The Lutheran Handbook has engaged countless Christians in their everyday faith with a distinctive blend of seriousness and humor. Now The Lutheran Handbook for Pastors does the same for pastors! This book captures all the essential information any pastor needs close at hand to prevail in any circumstance and have a good chuckle along the way: How to Support and Empower the Church Council without Becoming a Dictator or a Wallflower, Luther's Five Biggest Pastoral Dilemmas and How He Handled Them, Ten Things You Should Never Say to a Parishioner, How to Recover from Christmas and Easter Overload, How to Preach a Stewardship Sermon without Sounding Like You Are Begging for a Raise, How to Keep Both Your Job and Your Family, How to Use Your Family Members as Sermon Illustrations without Alienating Them or Boring the Congregation, How to Retire from Ministry Gracefully, ...plus dozens of other illustrations, diagrams, and essential tips! Book jacket.

Prepared in a style similar to the Survivor's Guide books, The Presbyterian Handbook provides historical and theological information about Presbyterian beliefs alongside fun-filled facts and practical tips on being a churchgoing follower of Jesus Christ. Complete with illustrations, the book presents a wonderful combination of vast truths, complex details, and bits of humor about Presbyterian understanding of the Christian life. This unique and incredibly handy resource is perfect for Presbyterian youth, adults, students, families, and all those interested in learning about much of what encompasses life in the church.

Pastors are tasked with the incredibly demanding job of caring for the spiritual, emotional, and, at times‚ physical needs of their people. While seminary is helpful preparation for many of the challenges pastors face, there’s far more to pastoral ministry than what can be covered in the classroom. Designed as a reference guide for nearly every situation a pastor will face, this comprehensive book by seasoned pastors Kent Hughes and Doug O’Donnell is packed full of biblical wisdom and practical guidance related to the reality of pastoral ministry in the trenches. From officiating weddings to conducting funerals to visiting the sick, this book will equip pastors and church leaders with the knowledge they need to effectively minister to their flocks, both within the walls of the church and beyond.

Updated 2022 Edition In this highly useful book, Earl S. Johnson, Jr. explores the role of the deacon in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The author explains the freedom for churches to define the roles of deacons while also supplying many helpful suggestions. Johnson examines the ministry as it is described in sections of the Book of Order and analyzes how the word "deacon" is used in Scripture. In addition, Johnson provides historical information regarding the inclusion of women and offers innovative ways to incorporate the ministry of deacons into the larger ministry of the church. Fully revised based on the new Form of Government of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), this book is invaluable for new deacons preparing for their roles, while also helping pastors and leaders who are training prospective deacons.