Expositional Leadership

Practical Wisdom to Effectively Lead, Preach, and Pastor

Shepherding a congregation comes with many responsibilities. In addition to preparing weekly sermons, pastors manage church teams and minister to a variety of people with different needs. Attempting to tackle these roles separately can be exhausting and may eventually affect the health of the church. How should leaders integrate their roles to effectively shepherd their congregations?

This guide shows pastors how to simplify and strengthen their ministry work by integrating leadership, preaching, and pastoring in biblical exposition. Authors Scott Pace and Jim Shaddix clearly lay out 6 categories of leadership―scriptural, spiritual, strategic, servant, situational, and sensible―and explain how to leverage them through sermon development and delivery. Offering practical advice and biblical wisdom related to each role, they help readers find balance in their ministries while nurturing their congregations in healthy, sustainable ways.

• Biblical and Applicable: Shows pastors how to integrate leadership, preaching, and pastoring to effectively lead congregations
• Practical: Offers biblical advice for healthy church leadership and expository sermon design and delivery
• A Great Resource for New and Veteran Church Leaders: Practical manual for vocational and academic training

R. Scott Pace (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as provost and associate professor of preaching and pastoral ministry at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of Preaching by the Book; Pastoral Theology; Exalting Jesus in Colossians & Philemon in the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series; and Calling Out the Called.

Jim Shaddix (1960–2025) (PhD, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary) served as senior professor of preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, occupying the W. A. Criswell Chair of Expository Preaching, and also served as senior fellow for the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership. He wrote several books, including The Passion-Driven Sermon and Decisional Preaching. Jim and his wife, Debra, have three grown children and eleven grandchildren.