By: H.B. London, Jr. and Neil B. Wiseman (1996)

ISBN 1-56476-585-7

Book Price: $8.36

pastoral ministry development

HB London, Jr. is Vice President of Ministerial Outreach/Pastoral Ministries at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs. He has also pastored churches for thirty-one years. Neil B. Wiseman is Professor of Pastoral Development at Nazarene Bible College. He has spent more than twenty years and another twenty years in pastoral support!

About your pastor

London and Wiseman inject ideas into nine chapters. They express the following, pastors under fire (ch. 1), what pastors want congregations to know about ministry (ch. 3), seven habits of highly effective church pillars (ch. 7), creating a healthy self-image of the congregation (Ch. 8), a pastor’s bill of rights (Ch. 9).

Addressing issues facing pastors

HB London, Jr. and Neil B. Wiseman connect with their audience through an informative style, using research data, citations, and a variety of evidence to support their claims. They say, “Today’s pastors are facing crises unknown to any other occupational group… Credibility is down. Suspicion is up… Dysfunctional people… Leaders have less time…”

HB and Neil focus on current trends to support their case, stating that “The consumer mentality that sees the church is driving some pastors insane with fear. It is estimated that as much as 80 percent of all church membership earnings church in a recent year were a result of people leaving one church and joining another.

The authors pose questions to focus readers on topics such as: “Why does the church need pastors…To build up the body…expand our knowledge of the Son…facilitate our maturity…encourage our growth… .church…built…”

London and Wiseman provide solutions to the problems cited in the earlier chapters, exhorting, “Try to shield your pastor from criticism… Try to double down on your affirmation of your pastor… Commit to fixing what can be fixed… Positive second- hand affirmation will be reported on a church gossip line almost as quickly as a negative report…”

With great insight, HB and Neil tackle the #1 problem pastors face. They explain, “Church gossip often focuses on the pastor and his associates… In casual conversations, accuracy is often compromised…”

Pressures Pastors Face Today

HB London, Jr. and Neil B. Wiseman accurately and supportively reveal the pressures facing pastors today.