The Pastor’s Ministry: Biblical Priorities for Faithful Shepherds, by Brian Croft. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015. 185 pp. $16.99.
To his growing Practical Shepherding series, Brian Croft has recently added one titled The Pastor’s Ministry: Biblical Priorities for Faithful Shepherds. Croft’s burden in writing is to challenge pastors “to know what God has truly called him to do—and to do it!” (14). He writes, “The aim of this book is simple: to reveal the priorities that God sets for every pastor” (16). With this goal in mind, Croft uses Scripture to identify and discuss ten areas of pastoral ministry that he believes God has specifically directed pastors to carry out in the church. The result is a book of pastoral theology, one with richness in both biblical insight and practical application that exceeds its page count.
In the Introduction, Croft argues for the sufficiency of Scripture for the task of pastoral ministry. He says, “The word of God is sufficient to provide us with an outline of a pastor’s divine calling and to instruct in how he should prioritize his daily schedule” (15). This is a much-needed emphasis in an age when pastoral ministry is often defined according to extra-biblical, or perhaps even unbiblical, standards. This principle of sufficiency guides Croft’s writing and in turn helps the reader to evaluate his own priorities in regular pastoral ministry by comparing it to Scripture. Croft does an excellent job of showing how each of his ten areas is rooted in the scriptural revelation concerning the pastoral office.
The meat of the book of made up of three sections. Part One is titled “Foundation” and covers guarding the truth (chap. 1), preaching the word (chap. 2), and praying for the flock (chap. 3). Part Two is titled “Focus” and covers setting an example (chap. 4), visiting the sick (chap. 5), comforting the grieving (chap. 6), and caring for widows (chap. 7). Part Three is titled “Faithfulness” and addresses confronting sin (chap. 8), encouraging weaker sheep (chap. 9), and identifying and training leaders (chap. 10). Some of these topics have full volumes
devoted to them in the Practical Shepherding series of which this volume is a part.
Each chapter follows a basic pattern of introduction, scriptural foundation, practical application, and conclusion. The scriptural foundation is laid well in each chapter as various passages supporting each task are briefly discussed. The sections of practical application are of varying weight. Some of the practical application is immensely helpful such as visiting the sick and caring for widows, which give specific guidance for conducting pastoral visits in these circumstances including questions to ask to generate conversation and passages of Scripture to read for encouragement. Similarly, the chapter on comforting the grieving walks the reader through the logistics of a funeral service, giving instruction on what the pastor should do at each stage of the service. Other sections of application are more abstract such as the chapter on confronting sin in which Croft discusses church discipline with key passages and principles but gives no specific scenarios to illustrate how the principles can be put into practice, or the chapter on guarding the truth which omits discussion on how churches and individuals should relate to those outside the church who do not share common convictions about truth.
The short conclusion provides a strong challenge for pastors to maintain a watch over their own hearts and lives. Croft recognizes that caring for the flock can take much time and energy, even to the “detriment of [pastors’] own souls” (178). This closing challenge to personal integrity and communion with God serves as a fitting conclusion to remind the reader that performing tasks of ministry is not sufficient. The pastor must also be a man of personal integrity in his own walk with God.
Croft mentions two specific things he omits—evangelism and caring for the poor—saying that while “these are important responsibilities that are necessary to the health of any local church” he is focusing his attention on “the priorities of a shepherd’s ministry—the things that a pastor must do to care for God’s people in particular” (17, emphasis original). In addition, he has nothing to say about leading or administrating, tasks which seem to flow directly out of the biblical requirements for a pastor in 1 Timothy 3:4–5. Failure to address these topics weakens what is an otherwise excellent book. Leading and administrating are major concerns of the pastor for the overall health and growth of the flock. In a day where business models resonate with those desiring to pastor, biblical evaluation and instruction on this topic would serve pastors well. In a similar fashion, failing to devote specific space to evangelism seems to overlook Paul’s instructions to Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist,” however that might be understood. This is particularly true in a day where pastors might be increasingly tempted to wall themselves off from unbelievers by surrounding themselves with tasks internal to the church body. The pastoral obligations to evangelize and to lead are certainly biblical emphases and the reader would benefit from Croft’s perspectives on these topics.
Overall, The Pastor’s Ministry is extremely valuable for pastors at all levels. It is substantial without being overwhelming. For the new pastor or the one who aspires to pastoral ministry, this book provides an excellent introduction that will lay a foundation for future ministry. It will help a young pastor shape his thoughts and practices by seeing the biblical foundation for these tasks along with practical steps to implement in his regular schedule. It would enhance a pastoral internship or a leadership training structure in a local church that is serious about developing men for ministry. For more experienced pastors, and I write as one with two decades of experience, I find my own practices and habits at times confirmed (as I see him recommending things I already do), challenged (as I see him recommend things I need to do), and tweaked (as I see ideas that will improve my present practices). It is a relatively easy read that is written clearly written and structured well. I commend it as a very helpful resource for pastoral ministry for men at all stages of pastoral ministry.
