joshtuttle's review
5.0
What a glorious view of Christ and his bride which William Still faithfully "pastured" for over 52 years. A high view of Scripture as God's means for building His church and wisdom from a seasoned and faithful pastor abound in this book. I'll be coming back to it again, and recommending it to young and old pastor-elders.
ivantable's review
5.0
William Still (1911-1997) faithfully pastured at Gilconston South Church of Scotland, Aberdeen, for over fifty years. Remarkable! This is a short but powerful little book filled with time-tested convictions of a faithful man of God. His purpose is clear: "The thesis is that the pastor, being the shepherd of the flock, feeds the flock upon God's Word; the bulk of pastoral work is therefore through the ministry of the Word" (11). I can't recommend this book enough! I read it in one sitting and was renewed in my commitment to the preaching of the Word.
(BTW, Still is a key person whom God used to awaken Sinclair Ferguson to gospel ministry. Ferguson pens the preface to this edition.)
"Through the death of the pastor must die to self, the life of Chriat appears in his people [2 Cor. 4:12]. There it is: Conflicr! Cost! Crucifixion! .... [I]t is when we see the cost of a real work of God in terms of human agony and sacrifice that we see whether our call to the ministry is of God or is a mere romantic notion."
(BTW, Still is a key person whom God used to awaken Sinclair Ferguson to gospel ministry. Ferguson pens the preface to this edition.)
"Through the death of the pastor must die to self, the life of Chriat appears in his people [2 Cor. 4:12]. There it is: Conflicr! Cost! Crucifixion! .... [I]t is when we see the cost of a real work of God in terms of human agony and sacrifice that we see whether our call to the ministry is of God or is a mere romantic notion."
yakihammer's review
4.0
A book that - like Charles Bridges' The Christian Ministry - I will have to return to again and again. It's not a very large book, but it is thick with well-conceived thoughts and phrases from someone who writes as a fellow laborer.
notwithoutwitness's review
4.0
Still argues that the primary job of the pastor is to shepherd the people of God by leading them into green pastures in order to feast on the Word of God.
A few quotes...
“This end of all pastoral work must never be forgotten - that its ultimate aim is to lead God’s people to offer themselves up to Him in total devotion of worship and service.” 17
“The pastor must be an evangelist all the time - all are evangelists in the primary sense of showing forth Christ (Matt. 5:16); and as soon as he has a handful of converted members, even one, on his hands, he must at once shepherd, that is, feed them.” 19
“The pastor is called to feed the sheep, even if the sheep do not want to be fed. He is certainly not to become an entertainer of goats. Let goats entertain goats, and let them do it out in goatland. You will certainly not turn goats into sheep by pandering to their goatishness.” 23
more to come...
A few quotes...
“This end of all pastoral work must never be forgotten - that its ultimate aim is to lead God’s people to offer themselves up to Him in total devotion of worship and service.” 17
“The pastor must be an evangelist all the time - all are evangelists in the primary sense of showing forth Christ (Matt. 5:16); and as soon as he has a handful of converted members, even one, on his hands, he must at once shepherd, that is, feed them.” 19
“The pastor is called to feed the sheep, even if the sheep do not want to be fed. He is certainly not to become an entertainer of goats. Let goats entertain goats, and let them do it out in goatland. You will certainly not turn goats into sheep by pandering to their goatishness.” 23
more to come...
mbeck's review
5.0
Highly recommended for all pastors and men who are aspiring/training to be pastors.
dragon_reborn's review
4.0
William Still challenges his listeners to a Word-saturated, humble ministry. He calls pastors to keep their focus on the ministry of the Word first and foremost.
I appreciated both Still's zeal and his wisdom. Despite longevity in ministry, his zeal to learn God's Word maintained and grew. His wisdom through the years is communicated here in this book, where he opens up regarding the realities of ministry. He also communicates the pitfalls that exist for a pastor that does not humbly submit to the Spirit's work.
I appreciated both Still's zeal and his wisdom. Despite longevity in ministry, his zeal to learn God's Word maintained and grew. His wisdom through the years is communicated here in this book, where he opens up regarding the realities of ministry. He also communicates the pitfalls that exist for a pastor that does not humbly submit to the Spirit's work.
More...