Ten Quotes: The New Pastor's Handbook by Jason Helopoulos

I was pleasantly surprised by Jason Helopoulos book, The New Pastor's Handbook. As I read, I was encouraged and convicted in numerous areas. The book fills a niche in our culture by having short chapters, tons of practical advice, covering a lot of topics, and focusing on new pastors, thus avoiding repetition of more well known works, such as John Piper's Brothers, We are Not Professionals. Here are ten of my favorite quotes from the book.

As undershepherds of his great flock, we care for his sheep by feeding them the Word; it is the very core and heartbeat of the calling on our lives. 

There will be weeks, months, and perhaps even years when the average church planter wonders what he has gotten into; in those moments perseverance matters a great deal. It can be the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful church plant. [The book has a chapter on church planting which was helpful for me as a church planter. P.J.]

Ministry, like baseball, is quite simple. It is nothing more than loving Christ, loving his people, and loving the Word. That is it.

As we seek to love his people, we bring this Word to bear on their souls for the glory of God. We have no greater gift to offer those under our care, for nothing can minister to them like the Word of God.

Apart from knowledge of the Word, we have no competence in the ministry.

It is a foolish pastor who forsakes shepherding his own family in the name of shepherding the church.

Our calling is a holy calling. If holiness does not mark us, then we should not be surprised when it does not mark our churches. There are few things more important in the life of the church than the holiness of its pastors.

A faithful pastor will build his ministry on the Word, prayer, and the sacraments. He will not deviate to gimmicks or the latest fads.

Administration creep occurs subtly and easily. We can go through a day of ministry answering emails, returning phone calls, and organizing policies with very little personal ministry taking place. A week can pass in this way, and all of the sudden we realize we have devoted more time to administration than to studying the Word of God, praying, and meeting with people. Our pervasive administrative duties have encroached on our time and taken over.

We need fewer aspiring conference speakers and more faithful pastors committed to their local churches. 

And One:

I try to remind myself of two things every day before I pursue the pastoral work set before me. First, I labor by the financial tithes of God's people. Therefore, I must strive to honor their sacrifice. Second, I remind myself that I fight in battle every day...(Col. 1:25-26). That is my task. I am engaged vocationally in holy warfare every day. Since no day in the pastorate approaches triviality, I am not allowed to "go through the motions." 

Quotes from Other Books
On Being a Pastor by Derek Prime and Alistair Begg
How to Exasperate Your Wife by Douglas Wilson
The Things of Earth by Joe Rigney
A Son for Glory by Toby Sumpter 
Escape from Reason by Francis Schaeffer
Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung
Making Gay Okay by Robert Reilly 
Christ Crucified by Donald Macleod
Concerning the Eternal Predestination of God by John Calvin

Book Review: The New Pastor's Handbook

The New Pastor's Handbook: Help and Encouragement for the First Years of Ministry by Jason Helopoulos
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is not Bridges' Christian Ministry, Baxter's Reformed Pastor or Piper's Brothers We are Not Professionals. But what it aims to do it does very, very well: introducing new pastors or pastors to be to the nuts and bolts of pastoral ministry from candidating to hospital visitation.

Several things set this book apart.
First, the chapters are short. Thus the book is accessible.

Second, he covers a large amount of ground without getting bogged down. It is a flyover, but a good one.

Third, he is realistic, but encouraging. I get the sense that the author has been in a lot of different church situations. He has a realistic perspective on ministry. But he does not make it sound like drudgery.

Finally, he is clear and practical without being too specific.

This is an excellent book for any new pastor or ministerial student.

I was provided this book free of charge for review by Bakerbooks. I was not obligated to provide a positive review.


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Keep Yourself Sharp

Here is a good reminder from Charles Spurgeon on why ministers need to watch their own lives and souls.

