This book is a must-read for all associate ministers and their spouses. Additionally, pastors would benefit greatly from Rev. Dr. Hopewell's insights into the thinking of associate ministers and would find this book helpful as a training and teaching tool for their associates.

The Associate Minister is often like a lost ball in high weeds in the Black Baptist Church. Since the Associate most always has no official designation within the church, most don't know where they fit. At times, we have not known what to do with them. This manual is designed to help guide and develop the Associate to prepare for effective ministry and line up with the vision of the House.

This manual was created for Christian pastors and laity. The purpose of the authors is singular: publish a manual that can be used by African-American preachers and church leaders of every background and every educational level. The manual is the only one of its kind. It provides a list of more than 50 entities and organizations that can be called upon to help pastors and lay leaders carry out effective ministry. An extensive list of helpful books is also included. Users will find the manual easy to read, easy to follow, and easy to implement. It will enable ministers and lay leaders to save time on research, organize their presentations, and provide internal and external ministry. The book also contains important advice on how to handle internal church crises and external emergencies, press and media inquiries, and compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations. Information on how to develop and utilize standard protocols for Church operations is also included. The manual covers many of the major ceremonies, rituals, and practices of the 21st-century Christian Church. It addresses traditional and non-traditional issues faced by the modern Church, including, but not limited to, church administration, the work of twenty-first-century deacons and trustees, bi-vocational pastoring, rape trauma, suicide, substance abuse disorders, the prison-industrial complex, and so much more. In addition to providing guidance on many non-traditional issues, the manual includes step-by-step instructions for baptisms, weddings, funerals, infant dedications, and ordinations. It also includes much-needed information regarding the training of associate ministers and other church leaders. This is a desk reference. However, wherever they are, pastors and lay leaders can download the manual to their tablets, for ease of use. The manual can be used by lay leaders in every department of the Church and can be used by a variety of denominations. Further, it meets the holistic needs of the modern pastor who is faced with a myriad of tasks, parishioners needs, and societal concerns. Readers who purchase the hard-copy of the book can download several, extremely helpful, full-sized forms that are only in the tablet/e-book version. Go to http: //HowToDoMinistry.com to download the forms.

The Associate Minister's Handbook is the tool every associate minister must have in their possession. Bishop Willis speaks to the associate who has received the call to the rank of clergy and is in need of standard protocol in the position. It is this handbook that will provide keen insight to assist every associate with the "to do's" in ministry. From the 12 Nevers that an associate should never do to what to do to prepare to preach. The Associate Minister's Handbook responds to the call to help any associate in their development and growth. The Associate Minister's Handbook is a book that has researched the role of an associate from a historical perspective and assists any associate to function in the practical. Whether it's what to wear in the pulpit, what to do when visiting a church, or whether it's time to submit your resignation, The Associate Minister's Handbook is available to help provide guidance to those who serve in this leadership capacity.

Dr. Ernestine Battle designed this manual to help identify some of the most basic principles of servant leadership, out of an experience of years as a "participating-observer" in a ministry that did not have a formal training program for its leaders. Every church should have quality people; those who lead, encourage, and direct others to become even greater and more effective Christians. The church needs more women and men who are prepared to lead.This training manual provides extensive research on servant leadership, a curriculum of basic and foundational courses to help develop and grow ministry leaders.