WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A PASTOR PB

Finding the right pastor is critical in the life of a church.

But most churches rely on the inexperienced and sometimes blinded pulpit committees, which often gamble with the selection of their candidates because they usually don’t have a clear understanding of biblical guidelines for choosing a pastor.

So how does a church find the right man for its pulpit? This book is designed to assist pastoral search committees by discussing the issues that surround six fundamental questions: Can the man preach effectively? What else should he do as pastor? Is he qualified? Is he theologically sound? Does his practical theology match his written theology? And how can a church find this man? Search committee members, church leaders, pastors who desire to keep the right balance between preaching and other shepherding responsibilities, and all who want to learn more about the role of a pastor will be helped by the clarity Brian Biedebach brings to this subject.

Endorsements
Perhaps no process in all of church life is more fraught with pitfalls and hazards than the task of choosing a new pastor. Pastoral search committees often consist of marginally-equipped lay people who are utterly inexperienced when it comes to examining a pastor and evaluating his giftedness. In many cases, members of search committees themselves could not pass the most elementary doctrinal exam, and they are often totally clueless about how to choose a pastor to lead and feed the flock. What to Look for in a Pastor is filled with sound advice and solid help for churches seeking pastors. Brian Biedebach’s book fills a void that has needed to be addressed for a very long time. I’m very grateful to DayOne for publishing this book.
Phil Johnson, Grace to you, USA

Target readership
- Pastoral search committees
- All preachers and those training for the Christian ministry
- Elders and deacons whose responsibility is to shepherd the flock
- People interested in the history of leadership in the church
- College and seminary classes about pastoral ministry
- Seminarians who desire to learn more about the role of a pastor

Features and benefits
- Addresses the matter of shepherding Christ’s flock
- Written by a man qualified with significant experience in the pastorate
- Helps committees to have clarity in a pastoral call
- Highly endorsed by John MacArthur, Phil Johnson and others
- Thorough approach to the matter

Chapter contents
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE - IS HE AN EXPOSITOR?
Is Expository Preaching Really Essential?
What is Expository Preaching?
Broad Definitions
Narrow Definitions
Middle Ground
Why is Expository Preaching so Important?
CHAPTER TWO - THE BALANCE OF RESPONSIBILITIES
What is Your Shepherd’s Goal?
What are the Biblical Responsibilities of a Shepherd?
A Good Shepherd Feeds His Flock
A Good Shepherd Watches Over His Sheep
A Good Shepherd Protects His Sheep
A Good Shepherd Guides His Sheep
A Good Shepherd Nurtures Sheep that are Suffering
A Good Shepherd Rescues Sheep that are Lost
A Good Shepherd Loves His Sheep A Word of Caution
CHAPTER THREE - THE CHARACTER OF THE MAN
Spiritual Reputation
Marital Fidelity
Faithful Parenting
Sum Characterization
He is Not Self-willed
He is Not Quick-tempered
He is Not Given to Wine
He is Not Violent-'Pugnacious'
He is Not Greedy for Money
He is Hospitable
He is a Lover of What is Good
He is Sober-minded-'Prudent'
He is Just
He is Holy (or Devout)
He is Self-controlled
His Commitment to Exhortation
Closing Remarks on Qualification
CHAPTER FOUR - THE THEOLOGY OF THE MAN
How to Identify Your Church’s Doctrinal Position
The Great Split Between the Liberals and the Fundamentalists
The Split Between the New Evangelicals and the Fundamentalists
Divisions within the Separatist Fundamentalists
Maxi Fundamentalists
Militant Fundamentalists
Moderate Fundamentalists
The Divisions within the New Evangelicals 1950’s - Today
Conservative Evangelicals
Mainline Evangelicals
Post-Conservative Evangelicals
Conclusions about Diversity in Doctrine
CHAPTER FIVE - WHERE IS HIS THEOLOGY, IN PRACTICE?
The Authority of Scripture
Creation
The Sovereignty of God
Man’s Responsibility for Sin
Styles of Worship in Music
What Biblical Worship in Song Should Be
What is Not Biblical in Music Ministry
Spiritual Gifts for Today
Apostles
Prophets
Teachers
Gift of Miracles
Gifts of Healings
Gift of Helps
Gift of Administration
Gift of Tongues
Closing Remarks on Practical Theology
CHAPTER SIX - HOW TO FIND YOUR PASTOR
The Committee Model
The Wrong People
The Wrong Criteria
The Wrong Examination Process
The Wrong Presentation
The Wrong Decision Makers
The Elder Model
Not Every Church Has Elders
Not All Elders Should Be Elders
The Trial-Period Model
It is Impractical
It is Uncomfortable
It Can Become Prolonged
The Home-Grown Model
Added Expense
Seminary Isn’t Enough for Everyone
Conclusions for Committees
Longer is Better
Family Matters
Dig Deeper
Compare Apples with Apples
Find Qualified Decision Makers
Don’t Expect the Unattainable
APPENDIX 'A' - DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
APPENDIX 'B' - QUESTIONS FOR A PROSPECTIVE PASTOR
APPENDIX 'C' - CLARITY IN A CALL BIBLIOGRAPHY

Pages: 208