The Pastor's Guide to Effective Ministry

PASTOR—You’ve been trained to preach and to teach and to do outreach. How’s it going now that you’re in the trenches? How are you doing professionally? Do you still have the big picture of your call and your vision in view? Are you finding time and resources to nurture your congregation? Are you controlling the administration of your church, or is it controlling you? How are you doing personally? Is your family life in shape? Are you taking care of yourself physically and emotionally? Are your personal finances in order? Larry Burkett, Dallas Willard, William Willimon, Dale Galloway and other well-known church leaders provide solid advice for your personal and professional development. Keep The Pastor’s Guide to Effective Ministry on top of your desk as you face the day-to-day challenges of ministry.

Dr. Neil B. Wiseman's involvement in pastoral development includes 15 years teaching at Nazarene Bible College, pastoring local congregations, directing clergy services for the denomination, and teaching and serving as college chaplain at Trevecca Nazarene University at Nashville.Wiseman served as founding editor of GROW magazine and continued for eleven years in that assignment. He founded and directed the Small Church Institute for ten years. He started a monthly audio sermon resource for pastors called Preaching Today. He also produced two audio clubs called the Layman's Tape Club and the Minister's Tape Club.Wiseman was the founder and director of the first PALCON (Pastor's Leadership Conferences). His development of ministers in the classroom includes courses in preaching, spiritual formation, life and work of the minister, and leadership. And he now serves as a resource person in pastors' retreats or continuing events-having been on more than 30 districts in three years.He now gives his full attention to writing and speaking in pastors' retreats, laypersons' retreat, and continuing education events for ministers.

Larry Burkett founded Christian Financial Concepts, Inc. (now Crown Financial Ministries). He dedicated his life and ministry to teaching biblical principles of financial management. He published over 50 books with total sales of over two million.

Wayne Schmidt, D. Min., has served as a pastor at Kentwood Community Church near Grand Rapids, Michigan since its inception in 1979. From a small care group it has grown to a vibrant congregation averaging over 2500 in weekend worship services. Wayne has authored Soul Management, Leading When God is Moving, and coauthored Accountability: Becoming People of Integrity. He and his wife Jan enjoy parenting their children: Chris, Jordan, and Elsie.

Dr. Jesse Middendorf currently serves as executive director for the Center for Pastoral Leadership at Nazarene Theological Seminary. He served for twenty-eight years as pastor in the Church of the Nazarene, ten of those years at Kansas City First Church. He served as district superintendent on the Northwest Oklahoma district for five years and spent twelve as a general superintendent, retiring in 2013.

Dale Galloway has achieved international recognition as a pastor, teacher, and mentor. He is a popular speaker who has a history and a heart for training pastors. He has pastored four churches and written 22 books. Dale graduated from Olivet Nazarene University and Nazarene Theological Seminary and earned his doctorate from Western Evangelical Seminary. He and his wife live in Phoenix.