If I Were Starting The Ministry Again

This book arose from the search and need of the author, John M. Drescher, to discern the real importance and what he would emphasize if he were starting the ministry again.His reflection considers what he would have liked someone to have shared with him when he started. It is a pious return to the most basic principles of the Gospel. With simple questions like: What was the impetus that motivated your Christian calling? What is the goal that currently guides your ministerial formation? Drescher writes about cultivating one's spiritual life, reading the Scriptures, empowering by the Holy Spirit, prayer, forming leaders, visiting, planting churches, among other important topics.The contents of this book, once practiced, transform the lives of those who take the ministry seriously. So, serving Christ as his partner becomes a great privilege.José Carlos Pezini - Pastor, writer, professor and church planting consultant (Brazil / USA)

IntroductionPreface to the new editionPreface1 I would seek to be more disciplined in the cultivation of my own spiritual life2 I would seek to give much more time to the study and preaching of Scripture3 I would seek to make my ministry more Christ-centered4 I would try to remember that it is not my eloquence, but the Holy Spirit´s enablement which will accomplish Christ´s purpose in my ministry5 I would seek to keep in mind that, in spite of all its failures, the church is the body of Christ doing God´s work in the world6 I would strive to lead and equip each member for the work of ministering7 I would look for and encourage creative centers8 I would place a primary emphasis on prayer9 I would seek to always remember that my calling is not to control people´s faith, but to love them into the kingdom of God10 I would seek to always be aware that God is at work, usually in persons, places, and programs where I least expect God to be working11 I would seek to always remember that I minister only out of overflow and that fruit is produced only on new growth12 I would be strongly drawn to church planting rather than to an established congregation13 I would seek to be more disciplined in practicing the personal touch through visiting the flock14 I would beware of particular pitfalls in the ministryAdditional Timeless WisdomBibliography