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A friend recently asked me for a list of books on Pastoring. Honestly, I have found very few that are worth our time. Here is are the few I have found:
Darrin Patrick on Eldering and Pastoring
The Reformed Pastor, Richard Baxter
Pastoral Trilogy by Eugene Peterson (Angles, Stones, Plant)
On Church Leadership, Driscoll
Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, Piper
The Art of Pastoring, Hansen
This is something I have wrestled with for some time. As a short-term overseas missionary and friend of many long-term overseas missionaries, I have struggled in labeling all my missional buddies in the U.S. as “missionaries.” Perhaps this is a pride-infused hold over from Christendom models of mission or perhaps it springs from a deep respect for those who cross cultural and linguistic barriers that rise much higher than those of domestic “missionary” activity. Let’s face it, church planting in the U.S. is hard but very often it is not cross-cultural or cross-linguistic. In fact, it is very often close-cultural and close-linguistic. The men and women who surrender such cultural and linguistic comforts for the sake of the gospel are missionaries of a different stripe. Very often, they are those who risk and give their lives for the sake of the gospel, and are given special honor in Scripture (Rev 6; 3 John 1.6-7).
Ross Appleton, missionary in preparation to the Middle East, has claimed that “missionaries get too much press” and that they should not be treated as a “spiritual elite.” Ross has some good, God-centered thoughts on the whole enterprise and motivation for mission. I have debated this larger issue of missionary nomenclature for domestic disciples at greater length based on Chris Wright’s definitions of “mission” and “missionary” here. Though I have embraced being a missional disciple, a missionary in Austin, I still retain a deep respect for those who have sacrificed much more than I have.
The Church Basement Roadshow will be in Austin July 19. Read more about it.
Our trip to Vail, Colorado for the annual Acts 29 Pastors & Wives retreat was outstanding. Robie and I were refreshed by the scheduling of generous personal time, as well as by the nourishing relationships with other planters and wives. We discovered that A29 is not only a network but a family. Gary and Betsy Ricucci led two session on marriage, which were honest, gospel-centered and helpful.
Each morning I enjoyed a walk along Gore Creek, which was more like a rushing river, nestled against the base of the Vail mountains. It was here that I experienced significant, personal renewal, as the Creator reminded me of his lavish love and grace that constantly flows towards us and through us in Jesus. I found myself singing “The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus,” a hymn that seemed to give words to the watery images around me:
Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus vast unmeasured, boundless free
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of thy love
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee (listen here)
Check out my post on the topic here.
In my sermon on Ezekiel 36 this Sunday, I attempted to integrate themes of exile from Scripture, LOST, and personal relationships. Have a listen if you like….here.
I will be out for the next four days in Vail, CO at the Acts 29 Pastors and Wives Retreat for some overdue time of refreshment and relaxation. Acts 29 is so cool–they are paying for all the expenses except airfare! We really anticipate whats in store, spiritually, relationally, culturally and so on. Probably grab a couple Flying Dog ales…last time I was in Vail they were pretty good. Wish you were there…well, no I don’t, just me and my wife! 
Here are three insights shared by Tim Keller in a luncheon I attended several years ago:
- Young preachers spend too much time on sermons and not enough time with people.
- Arguing with your wife about ministry makes it “our ministry.”
- Prayer life is critical, evening and morning.
Let’s heed this wisdom.
Met some winsome planters today who are doing an organic plant in Buda with the Lutheran Church called The Well.
HT: Doug Wolter
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