Test, Train, Affirm, and Send Into Ministry: Recovering the Local Church’s Responsibility in the External Call (Ministering the Master’s Way)

Description

The once strong commitment by the local church throughout church history to affirm a person who possesses the gifts and godly character suitable for Christian ministry, known as the external call, has practically vanished in the twenty-first century. This book is designed to equip and call back local churches to this biblical responsibility. This is accomplished by answering the typical questions that accompany this topic: Who is responsible? Who receives this call? Who gives this call and how does a local church proceed to give it? These are just a few of the important questions that are biblically, theologically, and practically answered. The aim of this book is to contribute to an awakening in the local church to relieve unnecessary pressures upon theological institutions, alleviate confusion to those seeking a call into gospel ministry, and restore a vision to this divine call which God has placed solely upon his redeemed people.

Brian Croft graduated from Indiana University in 1997 with a B.A. in Sociology and undertook some graduate work at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served in pastoral ministry for fifteen years and is currently in his seventh year as Senior Pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. He is the author of Visit the Sick: Ministering God s grace in times of illness (Acclaimed by Dr. Albert Mohler Jr. in Preaching Magazine as one of the year s best books for preachers in 2008). He and his wife, Cara, have four children: Samuel, Abby, Isabelle, and Claire.