The Pastor’s Book (Kent Hughes)

The Pastor’s Book

A Comprehensive and Practical Guide to Pastoral Ministry

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.  The Pastor’s Book explores many of the most important topics to men in the ministry.

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.

About the Author

R. Kent Hughes (DMin, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is senior pastor emeritus of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois. He is also a visiting professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hughes is also a founder of The Charles Simeon Trust, which conducts expository preaching conferences throughout North America and worldwide. He and his wife, Barbara, have four children and an ever-increasing number of grandchildren.

The editor is Douglas Sean O’Donnell (MAs, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Wheaton College), a senior lecturer in biblical studies and practical theology at Queensland Theological College in Brisbane, Australia.  Dr. O’Donnell took this position after nearly 20 years in pastoral ministry. He is currently obtaining his doctorate at Trinity College Bristol through the University of Aberdeen. He is the author of a number of books, including The Beginning and End of Wisdom, The Song of Solomon and Matthew in the Preaching the Word commentary series, and Psalms in the Knowing the Bible series.

Endorsement from Sinclair Ferguson:

“Latin phrases spring to mind to describe The Pastor’s Book: It is a magnum opus—a major work for all ministers, incorporating one and a half lifetimes of gathered pastoral resources. It will be a vade mecum—the go-to book and faithful companion for younger ministers, to guide, inform, and sometimes correct and restrain. It should prove to be a sine qua non for all who are engaged in gospel ministry over the long haul—the very book needed to help re-calibrate and refresh. These pages constitute a love-gift to their fellow under-shepherds from Kent Hughes and Douglas Sean O’Donnell. They have put all who love Christ’s church in their lasting debt.”
— Sinclair B. Ferguson, Professor of Systematic Theology, Redeemer Seminary, Dallas, Texas

More Endorsements

“This is an immensely helpful, Scripture-saturated resource for busy pastors, explaining the practical ‘how to’s’ of leading weddings, funerals, baptisms, the Lord’s Supper, personal counseling, and weekly worship services. It reflects the accumulated wisdom of decades of ministry, and it comes from the pen of a godly, wise senior pastor for whom I have the highest appreciation and respect.”
— Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary

“The Pastor’s Book should be on the shelf of every young preacher heading out into gospel ministry. It is a resource volume—meant to guide you into good practice and provide you with language for a variety of pastoral settings. Its success comes from the authors’ mutual hallmark of disciplined and careful preparation.”
— David R. Helm, Pastor, Holy Trinity Church, Chicago; Chairman, The Charles Simeon Trust

Table of Contents

PART 1: Christian Gatherings
Sunday Worship
Annual Services
Weddings
Funerals
Enrichment: Poetry to Enhance Preaching and Worship
PART 2: Parts of the Worship Service
Public Prayers
The Historic Christian Creeds
Hymns and Songs
Baptism
Communion
PART 3: Ministerial Duties
Pastoral Counseling
Hospital Visitation
Appendix: Sample Wedding Services from Various Churches