They Call Me Pastor: How to Love the Ones You Lead

by H. B. Jr. London, Neil B. Wiseman

Overview

"Pastor. What a beautiful word. What a unique relationship it conveys. . . . Each time someone calls me pastor, I am awestruck. . . . It humbles me, but I am grateful. There is no higher privilege than being a pastor." So writes H.B. London, who once again joins with his frequent collaborator Neil Wiseman to encourage and inspire church leaders with their most passionate, stirring book to date. They Call Me Pastor is an unabashed celebration of the deeply felt bond between a pastor and the congregation he serves—a testimony to the love of God and the miracles it can work in the lives of a shepherd and his flock if only God's love is shared and allowed to flourish.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801017902
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/02/2000
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

H. B. London Jr. is vice president of church, clergy, and medical outreach for Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A fourth-generation minister, he was a pastor for 31 years before joining Focus on the Family. He was the former host of a daily radio program, Lifeline to Truth, in Salem, Oregon, and in the Los Angeles area, as well as host of a weekly television program, A New Way to Live, in Portland, Oregon. He is the coauthor, with Neil B. Wiseman, of Pastors at Greater Risk, For Kids' Sake, and The Shepherd's Covenant for Pastors.

Neil B. Wiseman is a veteran pastor, clergy educator, writer, editor, and small church consultant. Perhaps his foremost passion in life and ministry has been the development of pastors. He has been a pastors' advocate through his writings, editing, and publication of more than thirty books. He has also worked in the area of pastoral development in clergy education at Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Wiseman founded the quarterly magazine GROW; was the founder of Preaching Today, a monthly audio sermon resource now produced by Christianity Today; founded and directed Small Church Institute; and served as pastor to local congregations for twenty years.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Love Your People to Greatness 10

Section 1 The Shepherd Who Loves and Leaves a Legacy

I'll Love You Forever 16

"Pastor"-What a Beautiful Word 21

Offer a Holy Presence 25

They Won't Change Unless They Trust You 31

Isn't It Enough to Be Anointed? 38

You Matter to Me 45

Revival at the Grass Roots 51

The Grief of Leaving 58

Section 2 The Counselor Who Cares and Confronts

People-The Church's Reason for Being 64

Treasures in Broken Vessels 71

Is All the Deadwood Really Dead? 78

More Easily Preached Than Lived 82

The Amazing Power of Peacemaking 88

Admit It-Change Is Scary! 93

Caring Referrals to Christian Counselors 98

Section 3 The Leader Who Trusts Through Triumph and Tragedy

Lessons Learned Through Tragedies and Trials 106

Transforming Obstacles into Opportunities 111

Character Really Matters 117

Hunger for Power Shrivels the Soul 124

The Pastoral Perspective on Abortion 130

Lonely but Never Alone 136

Don't Become a Castaway 142

You Are Not Always in Control 148

Section 4 The Minister Who Loves at Home

The Legacy You Leave 156

The Model for the Next Generation 160

Loving Best the Most Important People 165

Give Yourself a Great Marriage 173

Section 5 In Partnership with the Father

Dare to Dream Great Dreams 182

The Pursuit of Personal Holiness 188

Christlikeness-A Marvelous Magnetism 194

A Generous God Honors Extravagance 198

Keeping Your Sabbath Holy 204

Are You Sure You Want What You Think You Want? 211

Two More Compelling Legacies 216

Maximizing Your Church's Spiritual Potential 221

Growing Your Church God's Way 225

Section 6 The Never-Say-Die Pastor Who Impacts the Third Millennium

Magnificent Opportunities in the New Century 230

Docs "Dear Abby" Preaching Help Anyone? 234

Call a Truce to the Worship Wars 239

Standing Before Ahab 244

Honor Your Coworkers 249

It's Time to Go Public 255

Adding Value When They Come to Church 260

The Magic Hope of Christmas 264

His Hand Was the Only One Available 269

Epilogue: For the Sake of New Beginnings 276