The Pastor’s Manual
Overview
Hobbs covers many of the important tasks the pastor performs, including funeral services and marriage ceremonies. He addresses how to organize a church, articles of faith, officers of the church, and the administration of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Top Highlights
“The purpose of the funeral service is to calm and soothe the bereaved” (Page 11)
“As to the address or sermon, it should be borne in mind that brevity is a real virtue. Ten minutes are sufficient for any sermon or address unless the departed is of unusual prominence.” (Page 12)
“‘Behold happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty’ (Job 5:17).” (Page 21)
“My Friends: Whereas, death hath once more invaded our ranks and removed from the walks of life our beloved Brother _______, his soul having departed to dwell in ‘The undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns,’ it has become our sad duty to commit his body to the grave: Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, and our inspiring privilege to commend his soul to our Maker, Father, and Redeemer, in the confident hope of the coming again of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the body from the grave, and the joyous life reserved for the children of light in the realms of glory.” (Pages 75–76)
“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard? The everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary; there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint’ (Isa. 40:28–31).” (Pages 70–71)
- Title: The Pastor’s Manual
- Author: James R. Hobbs
- Publisher: Broadman & Holman
- Publication Date: 1962
- Pages: 251