thought and desired. He lived to make the king's wishes come into being."

[Axekickr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was challenged by this book. The author made me prayerfully consider my ministry methods, and look for any subtle changes. Considering the book's subtitle I was expecting the Pauline approach to be the starting point, but the entry seemed to repeatedly be current issues with scripture speaking to them. This is not necessarily bad, but I feel starting with Paul's context and his concerns would have been more convincing. However, although this book is now older, the author has a very good grasp of issues in church life and pastoring. I would love to see an up dated version.

[Lee Button · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kept reminding myself the book was published in 1996! Every issue that I have faced as a pastor is addressed in some way by Fisher. His writing is superb and his illustrations are to the point. Using Paul's metaphors for ministry establishes a solid basis for discussion. I recognize that the current needs of the reader underwrite the value of the writing. But I will consult this volume often in the course of my continuing ministry.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a wonderful book. I would press this into the hands of seminarians and young and old pastors alike. Fisher is biblical, helpful, practical, humble and bold. This is one of the few books on pastoral ministry that I would call "great." Read it.