Equipped for Good Work: A Guide for Pastors

By Joe Cothen, Joseph H. Cothen, Joe H. Cothen

Book Overview

Recognising that as a fact of life in the typical church program, Dr Joseph H Cothen, a pastor for over a quarter of a century, and professor of pastoral work at the New Orleans Baptist Theological... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0882892711
• ISBN13: 9780882892719
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: Pelican Pub Co Inc
• Length: 335 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.3" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Are you a pastor? Really ?

This is a book about pastoral ministry. It is written to guide both new and experienced ministers in their everyday pastoral work. The book includes many suggestions and advices on different aspects of church building and administration. Having lived the life of a pastor for more than 40 years and as a professor of pastoral work at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Cothen brings firsthand experience with each of his topics. The book consists of 16 chapters as outlined below that also highlight the major contents of the book. I will attempt to present under each chapter where possible the points that intrigue me. Chapter 1 ¡V The Pastor and His Work X Jeremiah had been set aside for ministry before he was born (Jeremiah 1:5). God is firm in His mind for each of us from the beginning of life to its end. Refusals to do God¡¦s will lead to the waste of much native endowments (pp.5-6) X A strong and secure family base is essential for the effective pastoral work (pp.7) X Because a man is called of God does not always mean that he is accepted by all people (pp.9). But, there are things known to him that can be shared with no one but God (pp.16) Chapter 2 ¡V The Building of the Church X The pastor not only must be well grounded theologically on the doctrine of the church, but he must also knowledgeable in the practical/real life aspects of the church such as church immediate environment, different functions and ministries (pp.22) Chapter 3 ¡V Communication in the Church X The more knowledgeable the pastor becomes about human response the better able is the Holy Spirit to use him (pp.40) X Without a high level of personal integrity and mutual respect, cooperation within the group becomes impossible (pp.47) Chapter 4 ¡V A Pastorate from Start to Finish X To be a successful pastor of a church, the pastor must begin well, proceed with care and compassion, and terminate with Christian grace (pp.56) Chapter 5 ¡V The Need for Pastoral Preaching X To take human weakness in one hand and divine power in the other and bring them together through a strong pulpit ministry is the consuming passion of a faithful pastor (pp.84) Chapter 6 ¡V The Planned Preaching Ministry X With the Bible before him and an awareness of where his people are in their spiritual lives, a pastor can plan a preaching program that will enhance personal and church growth (pp.98). X The pulpit sets the pace and direction for church programming. When the pastor knows where he is going, the church finds it much easier to follow (pp.99) Chapter 7 ¡V Pastoral Evangelism X Society is success oriented, and the church is not exempted from the expectation. But, the pastor shall not simply make this the driving force behind his efforts. He must retreat to the privacy of the secret prayer chamber and listen again to God (pp.125-126) X A climate of love, concern and mutual helpfulness is needed in the church if people are to be reached for Christ and nurtured in His love