After 50 Years of Ministry: 7 Things I'd Do Differently and 7 Things I'd Do the Same
“If I had my entire life to live over, I’d choose to be a preacher again. It’s been extremely rewarding and gratifying.
But I could do ministry a lot better if given a second try. As I look back on my forty years at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY, I wish I had a mulligan. This book lists seven things I’d do differently and seven I’d do about the same. They are written in hopes they’ll be a source of encouragement for those growing weary and losing heart. I pray my observations will inspire others to conclude, ‘If he can do it, I can, too.’
In this book I share both the joys and sorrows of my ministry, both the successes and failures. I’m going to be as transparent as possible in hopes that it will encourage ministers to stand firm in the faith and be faithful unto death. If just one minister is motivated to pick up the sword of the Spirit and re-enter the battle, it will be well worth the effort.”
— Bob Russell
From the Back Cover
"If you read this book at age 70, you’ll nod. If you read it at age 45, you’ll make mid-course corrections. If you read it at age 25, you will avoid a world of hurt."
—Dr. John Chandler, Spence Network
"I hope every minister of the gospel, young and old, profits from the wisdom in this book."
—R. Albert Mohler, president, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
"This book is a gold mine . . . It captures the best of Bob."
—Max Lucado, pastor and bestselling author
"If I could only recommend one book on practical pastoral leadership, it would be this one."
—Kyle Idleman, author, Not a Fan, pastor, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY
"Bob is the real deal and candidly shares what to do and what not to do."¿
—Dave Stone, senior pastor, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY
Top Highlights
“Fear of tomorrow robs today of its joy. Fear makes us irritable and inhibits our personalities. Fear stifles the Holy Spirit in our lives. Fear minimizes leadership effectiveness. Fear blinds us to the goodness of God. Corrie ten Boom said, ‘Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows. It empties today of its strength.’” (source)
“Humility is not self-consciousness; humility is discovering what gifts God has given to you and using them wholeheartedly for His glory, not your own.” (source)
“Some mistakenly interpret insecurity as humility, but the two are vastly different. Insecurity is self-centered, while humility is God-centered.” (source)
“‘When God calls us, we cannot refuse from a sense of inadequacy. Nobody is worthy of such trust.’1” (source)
“Most preachers would be wise to eliminate marital counseling. The majority of moral failures can be traced back to intimate conversations that surfaced while discussing marriage problems. The initial temptation is usually more ego driven than sexually driven. It’s not physical attraction but emotional identification that plants the seeds for an affair.” (source)
"This should be required reading for every seminarian who intends to pastor. An inspiring and thoughtful review of the best and worst of ministry. Easy to read but deep and insightful."
Reviewed by Rosa Smith on NetGalley, Apr 12, 2016
Product Details
- Title : After 50 Years of Ministry: 7 Things I'd Do Differently and 7 Things I'd Do the Same
- Authors:
- Russell, Bob
- Graham, Jack N
- Publisher: Moody Publishers
- Publication Date: 2016
- ISBN: 9780802493712