Pastoral Grit
Overview
SOONER OR LATER, EVERY PASTOR NEEDS WHAT MAKES A GOOD PASTOR GREAT: THE STRENGTH TO STAND AND TO STAY.
Pastors are maturing. Deepening. They want substance for their congregations—and nourishment for their own soul. THE PASTOR’S SOUL series unleashes pastors to do what really matters. To step beyond skills. To give of their unique gifts. To minister authentically and grow in the intangibles of ministry like integrity and character.
A GROUND BREAKING SERIES ON THE INNER LIFE OF PASTORS
In this changing culture, pastors need dedication to do what God wants them to do. They need determination to accomplish their highest priorities.
Every pastor has felt the desire to throw in the towel—to resign from a church or even drop out of the ministry. The press of day-in, day-out care for people can overwhelm the most noble reasons for entering ministry. A pastor’s own brokenness, sinfulness, restlessness, and self-doubts only compound the weight. Pastoral Grit examines honestly the spiritual and practical calamities that compel pastors to give up–and offers realistic insight to help pastors persevere.
Top Highlights
“False shame—not hardship or little money—is really what grinds pastors of smaller churches to dust, to despair, to a desire to quit.” (Page 15)
“Basing my identity on numbers was like building my life on soap bubbles. Abraham Lincoln once said: It is foolish to take either praise or criticism too seriously. The same goes for church attendance. The numbers on Sunday are not who I am. My true identity is who I am in God.” (Pages 22–23)
“I grew discouraged more easily because my emotions were linked to attendance rather than to individual growth in Christ.” (Page 20)
“On the surface, my desire to quit because I am unqualified appears to come from a low opinion of myself, but, in fact, it betrays a healthy streak of pride. I want to appear better than I am to conceal my weaknesses. I want to airbrush my reputation the way a magazine photographer airbrushes blemishes. When God calls me to a task that reveals my flaws, it threatens my self-inflated image.” (Page 45)
“I have learned God has not called me to be everything to everyone. He has designed me with a unique personality, gifting, and background, and who I am in Christ will reach some people extremely well, while others not at all. My inability to minister to some people does not mean I am unqualified for ministry. I may be poorly equipped to reach some, but I am tremendously qualified to reach others.” (Pages 48–49)
Product Details
- Title: Pastoral Grit
- Author: Craig Brian Larson
- Publisher: Logos Research Systems
- Publication Date: 1998
- Pages: 171
Reviews
1 rating
Roberto Diaz
10/16/2017
So far this book has been a blessing. I have not yet finished reading it entirely, but in the process have been so blessed. The author's experiences are totally relevant, not only to my ministry but for anyone in the pastoral ministry. Much thanks Brian and much thanks to LOGOS team for providing such relevant and awesome material.Glenn Crouch
8/6/2016
This is a worthwhile read for most Pastors - especially those with small Churches and those, like myself, who are bi-vocational (or multi-vocational). Admittedly, some of the issues raised and solutions proposed I had difficulty relating to - probably because I am involved in a different denominational structure, as well as a different (ie not USA) culture. However, I did find several moments of encouragement, as well as those of challenge - which I appreciated. Also the Author at times does sum things up very well. Perhaps a little too "first person centred" for my tastes - though the Author does not hold back in regards his own flaws and failings, which is good - I probably would've appreciated a bit more Scriptural Exegesis. That being said, what was included was normally quite good. Not sure that non-Pastors or those in Team Structures would benefit too much from the book.
