Let's Read: The Path to Being a Pastor

Monday, 31st January 2022
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Let's Read: The Path to Being a Pastor by Bobby Jamieson

By Edwin Ewart

Finding good material on ministry themes is not an easy task as teachers and students alike will confirm. Therefore, when a volume examining ‘the path to being a pastor’ is published we need to give it due consideration. Jamieson promises to ‘provoke’ the reader and does so from the outset stating his intention to set aside the language of ‘calling’ in favour of ‘aspiring’. Examining the various internal and external elements in this aspiring (or calling) the author helpfully casts light, in the main, on the challenging qualifications of the elder/pastor.

The arguments enlisted for jettisoning the language of ‘calling’ are at first glance compelling. However, the author himself, is prepared to qualify his enthusiasm in this regard recognising that it is better to be ‘more concerned about the posture than the phrasing’. Arguably, it matters little what terminology we use since both calling and/or aspiration need to be proved or disproved in a prayerful disposition and submission to wise counsel, in particular that of church leadership.

The vitality of a humble spirit and a heart of wisdom in discerning God’s will in this matter is especially stressed in two chapters. The issue of ability is of course crucial and is well-nuanced here, showing that God calls and equips his servants, but not in the absence of character which occupies a prominent place in the virtues he commends.

On qualifications, chapter 4 is incredibly useful not least for comparing and contrasting the contemporary church’s estimation of ministry with the depiction in the pastoral letters. Against wrongheaded understandings, the author commends NT qualifications as a compass which will provide a sure guide for navigation of a sense of call.

Three questions for the called/aspiring:

  1. How would you describe your sense of call/aspiration to pastoral ministry?

  2. Would anyone in your circle of family or friends be surprised to hear that you have a sense of call/aspire to be a pastor?

  3. Are there character flaws that could potentially undermine your pursuit of pastoral ministry?

    Blog Archive

Let’s Read Irish Baptist College Conference (Online) From Intern to Undergraduate (Emily Middleton) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Reason for Redemption Baptists and Revival in the Long 18th Century Second Year Placements From Intern to Undergraduate (Josh Brown) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The What and Why of Holiness Final Year During A Pandemic 2nd Year Placement Experience Friends of the College 2021 Update The Art of Reading More Books Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Real Possibility of Holiness A Basic Easter Fact The Servant King Podcast Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — You Are Holy Third Year Reflection Gospel Guardians: Protecting the Purity of the Gospel for Future Generations Graduation 2021 Book Review: Succeeding at Seminary Let's Read: The Hole in Our Holiness — A Work in Progress Why the Irish Baptist College is Vital to the Health of the Association A Good News Story: The Ministry Partnership Scheme Why Study the Biblical Languages? Profit in Toil: A Short Message on A Level Results Day Let's Read: Small Preaching Recognition Service Report 2021 Sin Forgiven: Nourishment for Life and Joy for Living Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Character of the Preacher Commencement Service Report Placement Friends of the College Update God Rejoices over His People: A Meditation on Zephaniah 3:17 Let’s Read: Small Preaching—Constructing the Sermon Evangelism Teams: Newcastle and Brannockstown Evangelism Teams: Stonepark and North Belfast Christian Fellowship First Year Reflections (Reuben and Andrew) Some New Books Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Craft of Preaching Let's Read: Small Preaching—What is God Saying? A Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘The coming of the light’ Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘Life, Light & Glory’
Time to read Genesis...again Friends of the College - January 2020 Friends of the College - January 2020 Finances Tribute to Marion Craig The Resilient Pastor: Surviving & Thriving in Ministry Just a Blow-in? What is new on the shelves at IBC? Friends of the College - February 2020 Four Reasons to Study Theology Academically From Spain to Moira Testimonial Financial Update Friends of the College – March 2020 Irish Baptist Historical Society: The Mayflower Thomas Patient: the Father of the Irish Baptist Church Testimonials The Pastors’ Conference: An Encouraging Privilege Testimonials (part-time studies) In the worst of times: COVID-19 and the Book of Ruth Friends of the College - April 2020 The Long Wait: Victory Delayed Testimonials - Preparation for Ministry and Evening Classes The Leadership Podcast Testimonials - Ladies Study Fellowship The Leadership Podcast (part 2) Friends of the College - May 2020 Reflections from the Student Chairman Why do we teach the Old Testament? Reflections on first year at IBC Friends of the College - June 2020 Why do we teach Romans? IBC Placement Is Church History a Thing of the Past? Friends of the College - July 2020 Friends of the College – August 2020 Friends of the College September 2020 Recognition and Graduation Service Introducing the Irish Baptist College’s New Logo Commencement Service Friends of the College - October 2020 Filled with the Spirit: Soundings in Luke’s Theology of the Holy Spirit The Famous Five: The Abiding Relevance of the Solas of the Reformation Friends of the College - November 2020 The Importance of Theological Training in Fulfilling the Great Commission First Year Reflections — Tim Houston Singing: The Place of Theology in Corporate Worship New Library Books Friends of the College – Unite to Pray – December Christmas Reflections
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