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Called to Pastoral Ministry? A Few Questions to Ask:

from Church Planter by Darrin Patrick

How should the church test whether or not a man is called into pastoral ministry from a skill perspective? There are at least two tests a church should consider.

The first test involves the man’s understanding of Scripture. Questions like these should be asked:

  1. Does he have a working knowledge of the whole of Scripture?
  2. Can he articulate the gospel story throughout the Scripture?
  3. Does he understand the controversial verses that have caused division in church history? (Calvinism vs. Arminianism, method, mode of baptism, and so on)
  4. Can he explain the Christ-centered nature of Christian theology?

The second test involves inspecting the fruit of his ministry. Questions like:

  1. Can he inspire the church for mission?
  2. Can he cast vision for the church and inspire people to pursue that vision with him?
  3. Can he organize the church to reach its goals?
  4. Can he set up systems and structures that run apart from his direct influence?

Explore more in Church Planter: The Man, The Message, The Mission.

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January 3, 2012 | Posted in: Church Planting,Leadership,Preaching and Teaching | Author: Crossway Staff @ 8:53 am | 0 Comments »

Who in the World is Using the ESV Study Bible?

As a Christian publisher, we believe it’s our primary task to get the right resources into the right hands, all for the glory of God. We don’t always hear about the books and Bibles that end up with those who need them around the world, but it’s deeply encouraging when those stories make their way back to us.

If you’re reading this, you’re likely surrounded by a wealth of content that can grow your faith: books, specialty Bibles, websites, blogs, sermons, podcasts, conferences, and classes. This is certainly not the case everywhere in the world. Pastors in many areas faithfully disciple their congregations and share the gospel in their communities, all without access to any formal training or much in the way of printed resources. Yet the work they’re doing is critically important, and occasionally we’re able to find specific ways to support them in their ministry.

One such example is The Global Leadership Institute, an organization that provides training for African pastors and promotes church-planting in North and West Africa. Pastors attend two-week training seminars in Bo, Sierra Leone, each year for three years. Since GLI’s inception, Crossway has had the privilege of providing each pastor with an ESV Study Bible. Long-time readers of the blog may remember our first post on GLI in 2009.

In a very real sense, you’re partnering to make these sorts of initiatives possible anytime you buy a Crossway book or ESV Bible, or through our missional rewards program, Crossway Impact.

And this week, we wanted to create a fun way for you to join us in giving thanks and sharing with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.  We’re calling it simply “Give Thanks, Give Bibles.” This Thanksgiving week, for every “like” of Crossway’s Facebook page, we’ll put $1 towards distributing Bibles to Christians in the Global South.

Thanks for helping us spread the Word!

Below: pastors in Sierra Leone receive ESV Study Bibles at a Global Leadership Institute seminar.


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November 23, 2011 | Posted in: ESV,Leadership,Ministries | Author: Andrew Tebbe @ 1:00 pm | 0 Comments »

Video: Practical Tips and Tools for Lasting as a Leader (Part 2)

Dave Kraft continues his discussion with Doug Wilson (pastor at Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho) about his book, Leaders who Last, as well as his upcoming book Mistakes Leaders Make.

  • 0:23 – The genesis of Leaders who Last
  • 2:50 – Kraft’s second book is in the works: Mistakes Leaders Make
  • 4:26 – Resources available on davekraft.org
  • 7:22 – Books Kraft highly recommends

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September 19, 2011 | Posted in: Leadership | Author: Lindsay Tully @ 2:00 pm | 0 Comments »

Video: Doug Wilson Interviews Dave Kraft on Leadership

Doug Wilson (pastor at Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho) interviews Dave Kraft (author of Leaders Who Last) about Christian leadership. Watch the full video below or skip ahead to some key highlights:

  • 0:22 – Dave defines leadership
  • 2:23 – The difference between a leader and a manager
  • 4:36 – How do managers sometimes get in the way or fail?
  • 5:34 – How can a leader sin against a manager?
  • 6:30 – Respectful dependence of administrators and visionaries
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| Posted in: Leadership | Author: Lindsay Tully @ 11:31 am | 0 Comments »

Videos: Church Planting Panel from The Gospel Coalition Pre-Conference

Over the past couple weeks we’ve been posting videos from the Church Planting Panel pre-conference at The Gospel Coalition. Here are the links in case you missed any of them:

Additional Questions from the Audience:

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July 22, 2011 | Posted in: Church Planting,Leadership | Author: Angie Cheatham @ 12:00 pm | (2) Comments »