Lexham Ministry Guides – serie

A Better Way to Choose and Train Your Next Pastor· Offers a new perspective on the qualifications for ministry· Practical help to identify a potential future pastor within the church· Advice for mentoring and trainingIn too many church cultures, potential pastors are identified primarily by their intelligence, giftedness, or willingness. Instead, Jared C. Wilson sees the Bible emphasizing the character, spiritual maturity, and Christlikeness of congregational leaders. These characteristics are best discerned and cultivated in the context of a local church. In Pastoral Mentoring: For the Care of Souls, Wilson argues that, while formal theological education plays an important role, the local church is uniquely equipped to train its shepherds. This book empowers pastors and church leaders to identify and mentor future ministers right where they are.

A Guide to Congregational Worship Shaped by the Church's Rich HistoryWorship begins not with what you offer but with what you receive: God's life, given to you through his Word and sacraments. That's why the structure of corporate worship matters--it shapes how you gather, hear the gospel, and receive Christ's gifts.In Worship and Liturgy, Paul J. Grime helps ministry leaders think theologically and practically about the shape of Christian worship. Addressing preaching, prayer, the lectionary, the sacraments, and more, Grime shows how historic liturgy serves the gospel--directing hearts away from human effort and toward Christ's saving work. This is a book for:● Church planters designing worship from the ground up who want to build on the church's historic foundations rather than starting from scratch● Established pastors seeking renewal in long-established congregations who want to recover the theological depth that liturgy was designed to carry● Worship leaders and seminary students who want a concise, theologically grounded framework for understanding why the structure of the service matters--and how to lead it with greater clarity and convictionWorship and Liturgy is part of the Lexham Ministry Guides series--a trusted collection of concise, practitioner-oriented resources for pastoral ministry--alongside companion volumes on preaching, evangelism, funerals, and more.Liturgy is not merely an order of service. It is the life-giving work of Christ, who laid down his life for the benefit of the whole world. Worship and Liturgy will help you lead it as such.

Inviting others into God's good work· Learn how to empower laity in leadership· Understand a theology of leadership· Gain practical wisdom for your own contextThe church is ordered so that good can run wild. God appoints leaders to commission the laity in the church's ministry and mission. Pastors and ministry leaders serve and organize the church in such a way that people in their care can pursue their unique gifts.In Lay Leadership: For the Care of Souls, Aaron Perry empowers pastors to empower laity in leadership. Perry helps leaders recognize the challenges and pursue the opportunities in sharing vision, inviting participation, delegating roles and responsibilities, and equipping people for sustained ministry. With theological structure and practical wisdom, Perry provides a foundational theology of the laity and specific actions for leaders to apply in their own context.