Every workman knows the necessity of keeping his tools in a good state of repair, for “if the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength.” If the workman lose the edge from his adze, he knows that there will be a greater draught upon his energies, or his work will be badly done. Michael Angelo, the elect of the fine arts, understood so well the importance of his tools, that he always made his own brushes with his own hands, and in this he gives us an illustration of the God of grace, who with special care fashions for himself all true ministers. It is true that the Lord...occasionally makes very foolish preaching to be useful in conversion; and he can even work without agents, as he does when he saves men without a preacher at all, applying the word directly by his Holy Spirit; but we cannot regard God’s absolutely sovereign acts as a rule for our action. He may, in his own absoluteness, do as pleases him best, but we must act as his plainer dispensations instruct us; and one of the facts which is clear enough is this, that the Lord usually adapts means to ends, from which the plain lesson is, that we shall be likely to accomplish most when we are in the best spiritual condition; or in other words, we shall usually do our Lord’s work best when our gifts and graces are in good order, and we shall do worst when they are most out of trim. This is a practical truth for our guidance, when the Lord makes exceptions, they do but prove the rule.

We are, in a certain sense, our own tools, and therefore must keep ourselves in order. If I want to preach the gospel, I can only use my own voice; therefore I must train my vocal powers. I can only think with my own brains, and feel with my own heart, and therefore I must educate my intellectual and emotional faculties. I can only weep and agonise for souls in my own renewed nature, therefore must I watchfully maintain the tenderness which was in Christ Jesus. It will be in vain for me to stock my library, or organise societies, or project schemes, if I neglect the culture of myself; for books, and agencies, and systems, are only remotely the instruments of my holy calling; my own spirit, soul, and body, are my nearest machinery for sacred service; my spiritual faculties, and my inner life, are my battle axe and weapons of war. M’Cheyne, writing to a ministerial friend, who was travelling with a view to perfecting himself in the German tongue, used language identical with our own:—” I know you will apply hard to German, but do not forget the culture of the inner man—I mean of the heart. How diligently the cavalry officer keeps his sabre clean and sharp; every stain he rubs off with the greatest care. Remember you are God’s sword, his instrument—I trust, a chosen vessel unto him to bear his name. In great measure, according to the purity and perfection of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.” 

Book Review: The Christian Ministry

The Christian Ministry by Charles Bridges
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I am always convicted by this book. Bridges hits on pride, worldliness, and laziness to varying degrees. Last time I was convicted about my study habits. This time is was about my fear of men and want of affection for Christ and His people. His section on preaching plainly with clear application was also helpful. The book will not appeal to all. But there is little doubt that most ministers can find some gold that will strengthen them in their labors.

Read previously in 2010. Here is my review from then:

There were several sections of this book I found particularly convicting. Bridges does not mention much about liturgy or the Sacraments. So if you are looking for that this not your book. But that is where I have done a lot of reading. So it was not that necessary for me. But he does bring up things like laziness, hypocrisy, want of zeal and failure in family life. The chapter on "Preparation for the Christian Ministry" especially the section on study habits was like a knife in my soul. How many ministers squander hours on useless labors? Bridges is strong where many younger pastors are weak. I needed this book.

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Fighting Fear

When a book on pastoral ministry has a chapter entitled “Dirty Secrets” the expected topic would be sexual sin. Sex and secrets typically go together. And unfortunately, sexual sin and pastoral ministry too often go together as well. However, Paul Tripp does not talk about sex in his chapter titled “Dirty Secrets” in his book Dangerous Calling. So what is the dirty secret that often eats at pastoral ministry? Fear.  When I began pastoral ministry I did not consider fear something to be feared.  I assumed that I would be up to fight any and all battles. I would manfully march forward like John Wayne slaying every enemy. Time has proven me the coward more than I would like to admit. They did not teach courage in seminary.  But they should have. I was told I would need to know Greek and theology. But they failed to tell me I would need a backbone. By God’s grace I am getting one, but it has been a humbling path. So Paul Tripp’s chapter on fear was a very potent read for me.  Here are a few nuggets from this chapter. Though it is written for pastors, everyone can benefit from it.

Four Debilitating Pastoral Fears
1. Fear of me: “There are few things that will reveal the full range of our sins like ministry.”
2. Fear of others: “Because all people you minister with and to are still dealing with indwelling sin, relationships and ministry with them will be messy. People will hurt and damage your ministry.”
3. Fear of circumstances: “There is a constant unpredictability to life and ministry.”
4. Fear of the future: “You always live and minister in the hardship of not knowing…not knowing is difficult…we find questions of the future hard to deal with because we find it difficult to trust God.

