Jesus the Pastor: Leading Others in the Character and Power of Christ

JESUS THE PASTOR was a book assigned to me for a Christian Ministry class at John Brown University. From the moment I read the cover, I knew that I was going to love reading it. Few books have excited me this much about the role of being a pastor and about the person of Jesus Christ. In my personal journey to becoming a pastor myself, John Frye has put the road in front of me into perspective.God has used JESUS THE PASTOR in conjunction with other events in my life to teach me that even while I am training to assume the OFFICE of pastor that I can and am called to assume the ROLE of pastor in my everyday life. Being available to others and leading a life ordered around Christ as the focus of ministry is an exciting, blessing, and yet humbling road. Through this book, God has taught me so many things and revolutionized my view point of what it means to be a pastor.Far be it from me to try to teach my elders, but I would recommend this book to ANY person who occupies the office of pastor in the local church. The Church needs committed servant-leaders and under-shepherds to guide the body of Christ. This book is one of the tools God is using to make that happen.

This book was a cup of cool water for me during a dry period of my life. It is so easy as a pastor to simply pick up the next kit or program that will somehow escalate your church to the "next level". John Frye has brought us back to the fact that Jesus must be our mentor and guide throughout our ministry. He is to be our primary guide in all of pastoral ministry. It is about aligning ourselves as an apprentice of His.Through this book I learned how I could better lead others in the character and power of Christ.Thanks to John Frye for this encouraging work!

Just this morning, I finished this new book. I like to get up early and read for a half hour or an hour... for the last couple weeks, it's been Jesus the Pastor and me. In the last chapter, John Frye calls the book an "extended conversation." That's what it felt like. The main point of the book, as I read it, is the power of a personal connection with Jesus - in one's personal walk and in one's role as pastor. The author lived through the period when ministry was his "job." His "career." He has learned what it means to be "called." And this realization transcends an academic or intellectual understanding of definitions and shades of meaning and other cerebral subtleties. It's for real. A genuine relationship with the Chief Shepherd. An authentic awareness of his presence and power. It's not the correct answer in a multiple choice quiz; or an handwritten essay in a bluebook. It is He. The Coach. The Counselor. The Friend. The Enabler. The Lord. Present by his Spirit. John Frye nailed down the primary things a pastor needs to learn if he's going to be effective... and fulfilled... and energized. For the long term. I love the metaphor - a detective, on the lookout for the fingerprints of God in people's lives. John's appeal comes right from the trenches. He's been misunderstood. Mischaracterized. He's made some mistakes. He's said it wrong. He's alienated a few folks, including staffers, along the way. But in the process, he's learned. He's reconciled. He's embraced the goofs of the past, the inexperience of his former youthfulness (it's fading, isn't it... the youthfulness... help me)... and he's cultivated a shepherd's heart. And it seems, authentically, to have come from the Master Himself. If you know and love a pastor, this book is for you. If you are a card carryin' clergy, then Jesus the Pastor is a must read.

I'm a 31 year old pastor living in Williamsport, MD. I've been in full-time ministry for ten years and was experiencing the lowest point in my ministry two weeks ago. I was depressed, lonley and ready to entertain the idea of quitting. My motives were being misinterpreted, the demands were incredible and still are in many ways, and I was just plain tired. While driving on an errand, the Lord spoke to me and directed me to the local Christian bookstore because in His words: "I HAVE SOMETING FOR YOU." I have several hundred books in my library and didn't think I needed annother one. I walked into the store, picked up a copy of JESUS THE PASTOR and read it within a few hours. HALELLUJAH TO GOD! I felt like I wrote the book because it is so much like what I've been through in the past and was experiencing at that moment in my life! GOD used this book to revolutionize my perspective, toughen me up and kick me in the rear to keep going! It is now one of my favorite books and I will read it several times. GET IT PASTOR! Every penny you invest in this book is well worth it! -Pastor John Miller Faith Christian Fellowship Williamsport, MD

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to deepen their relationship with Christ and be a more effective relationship builder with others. I was challenged to look deep inside of myself to examine who I was, and what I was doing. It answered a lot of the questions I had about why I was experiencing burnout and a lack of enthusiasm for my Ministry area. John Frye's willingness to honestly share the "highs and lows" of his journey to spiritual renewal will serve as a catalyst to anyone seriously seeking to answer the questions "Who am I?", and "What am I doing here?" This should be required reading for anyone involved in any type of pastoral care-- which includes laypeople as well as vocational pastors.