Shepherding the Pastor: Help for the Early Years of Ministry

Incredibly practical and helpful book for anyone in the ministry.

One of the best books on pastoral ministry I’ve ever read. Regardless of whether you’re new to ministry or seasoned this is a book you should read. The insights of both these men and their relationship are valuable. Very practical and Biblically based.

I haven't read a book this year that I didn't really enjoy. This book was incredible as well. It is filled with practical wisdom on focusing what is most important in pastoring. Preach the Word, love and shepherd the people well. I particularly loved the focus on creating a culture of discipleship and surrounding yourself with people who pour into you and people you need to be discipling.
Grateful for this work! Anyone aspiring to the work of an elder would benefit from this book. Anyone interested in a better understanding of what goes on between the ears of a pastor will enjoy it as well. Written from an experienced pastor discipling a young pastor who reflects on employing the advice given over time. Well done.

This is a great, conversational book about pastoring, leading change, loving God's people, and leading even in times of health and growth. If you're a pastor, check it out! Highly recommend!

Practical, insightful, and full of seasoned wisdom! Young pastors, and aspiring pastors, read and reflect slowly through this book.

Favorite quotes:

"Changes seem to happen most easily when a pastor is aiming for longevity" (55).

"The first couple of years are about the first couple of years, not about creating major changes" (57).

"A pastor may not spend his life in his first pastorate, but he should make sure that whenever he leaves, the congregation is in much better shape for the man who follows him" (ibid).

"Brief pastorates fail to tear down strong barriers. Churches long for pastors to stay, serve, love, and care for them until they begin to mirror Christ" (83).

"The consistent work needed for healthy growth is taxing because weeds grow much easier than seeds" (87).

"Like the plumber whose sink leaks or the investment banker with no savings, pastors can become so busy doing gospel work that we fail to apply the promises of the gospel in daily life. What a shame. What a contradiction" (97).

"The Lord is more interested in shaping you in his image than in your success" (99).

"... it's tempting to make the mission of the church something other than what Christ tells us it is" (132).

"If we're not living as his disciples, then whatever we plug in programmatically for the church to be disciples will fizzle" (141).

An incredibly helpful book for newer pastors. It is filled with practical wisdom without being pragmatic. The book bounces between a younger and older pastor. The younger pastor describes a problem he was facing and the older one recounts the wisdom he gave. I loved the focus on longevity. Most of the advice given inside has the aim of lasting for decades in the same church. Some pastoral books are helpful but place a burden on your shoulders. But, this book was an encouragement. I will need to periodically reread this one.

I read through this book with the pastoral staff at my church. This was incredible to think through as a young man going into vocational ministry. I appreciated the back and forth nature of the book as Newton and Shadden conveyed their wisdom.

Excellent “reality check” for young or aspiring pastors, with a great model of mentorship to follow. The book is written in a very engaging way between the mentor/mentee, and it is easy to see how the counsel from the mentor is applied. Easy, engaging, informative, and clearly God honoring. I think the best thing I saw is that almost all of the counsel provided by the mentor was: “focus on God’s word.” It was consistent and excellent.

Very helpful and encouraging for new and seasoned pastors alike. Worth reading and discussing with other pastors and/or leaders in the church.

An excellent book for the pastor new on his job and a needed refresher for the seasoned.

When a pastor finishes seminary, he has a knowledge of doctrine and has taken classes in the responsibilities of being a pastor. That preparation however, is a long way from knowing how to be a loving and effective pastor. Books can give only so much. Each congregation is different and probably won't fit into the seminary instruction's prescription anyway.

Mentoring can help. This book is not a how to for that kind of mentoring but rather a dialogue between an older pastor and the young pastor he mentored. Many areas are covered, such as interviewing, visiting the sick, not making any major changes until the third year (it takes that long to know your congregation), enduring a meeting where the vote will be about your future, and knowing when it's time to leave. Each chapter has comments from both men and then suggestions for facing the same kind of experience and books for further reading.

The strength of this book is the emotional impact of the mentoring dialogue. Counsel is offered by Phil, the seasoned pastor, and responses are made by Rich, the new pastor. New pastors will certainly resonate with the experiences discussed, such as some wanting you to be fired! How about the fellow who refused to come back to church because the sign board showing the attendance and offering had been taken down.

This book contains good back and forth comments on these and many more important issues for new pastors. While you will not get a precise strategy regarding the practice of receiving mentoring, you will see plenty of good wisdom and suggestions born out of experience. That Part 3 of the book is called “The Tumultuous Years” gives you an idea of the reality of the information. But this book is good for seasoned pastors too as it will encourage you to take a young pastor under your wing.

When a pastor finishes seminary, he has a knowledge of doctrine and has taken classes in the responsibilities of being a pastor. That preparation however, is a long way from knowing how to be a loving and effective pastor. Books can give only so much. Each congregation is different and probably won't fit into the seminary instruction's prescription anyway.

Mentoring can help. This book is not a how to for that kind of mentoring but rather a dialogue between an older pastor and the young pastor he mentored. Many areas are covered, such as interviewing, visiting the sick, not making any major changes until the third year (it takes that long to know your congregation), enduring a meeting where the vote will be about your future, and knowing when it's time to leave. Each chapter has comments from both men and then suggestions for facing the same kind of experience and books for further reading.

The strength of this book is the emotional impact of the mentoring dialogue. Counsel is offered by Phil, the seasoned pastor, and responses are made by Rich, the new pastor. New pastors will certainly resonate with the experiences discussed, such as some wanting you to be fired! How about the fellow who refused to come back to church because the sign board showing the attendance and offering had been taken down.

This book contains good back and forth comments on these and many more important issues for new pastors. While you will not get a precise strategy regarding the practice of receiving mentoring, you will see plenty of good wisdom and suggestions born out of experience. That Part 3 of the book is called “The Tumultuous Years” gives you an idea of the reality of the information. But this book is good for seasoned pastors too as it will encourage you to take a young pastor under your wing.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.