Seasoned pastor, Terry L. Johnson, shares practical wisdom for pastors to help them prioritise their public ministry. Includes foreword by Ligon Duncan.
Ministers, in our age, are expected to be jacks–of–all–trades. However important administration, committee work, counselling, and relationship building may be,
the pastor’s public ministry in the preaching of the Word and leading of public worship and prayer are fundamental.
The Bible lays out specific qualifications for elders and deacon. The gospel is guarded by requiring those who hold public office to have high standards of knowledge,
character, and conduct. Terry Johnson lays out that, if this is true for “lay”
leadership, how much more important for those called to ministry.
With years of experience, and practical wisdom, Terry L. Johnson guides pastors to think through each of the key aspects of public worship.
If you are just starting out in ministry, or have been serving the Lord for many years, a prayerful reading of this book will be of great benefit to your ministry, and your congregation.
Contents:
Leading in Worship
First Priority
Principles of Worship Leadership
Services of Worship
Public Services
Well–ordered
Reverent
Well–paced
Clergy–led
Simple yet excellent
Leading in Praise
Is it singable?
Is it biblically and theologically sound?
Is it biblically and theologically mature?
Is it emotionally balanced?
Is it demographically comprehensive?
Leading in Prayer
Background
Recent Times
Personal Experience
Recommendations for Public Prayer
Scriptural
Planned
Brief
Undiluted
Appropriate
Full diet of prayer
Clear headings
Example
Preaching
Lectio continua
Textual
Without Formulas
Assume Ignorance
Explain Context
Review and Repeat
Application
Brevity
Urgency
Authentic
Exhortation
Endorsements
… the kind of book that every seminary student should read before beginning his ministry and a ready reminder to serving pastors of the deep significance of what they do every Lord’s Day in leading people in their corporate engagement with God.
Iver Martin Principal, Edinburgh Theological Seminary, Edinburgh, Scotland
Johnson offers some of the most practical advice anywhere on public prayer … I particularly appreciated his emphasis on how public prayer should utilize the language of Scripture, noting that one ought no more to pray without preparation than to preach without preparation. We greatly need this book.
Douglas F. Kelly Professor of Theology Emeritus, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina
Not only will pastors be helped by this excellent little book but so too will sessions and church members who may need reminding what precisely it is that pastors are called and ordained to do.
Todd Pruitt Pastor, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Terry Johnson has done it again. Brief, clear, and brimming with practical wisdom gleaned from nearly 40
years of ordained ministry, this resource is unparalleled.
Neil Stewart Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church (ARP), Columbia, South Carolina
Ligon Duncan is the Chancellor and CEO of the Reformed Theological Seminary System where he is also John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology. Prior to his appointment he was Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi.
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