Pastor, the hard work of church revitalization is a unique experience and battle ground. It can feel like you’re all alone. But the trials you face are not new. Faithful preachers throughout scriptures and church history have encountered hostility, apathy, and adversity, and continue to do so today. Brian Croft and James Carroll share their personal stories and seek to encourage you to faithfully persevere in this Spirit–empowered, God–honoring, Christ–exalting work.
Endorsements
It seems I have read enough books on preaching to populate a small book store, but never one like this. Both authors have served as faithful preachers in a revitalizing context for many years and have long practiced the things they write about here. Read it and be reminded (and instructed) that the power of God for transformation—for the church—lies in what the apostle Paul calls “the foolishness of preaching.”
Jeff Robinson Pastor, Christ Fellowship Church of Louisville, Kentucky and Senior Editor, The Gospel Coalition
From the Bible, and from examples drawn from Church history, as well as their personal experiences, these authors encouraged my own heart. If the fire in your heart is burning low, this is the book that will help reignite the gift God has given you to be a faithful preacher, no matter the cost.
There is sufficient simple biblical realism in this volume to make it widely applicable. Both authors have faced particular battles in different difficult contexts, and both seek to filter that experience through the grid of Scripture, to give counsels and encouragements for those seeking to revitalise troubled or stubborn churches in accordance with the Word of God. Even more settled pastors in more solid churches will find much to stimulate and to instruct in this helpful and accessible volume.
Jeremy Walker Pastor, Maidenbower Baptist Church, UK
Despair,
fatigue, and frustration are grave threats to pastoral ministry. How does one not only endure but improve as a preacher when there is little affirmation and few signs of growth? Here is a book that gives advice and inspiration for preachers who need encouragement to stay true to their calling to preach the Word (2 Tim. 4:1).
Joe Barnard Pastor, Holyrood Evangelical Church, Edinburgh Author of The Way Forward, and Surviving the Trenches
Brian Croft is Senior Pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky and is the Founder of Practical Shepherding. He is also Senior Fellow of the Mathena Center for Church Revitalization at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
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