"This book will prove to be a spiritual tonic for pastors." —Thomas R. Schreiner This book offers pastors examples of long-term faithfulness in ministry and practical wisdom from veteran pastors for real-life issues. Attending to your personal spiritual life (Tim Keller) Leaving a church (D. A. Carson) Crafting sermons week after week (Bryan Chapell) Facing criticism (Dan Doriani) Pastoring a church you wouldn't attend (Tom Ascol) Caring for your wife in the midst of criticism (Juan R. Sanchez with Jeanine D. Sanchez) Feeling deserted by members leaving (Dave Harvey) Pastoring a small church that seems insignificant (Mark McCullough) Experiencing burnout (John Starke) Shepherding a church that has outgrown your gifts (Scott Patty) Handling financial burdens (Brandon Shields) Doubting your calling (Jeff Robinson Sr.)

Most pastors know when they enter the ministry that they will spend time helping others through times of suffering. What they usually do not realize, though, is that they too will suffer. Caught off guard, many of them end up deeply hurt and quit the ministry, deciding that perhaps they misunderstood God's call on their lives or that they simply do not have what it takes. But church history is filled with compelling stories of men who were profoundly afflicted while they carried out their ministry and yet persevered faithfully until death. Now the editors of The Gospel Coalition have collected inspiring stories of twelve faithful men who endured great suffering for the cause of Christ. The stories of the apostle Paul, John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, John Bunyan, Wang Mindao, and others show that suffering in the context of ministry is expected--and it's never wasted. Pastors and ministry leaders, as well as those who support them, will find in this collection encouragement to run the race with endurance.

Trials have a way of changing us, for better or worse. They can humble us or harden us. They can make us run to God or away from him. Perhaps your trials have resulted in a closer walk with him, or maybe he seems far away. Often, God strengthens our faith through the witness of courageous Christians who've gone before us. Be encouraged and challenged by these 12 portraits of faithful women who steadfastly endured many trials-including physical pain, persecution, infertility, loneliness, and oppression-and who, in their various sufferings, found Christ to be an all-sufficient Lord and Savior, steadfast, faithful, and true.

With Contributions by John Piper, John MacArthur, Jerry Bridges, Randy Alcorn, and Helen Roseveare These powerful calls to godly perseverance from four admired Christians elevate the value and necessity of lifelong faithfulness in the lives of God's people. Many people seek to better their lives by leaving, changing, swapping, or modifying their commitments. But God's Word holds up a beautiful value that, while difficult, leads to deep satisfaction and great reward: endurance. Such long, steady, hold-the-course perseverance is especially needed within our vacillating generation. This thoughtful book thus not only elevates the virtue of godly endurance but bears witness to its power in the Christian life through the exhortations of John Piper-who provides the context and overview for the entire book-John MacArthur, Jerry Bridges, Randy Alcorn, and Helen Roseveare. Each contributor represents a different kind of endurance: from MacArthur's longtime, faithful shepherding of a church to Alcorn's radical obedience in the culture wars, from Bridges' unswerving patience through suffering to Roseveare's courageous constancy on the war-torn mission field. Stand will awaken and solidify rugged, Christ-exalting endurance in people who are weary in their faith journey or who simply long to remain firm to the end. And for everyone who dreams of a Christian culture-shift from brief trial runs to lifelong commitments, John Piper and Justin Taylor's latest offering is a watershed that will serve to seal that vision in people's minds and hearts.

There is no time that endurance is not needed. However, too often for the believer endurance is simply coping, accepting, tolerating, and just getting by. What a misconception of Paul's words in Romans 8:35-37. Believers are more than conquerors. In John's writings he emphasizes the true Nike and it is not Michael Jordan. The true conqueror is Christ the King and the believer's endurance is to be modeled after Him. Hurting people, sinned-against people, and sinning people need to know and apply Godly endurance. The joy of enduring God's way is the privilege, blessing, and responsibility for all of God's people no matter their age or spiritual maturity.

Faithful Christian living in the everyday might not sound challenging, but, as author and blogger Aimee Byrd shows us, it's actually a real workout! Knowing God takes effort-just like any relationship. Aimee invites us to join her in some theological fitness training as she unpacks our call to perseverance in the book of Hebrews and explores the great metaphor that physical fitness lends to theology. Learn about the "fighting grace" God has given you, discover how you are equipped to live a life of Christ-focused obedience, and get ready to embrace your faith in a fresh, invigorating way. Book jacket.