21st Century Pastor: A Vision Based on the Ministry of Paul

In an age of increasingly `burnt-out' pastors and ministers, declining ministry initiates and increased secularism, there is a need for the Church to reconnect with the foundations of ministry. While there have been various books written addressing these needs at different levels, David Fisher's book, 'The 21st century pastor', gives a fresh and balanced perspective between the human and divine elements of pastoral ministry. These pages are filled with his own extensive personal experience and practice, but also driven and seen through a theological-biblical foundation drawn from a Christological framework and the life and words of the apostle Paul. Fisher aims to encourage and challenge those entering, and already, in pastoral ministry, addressing issues that are rarely dealt with in one's preparation for pastoral ministry in theological education. This book is a most welcome and needed change for those of us, whether novice or veteran, in the world of ministry. Fisher's purpose is driven by an age of increasing secularism. With increasing secularism, Fisher recognises the declining place of the Church within modern society; as such, in the midst of this decline, Fisher articulates the need for pastoral ministry to step up to the plate or lose its impact upon this generation. One aspect Fisher highlights is the change within pastoral ministry from being a theologically-driven practice to an organisational-driven practice, essentially, a change from a divine foundation to a human business philosophy. He states that "the result is, more often than not, a failure of theological-biblical integration and, at the heart of it, a base for ministry that is not properly biblical or theological." Recalling his own experience, he finds that our theological education system does little in equipping ministry initiates for sustainable, theological-biblical-based pastoral ministry within this changing world. Fisher's heart is evident throughout his writing drawn from his experience, as a pastor of nearly 40 years, from his theological education through to his various pastorates over the years. Within the world of theological education and ministry preparation (in any form), preparation for pastoral ministry may be dealt with theoretically, theologically and prayerfully, but very little space is given to adequately preparing initiates for the real-life practice ministry requires, as Fisher says recalling the day he entered his first pastorate, "I had a growing awareness that I wasn't ready." His book is divided into two parts, firstly, focusing on questions which each ministerial initiate should understand in their consideration to taking up the charge of a ministry; secondly, focusing on the various issues in the ministry journey. Fisher deals with these key issues, such as pastoral identity, ecclesiology, calling, etc. all within a theological-biblical perspective. For the most part, his theological-biblical perspective is drawn from the writing

page 187 - God's Master Builders Paul abruptly changes the metaphor from God's field to God's building (I Cor. 3:9). Paul's ministry and ours is to be God's master builders. The word Paul uses is 'architecton'. A 'tekton' is a carpenter, but an 'architecton' is the craftsman who serves as the architect, contractor and engineer. Great nuggets of information. Buy it!!

Pastor Fisher's book is no doubt of great assistance to new pastors, who need a more practical and comprehensive preparation for the ministry than provided in seminary. However, it is also of great assistance to the laity who want to better understand and support their pastor. The pastor's job can be a lonely one. It is in the interest of the entire congregation for their pastor to succeed. David Fisher is the ideal person to write such a book. He has many years of experience, pastoring churches throughout the United States. (I was honored to have him as my senior pastor many years ago in New Hope, Minnesota.) He brings to the job a refreshing mix of friendliness and intellectual curiosity. Though this book is now 10 years old, its timeless principles may well assist churches for another 90 years ... when God willing devout pastors and congregations throughout the world will be preparing for the 22nd century.

I am a student at Moody Bible Institute in their Pastoral Studies program. I stumbled upon this book while doing research into "What is a pastor?" I found Fisher's cander refreshing and myself identifying with many of his experiences...and applauding his solutions. He writes from a conservative viewpoint with the Bible as his authority. This book was helpful to encourage me in the difficult task ahead of pastoring a church in this pluralistic, postmodern, and pagan society, and would recommend it to any aspiring Christian shepherd!

I had four important and definitive books in my life. First of all the Bible. In my conversion "Christian Counter culture"by John Stott. During my growth "Authentic Life", by Ray stedman. And during my bigest crisis in ministry this book of Pastor Fisher