How to Fight Fear
1. Humbly own your fears: “Fear is never defeated by denying its existence.”
2. Confess those places where fear has produced bad decisions and wrong responses.
3. Pay attention to your meditation: “Does God loom so large in your thoughts that you grow strong in faith, even in the middle of what is unexpected and difficult.”  Abraham’s example from Romans 4:18-22 is used by Tripp to illustrate this point.
4. Preach the gospel to yourself: “You need to preach a gospel that finds its hope not in your understanding and ability but in a God who is grand and glorious in every way.”

Methods Matter

“In looking at the succession of methodologies that have been hailed as the new next ‘key’ to church growth over the last fifty years, we can make these three observations. First, evangelicals have typically treated methodology as if it is utterly neutral, having no effect upon the message (but it is not, and to think so is naïve).  Second, evangelicals have spent precious little time asking what methodology is consistent with our theology.  Third, we have not insisted that our methodology flow from our theology and from the gospel itself.” (J. Ligon Duncan in Entrusted with the Gospel, p. 128)

Divorcing Theology from Methodology

“The second error that has also dogged the Western church for the last two hundred years is more common among evangelicals.  It says we don’t need an updated message [this is the first error. P. J.] because the message is basically alright, but what we do need if we are going to be really successful, if we’re really going to reach our world and our culture, are new methods.  This approach sees our methods as the key to reaching our culture, and it assumes that our methods neither flow from nor our essentially related to our message. In other words, it divorces theology from methodology (or inadequately relates them).  (J. Ligon Duncan in Entrusted with the Gospel, p. 126)

Where to Begin

I have read several longer books on John Calvin's life over the last few years. Every time I am convicted of gaps in my pastoral ministry, not my theology. In fact, Calvin the pastor has had a greater influence on me than Calvin the theologian. Of course, the theology and the ministry go together, but the more I read about him the more convinced I am that it was his theology applied in the church at Geneva, not his theology written, where he left his greatest fingerprint. I recently read David W. Hall's short work on Calvin, The Legacy of John Calvin. This quote struck me because it confirmed what I had been feeling as I read about Calvin.

"While Calvin's accomplishments have had lasting influence in many sectors, it is important to recognize an oft-ignored truism about his work: his reforms began in the church and only then radiated outward...He was prudent enought to realize that the best way to reform the culture was indirectly, that is, to first reform the church.

Good Works in Titus

The struggle between good works and faith has roots that go deep into the history of the Church. One of the key debates in the Protestant Reformation was works and the role they play in the salvation of a man. In modern times, the lordship salvation debate between John MacArthur and some others in the 1990’s was really a debate about the nature and necessity of works in the Christian life. Numerous Scriptures were used throughout the debates both in the Reformation and in the modern quarrels. James 2:14-24 was beaten to death during the lordship salvation debates. Christ calling His people to obedience throughout the Gospels was also scrutinized by scholarly eyes. Paul’s letters to Rome, Corinth and Galatia were used on both sides of the argument.
I wish to look at a lesser known letter by Paul to give us some perspective on the issue of good works in the life of the Christian. In particular, I want to briefly address the reformed tendency to avoid any mention of good works from the pulpit for fear of being misunderstood.
Titus was written by St. Paul late in his life, probably between 62-64 A.D. The recipient, a Gentile Christian probably converted by Paul, was left in Crete to finish the work Paul had started there. It is not the most famous New Testament book. It is short and probably preferred by ministers for its pastoral content. You will rarely find it listed in someone's “favorite books of the Bible” section. Despite its relative obscurity, it has numerous practical exhortations that are worth looking at.
In a recent reading of Titus I found the issue of good works being brought to my attention. Paul’s advice to Titus is particularly important because Titus was a pastor. What was Paul's exhortation to this pastor on the island of Crete? Did he tell Titus to be very careful about mentioning good works to his people? Did he imply that pressing good works upon the flock will make them legalists, who are earning their way to heaven? Let’s see what was Paul’s admonition to this pastor.
There are seven uses of the Greek word, ergon, in Titus. Normally ergon is translated as work or deed. Here are the seven uses. I am using the New King James Version text.

