In churches today, there are ever fewer older pastors speaking into the lives of younger leaders, and fewer younger leaders feeling there is much to be learned from the experience of their elders. Street-smart wisdom is gone from training as there are many men and women preparing pastors who have never themselves pastored a church. Intriguingly, even older, more seasoned pastors yearn for insight into their task, as they remain "undiscipled" in the school of leadership. In What They Didn't Teach You in Seminary, veteran pastor James Emery White provides the kind of mentoring young pastors desperately need but cannot get from academia or leadership books. These "from the trenches" insights will help them transform their relationships with staff and parishoners, develop healthy boundaries, deliver hard truths, avoid spiritual pitfalls, use their time effectively, and much more.

A quintessential guide to the fundamentals of ministry, now updated and expanded. Since Aubrey Malphurs first wrote Ministry Nuts and Bolts in 1997 he has gathered even more insights and strategies thanks to his work consulting for churches, his further research, and the classes he teaches at Dallas Theological Seminary. He has applied this expanded knowledge to the second edition of Ministry Nuts and Bolts, a helpful guide designed to teach pastors what they need to know about the day-to-day, nitty-gritty of leading a pastoratethings that arent taught in seminary

After countless hours of immersion in theological curriculum and grueling examinations, the long-awaited graduation from seminary has finally arrived. However, after that celebrated walk across the stage, and the turning of the tassel, now the true test comes. Although many graduates have traversed seminary training, the question remains, are they prepared to take the reins of that prospective church? In his eye-opening debut book, Dr. Derrick J. Hughes reveals why seminaries are not equipped to give the practical knowledge needed to lead a successful ministry. With over 30 years of experience in church planting and pastoring small, mid, and mega-sized ministries, Dr. Hughes’ pragmatic approach to ministry will benefit leaders of churches of any size. Church leaders will learn how to avoid some of the common mistakes that turn ministry into misery. Whether or not you have had formal training, Dr. Hughes’ insights will help pastors from any denomination avoid the pitfalls that cause ministers to quit or derail their success in the ministry. Regardless of whether you are just beginning or are a seasoned church leader, anyone called to Christian ministry will be informed and enriched by Dr. Hughes’ priceless jewels for practical church leadership.

Seminary is dangerous. Really dangerous. The hard truth is that many seminarians enter pastoral ministry feeling drained, disillusioned, and dissatisfied. But the problem isn't with the faculty or the material. Rather, the most perilous danger to the soul of the pastor-in-training is the sin residing deep within his own heart. Drawing on their years of pastoral ministry and seminary experience, David Mathis and Jonathan Parnell take a refreshingly honest look at this oft-neglected—yet all too common—experience, offering real-world advice for students eager to survive seminary with their faith intact. In seven short but challenging chapters, the authors remind readers of the foundational role of the gospel in the life of ministry, equipping them with the keys to grow in their faith while making the most of their education.

Pastors and church leaders are constantly faced with strategic questions. How much staff does the church need? How many workers are needed in the nursery this month? When is the right time to start a second worship service? How many people should we train for evangelism this year? How does seating and parking impact worship attendance? When church leaders have questions about planning, running, or growing their churches, they need answers fast! What Every Pastor Should Know offers pastors and leaders 101 valuable rules and "sacred" laws to help answer real-life ministry questions. From advertising to facilities to visitation, this valuable book offers the practical help that leaders need, just when they need it most. This comprehensive guide will become one of the most valuable books in a leader's library. Never again will they wonder if they based critical decisions on the right information. They'll get the answers they're looking for all in one place.

Many people admire and even revere the Bible, but they simply do not understand what they read, much less how to study Scripture. Yet they wish they could. In this insightful and alternately amusing guide, Professor Mark Yarbrough shows how easy and gratifying it is to unlock the hidden truths of God's Word and to discover a world where reading the Bible doesn't just satisfy our curiosity, but changes our life. To do this, the reader will step into the seminary classroom and observe the practical principles-the tricks of the trade-for becoming a more effective student of the Bible. But Yarbrough has made sure that his writing style and general approach will be appealing to both academic students and those involved in lay-level Bible study. Real life is whacky and in-your-face. Studying Scripture should be too.