Portraits of a Pastor: The 9 Essential Roles of a Church Leader - Softcover

Praise for Portraits of a Pastor

It is comforting and encouraging to find a book that takes pastoring seriously, that rightly prioritizes the character of the pastor, and that grounds the practice of pastoring in the words of Scripture. This is a wonderful book from Jason Allen, and his talented team of contributors, that will help equip the young pastor and encourage the established pastor.

Micah Fries

Pastor of Brainerd Baptist Church

Talk about a book that’s hard to put down; what pastor doesn’t want to be fully equipped? This book challenges, informs, and inspires.

Johnny Hunt

Pastor of Woodstock Baptist Church

As believers work together to push back lostness in North America and around the world, no one—outside of Jesus—will play a more important role than pastors. That’s why this book is so critically important. It’s like sitting down with nine pastoral mentors who will talk frankly and passionately with you about your most important pastoral roles as a husband, father, preacher, evangelist, leader, and more. There is no limit to what could happen if pastors lead the way in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Kevin Ezell

President of the North American Mission Board, SBC

In Portraits of a Pastor,we get a vision and pathway to more faithful and fruitful pastoral ministry. I’m thankful for and challenged by the content!

Ed Stetzer

Billy Graham Distinguished Chair, Wheaton College

Pastors have multiple roles. Each is demanding, indeed impossible apart from the help of the Lord and the encouragement of the flock. Apart from Jesus, a pastor can do nothing (cf. John 15:5). Since 1983,I have served as senior pastor at four different SBC churches—each diverse in size. I understand something of the demands, responsibilities, problems, and blessings of the pastorate. Pastors need encouragement and sound, biblical advice to help them lead their churches. That is why I recommend this new work, Portraits of a Pastor. It will help every Christian understand more clearly the responsibilities of a pastor, and why his role is so vital to the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

Steve Gaines

Senior Pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis

President of the Southern Baptist Convention

The New Testament uses three rich words to designate the pastoral office and another twenty (at least) to define and describe pastoral duties. As a pastor and a professor, I often lament that books on pastoring fail to stand at the intersection of the academic and the practical and provide a full-orbed picture of the pastorate. Better than any book I have ever read, Portraits of a Pastor captures both the simplicity of the pastoral call and the complexity of the pastoral life. Until now, I’ve never seen a book daring and honest enough to render the mixture of head and heart, of cerebral and visceral, of a life occupied with the study of the Word and an obsession with reaching the lost, that serving as one of God’s shepherds requires. Jason Allen and his colleagues instruct, but more importantly, they inspire. Reading this book made me grateful that I am a pastor, but it gave me the tools—and the way—to be a better one to the glory of God.

Hershael W. York

Pastor of Buck Run Baptist Church in Frankfort, KY; Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY

The world at its worst needs the church at its best. Faithful churches require faithful pastors. Unfortunately, there are many who are confused about what the pastor is to be and do. Portraits of a Pastor paints a clear picture of the biblical role of the Christian pastor. Read this book!

H. B. Charles Jr.

Pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Tabernacle, Jacksonville, FL

This wise group of pastoral theologians has teamed up to provide church leaders with a valuable resource for local church ministry. Portraits of a Pastor will refresh weary ministry leaders and guide aspiring leaders. This is not corporate business principles baptized, but biblically rooted, Christ-exalting teaching. I was edified by it, and I pray that it will strengthen and build up Christ's church around the globe.

Tony Merida

Pastor, Imago Dei Church, Raleigh, NC