Book Review: Church Elders: How to Shepherd God’s People Like Jesus
Church Elders: How to Shepherd God’s People Like Jesus by Jeramie Rinne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you’ve never given the subject of elders in a local congregation serious thought, you might be surprised by how many passages in the New Testament speak to it. This book isn’t an exhaustive, doctrinal defense of elders in a local church. It is more practical than that and that might be the key to this brief book’s usefulness. It isn’t usually a doctrinal objection people make to plural eldership, but rather a practical one. Independent Baptist churches largely abandoned the practice in the twentieth century, so many church members have never seen it done.
The greatest difficulty for many is in conceptualizing how multiple elders would work together. Then, because their conception of the purpose and practice of elders is formed from their imaginations, they conclude it isn’t necessary today, or only necessary in an extreme circumstance such as a large membership. Many have the question: What does it look like? This where Jeramie Rinne’s book can serve as good soft introduction to the subject. He tackles the subject from a practical perspective and gives various views into what it looks like.
It could also be a helpful book for men who have some gifting and a desire to serve, but question or wrestle with whether they should be the “main guy.” I think we can unintentionally restrict the room for service in the leadership of a church. Single-elder pastors often burn out under the load one man cannot carry, or a pastor dies or becomes medically unable to continue, and a church often faces a painful transition. Ultimately, we fail to raise up leadership and the health and growth of a local church is stunted.
This is a helpful book for pastors and church members alike.
Book Review: Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons
Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons by Thabiti M. Anyabwile
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The book is also useful for those already in these roles. As the author works through the various issues and qualities required of a man in these offices, you will be convicted and challenged. You will recognize places where you fall short, and, if you’re like me, feel it painfully. The practical nature of the book and the advice given helps give a roadmap for identifying weaknesses and moving toward growth and faithfulness.
Pastors, deacons, and church members can all be benefited from reading this book. Men who are wrestling with these offices and calls to service will also be benefited from reading this book.
Review: The Pastor’s Justification: Applying the Work of Christ in Your Life and Ministry
The Pastor’s Justification: Applying the Work of Christ in Your Life and Ministry by Jared C. Wilson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is an overall good book. Wilson is readable and relatable, maybe those are the same. His background and journey may not resonate with all, but I think his primary aim was to help pastors apply the Gospel to their own hearts and ministries. This book can be helpful, but you probably need a few bruises to appreciate it.
Review: More Faithful Service
More Faithful Service by Albert Mohler Jr.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This short book is a helpful study in the pastoral ministry. Each chapter is contributed by a different author. It is more of a workbook with area for your notes and answering questions. The layout is done well and it’s overall useful. The study is divided into three parts pertaining to pastoral ministry–faithfulness, persistence, and excellence.
Don’t let the apparent simplicity fool you. It is worth working through.
Review: Preaching with Bold Assurance: A Solid and Enduring Approach to Engaging Exposition
Preaching with Bold Assurance: A Solid and Enduring Approach to Engaging Exposition by Hersheal York
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book is divided into three parts: The Text, The Sermon, and Delivery. Part I was the strongest. Part II started with an explanation of the trademarked Decker Grid System for building sermons that felt like quite a departure from Part I, though getting past that, there was definitely good material. Part III was about delivering sermons so the focus was on effective communication. Some of the psychology stuff got in the way, but it helped me think about different aspects of delivering a sermon and connecting with an audience.
Overall, it is not an exhaustive treatment, nor was it intended to be. The book covers a good bit of ground from studying the text, to building the sermon, to delivering the sermon. Throughout I was challenged to think about my own ministry and examine deficient areas in my own preaching. I’m thankful for the book and recommend it as worth reading.
