On Being a Pastor: Understanding Our Calling and Work

As a pastor, you shoulder unique responsibilities. While you care for God's people, you must also nurture your own spiritual life---or everybody loses! In this insightful guide, Prime and Begg offer advice on the spiritual and practical aspects of ministry, including prayer, devotional habits, preaching, and specific pastoral duties. Foreword by Dr. Al Mohler. 320 pages, softcover from Moody.

This book presents a bold and beautiful picture of the character and spiritual life of a pastor. Originally written by Derek Prime as Pastors and Teachers (1989), Alistair Begg’s contribution serves as an incredible enhancement to the book. Both authors of this revised, expanded edition of Prime’s work are seasoned pastors. And their wisdom is strewn throughout every page.

While it is a rich treat to be able to walk beside these men as they wander through what the Bible says a pastor is to be and do, it is an added privilege to be let in on the relationship that these men have with each other. At times, this reviewer felt as though he were transported into a living room with a warmly lit fire, listening to these old friends chat about the task that God had called them to give their lives over to.

While the book moves through the biblical descriptions of a pastor, it is laden with entire pages where it is either Prime or Begg writing, commenting on what has already been said, making current application of the principles in each of their own lives. In these special parts of the book (which occur throughout), it is the seasoned wisdom of godly pastors that readers are able to observe. Moreover, they speak as men who have lived out the principles they are writing about. It is not theoretical pastoral musings, these men are authentic shepherds who know their calling and want to discharge their duty to the best of their abilities, by grace. Most often when the writers interject their personal thoughts and comments, Prime is followed by Begg. The comments made in this order marvelously show forth a symphonic order, granting glimpses into the authors’ relationship, showing Begg like a student, carefully learning from his former pastor and mentor. Begg was Prime’s ministry assistant while the latter was pastoring at Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh, Scotland. The book shows how that early relationship made such an enormous impact on Begg’s subsequent life and ministry.

This book is not a manual about the nuts and bolts of pastoral ministry. It is about the biblical principles that separate a godly pastor from a mere professional minister, while offering practical tips throughout. Therefore, I would highly recommend this work to any pastor who is seeking to grow spiritually in his role as a shepherd, or any seminary student on his way to becoming a pastor. – Jason Sexton, Christian Book Previews.com

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Reviewed by Kenneth Passno (Kyle, TX), August 21, 2008

This is a wonderful book filled with down-to-earth discussions on being a pastor. Even if you're not a pastor, reading this book will give you a better appreciation of what your pastor is all about. I highly recommend for all christians.

Reviewed by Lamont Jones (Melvindale, MI), October 08, 2007

If you truly love you pastor, you'll read this, so you'll have an idea of what a pastor does. You'll be able to specify what to pray about for his/her life. New pastors and even seasoned ones can brush up on their ministries with the spelled out ideas and truths in this book. I "HIGHLY!" recommend everyone purchase this work for their library.

Reviewed by Thomas Stegall (Peoria,IL), October 06, 2006

This is a wonderfully practical and wise treatment of issues and responsibilities faced by pastors, by two men powerfully used by God. Between them they have about 89 years of of pastoral experience. I think every seminary student should read this immediately upon graduation, whether they serve in small or large churches, in the U.S. or abroad.

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