Practical Pastoring: WHAT I WISH PASTORS KNEW ABOUT MINISTRY

Introduction to Practical Pastoring By Steve Scoggins

Are you looking for practical help in the ministry?

If you want to learn how to write a good sermon in a shorter amount of time, if you want to learn how to deal with difficult or demanding people, if you want to know how to change your church without losing your church, this book is for you. One seminary professor taught his students that they should spend one hour in sermon preparation for every minute they are in the pulpit preaching that sermon. That is not possible for pastors who are facing the multitude of demands placed upon them not only by Bible, but also by the expectations of their people.

This book is written by a pastor who spent 50 years in full time ministry. He served churches of all sizes, from 50 in attendance to over 3000 in attendance. Everyone of his churches saw tremendous growth. As he approached retirement, he felt he needed to pass on insights he had learned about being an effective pastor. Practical Pastoring not only contains valuable help for ministry but is filled with autobiographical stories from the author’s many years of ministry.

In this book you will find practical help in areas such as visiting the hospitals, caring for the dying and doing funerals and weddings that are personal and meaning for those for whom they are held. “Practical pastoring” also deals with areas not often taught pastors in their ministerial training. Look at the titles of the chapters in this book: There is more than one way to experience a call from God. You have to be both a pastor and a preacher. A pastor’s plans will constantly be interrupted. Pastors need good people skills. Keeping a church healthy involves more than beginning new programs and ministries. Pastors need to keep growing and changing in the ways they do ministry. Pastors face a constant battle with discouragement. How to prepare a good sermon in a short amount of time. How to do Pastoral Care in hospital visits, caring for the dying and doing personalized funerals. How to do Pastor Care in weddings and pastoral counseling. Your success or failure as a pastor will be impacted by the team you build around you. How to help churches make needed changes. Your goal is to finish your ministry well. About the Author: Steve Scoggins served churches in Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina. While serving in North Carolina, he also trained future Christian leaders at the Fruitland Baptist Bible College in Hendersonville, North Carolina. He was also privileged to serve as the president of the North Carolina Baptist Convention.