1:16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

2:6-7 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, (7) in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,

2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

3:4-5 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, (5) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

3:14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

The verses here that are most familiar to me, and probably to you as well, is the magnificent encapsulation of the Gospel found in Titus 3:4-5. These verses show that works are not the basis or reason for our salvation. It is only because God is merciful and kind that we are redeemed. Works are left out of this equation entirely. Most Protestants are comfortable with these verses.
It is the remaining verses that make us uneasy. Paul is vocal, almost pushy, in exhorting Titus to preach good works to his people. Look at the language Paul uses, "a pattern of good works...zealous for good works...maintain good works...maintain good works." For Paul good works are not a return to the Old Testament Law. Good works are not a sign of legalism. Good works are the necessary fruit of a Christian life. They are absolutely essential. Get that last sentence and plant it in your mind. Pastors everywhere are to exhort their people to good works. I know of many pastors, especially reformed pastors, who are afraid to use this type of language. They fear that they will be misunderstood. They fear that they will be accused of being Roman Catholic or legalistic. But if we are going to preach Titus 3:4-5 we must also preach Titus 3:8 and 14. Paul did not shrink back from telling his people and his pastors to make good works a priority. A man who wants a ministry like Paul's must not shrink back from that duty either.
Legalism can be a problem in churches and must be avoided. However, a much greater issue in the modern evangelical church is the failure to be holy, the failure to be zealous for good works. An effective minister will know which way the cultural wind is blowing and fight against it. In our age the danger is not those who create new laws, like the Pharisees, but rather those who reject God's Law altogether or pick and choose which part of the Scriptures they want to obey. A good axe to cut down this tree of folly is to preach good works, exactly like Paul told Titus to.

A Little Exercise....

Sometimes short books can be the best books. A long, windy writer can often simply be long and windy, not deep and profound. I have tried to read some shorter books/pamphlets lately. These are great fillers when you have a few spare minutes. The other advantage is you can actually finish them and feel like you are accomplishing something.

I recently read A Little Exercise of Young Theologians. It is an excellent book and worth a read by anyone involved in theological study. Also it is only 41 pages. You get the impression that the author believed in some liberal views of the Scriptures, but this is a minor part of the book and should not keep you away.

Professor Thielicke, like an expert surgeon, dissects the various diseases that afflict young theologians and pastors. He uses the illustration of a young man returning from his early seminary studies and a Christian friend asks him a question about the Bible. Here is how Thielicke describes the young theologian's response. "Under a considerable display of the apparatus of exegetical science and surrounded by the air of the initiated, he produces paralyzing and unhappy trivialities, and the inner muscular strength of a lively young Christian is horribly squeezed to death in a formal armor of abstract ideas." (p. 8) He goes on to describe how often young men use theology to destroy instead of build.

Later he describes what he calls "theological puberty." That stage when a young man has lots of ideas running around in his head, but little actual experience. He says, "There is a hiatus between the arena of the young theologian's actual spiritual growth and what he already knows intellectually about this arena." In other words, he knows a lot about weapons, but hasn't done much actual fighting. Thielicke goes on, "So to speak, he has been fitted, like a country boy, with breeches that are too big, into which he must still grow up...meanwhile they hang loosely around his body, and this ludicrous sight is of course not beautiful." (p. 10)

He ends by pointing to the need for a Spirit filled life if a man is to be true theologian. "Whoever ceases to be a man of the Spirit automatically furthers a false theology, even if in thought it is pure, orthodox and basically Lutheran. [Thielicke was a professor at Lutheran Seminary.] But in that case death lurks in the kettle." (p. 36) "But it is all the more important to insist constantly and almost monotonously that a person who pursues theological courses is spiritually sick unless he reads the Bible uncommonly often and makes the most of opportunities by which, in preaching and Bible classes, that cornerstone is made visible." (p. 40)

I found this book an excellent reminder of the dangers of theology. Theology is a great tool, which can be used for great good, but it must be used with wisdom, discretion and good dose of the Spirit. Thielicke's book exposes those sins masked as knowledge and virtue that theologians so easily commit. Read it with good dose of prayer and confession.