Sunday, December 25, 2005

Pastoral Theology

If you're looking for some practical resources on pastoral theology, the audio clips provided by Mark Dever at 9Marks are an incredible resource. Here's their description of The Essential Audio Tools for Your Ministry:


Ever wish you could call a seasoned pastor for some quick practical advice? Here’s an assortment of 5 minute audio clips of Mark Dever answering everyday pastoral questions, from studying for sermons to conducting weddings. They’re organized topically, so think of them like tools in a toolbox. Go ahead…rifle through – and feel free to take a few home for your own workshop. What’s ours is yours.


The topics and questions are as follows:

Studying

Question: What kind of books should a pastor buy first?

Question: Do you think personal Bible Study should be different from sermon prep?


Preaching

Question: How do you decide what to preach on Next?

Question: How do you plan a sermon?


Discipling

Question: How do you handle parents who want their children baptized?

Question: How do you disciple someone?

Question: How do you promote intergenerational fellowship?

Question: What makes you think that a whole-church Bible Study is such a good idea?

Question: How do you conduct baptisms?

Question: How do you administer church discipline?

Question: How do you use small groups in your church?

Question: How do you counsel women?

Question: How do you counsel engaged couples?

Question: How do you counsel the grieveing?

Question: Your church reads the church covenant aloud before taking communion. Why?

Question: How do you conduct business meetings?

Question: How do you develop a budget?

Question: How do you revise a constitution?

Question: How do you appoint new elders?

Question: How do you choose associate staff?

Question: How do you remove inactive members?

Praying

Question: How do you pray for other churches?

Question: How do you pray publicly?

Question: How do you seek to model prayer for members as their pastor?


Worshipping

Question: How do you plan a Sunday Morning Service?

Question: Why do you view weddings as worship gatherings?

Question: Give us a 60 second overview of what happens at a normal CHBC funeral.


Pastoring

Question: How do you handle baby dedications?

Question: What kind of questions do you ask in the membership interview?

Question: How do you care for home-bound seniors?

Question: How do you care for members out of the area?

Question: How do churches find good pastors?

Question: How do aspiring pastors find hopeful church situations?

Question: How can prospective pastors best use the time leading up to a new pastorate?

Question: How can prospective pastors think wisely about financial matters?

Question: What do you think are some important disclosures that a prospective pastor ought to make to the church he's candidating with?

Question: What are some ways pastoral candidates can shepherd congregations even before becoming their pastor?

Question: How can new pastors of smaller churches best use their time?

Question: What do you think about time off for the pastor?

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