Calvary Press: Church Life

CHURCH LIFE

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR PASTOR

by Kent Philpott

What are the problems, pressures, and needs of those who pastor the people of God? How can the fellowship of believers encourage and minister to these key members of the church family? The aim of this book is to provide some answers for these questions.

Christians care about their ministers, elders, shepherds, priests, and pastors – whatever the title may be for it is they who bear the burden of leadership. These pastors are the Moses’, the Joshuas’, the Davids’, and the Timothys’, the men God has called to speak his Word, bring guidance to the faithful, comfort the bereaved and afflicted, work with the rebellious, and encourage the hopeless. What, though, can the saints do to hold up the arms of those whom God has placed over them in spiritual authority?

First, the leaders can be appreciated for who they are. Ministers are often seen as superstars, perfected saints, dictators, deluded persons, eccentrics, holier-than-thou types, and stuffed shirts. Such caricatures are usually errant and never helpful. Second, the problems peculiar to church ministry can be understood in relation to the minister. The real life of the pastor is often hidden, either intentionally or unintentionally, from the congregation. And third, believers can come to a fuller understanding of their relationship to God’s appointed authorities in the body. The shepherd is a sheep too, but has been made a shepherd of sheep; nevertheless, he is still one of the sheep.

There will never be a perfect pastor. And there will not need to be as long as we know there cannot be. Jesus, who is himself the Head of the Body, is the only perfect one. Our Minister is perfect, wholly trustworthy and faithful, the King who will never fall off the throne.

Kent Philpott lives in California where he has been the pastor of Miller Avenue Church, Mill Valley since 1985. Ordained in 1966, he was awarded the degrees of Masters of Divinity by Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Mill Valley and Doctor of Ministry by San Francisco Theological Seminary. He is a regular visitor to the prisoners of San Quentin Prison and a coach of the San Quentin Pirates baseball team.

Retail: $13.99

21st CENTURY CORINTHIANS

by Joseph M. Bianchi

“In 21st Century Corinthians, Bianchi sets out his theme: The majority of church conflicts arise as a result of wounded egos, not theological differences. The reason? ‘…The 21st-century Evangelical church has a serious dose of amnesia; it has forgotten the very foundation that the New Testament was built upon.’ “These two quotes will tell you that this is not a book for the spiritually squeamish! They need what the book has to say, but will not read more than a few pages. Even those who are convinced that the church needs a serious shake up will not agree with all that is put forward. But the arguments need to be considered and given our serious attention, and challenge us to do something about them. This is a book that speaks directly to conditions in today’s Evangelical churches. It needs reading and putting into practice.”

—Peter Jeffery, pastor and author of From Religion to Christ, Salvation Exposed and a host of other well-known titles.

Retail: $11.99

TO BE OR NOT TO BE A CHURCH MEMBER? THAT IS THE QUESTION!

By Wayne Mack

Should you commit yourself to membership in a local church? Isn’t just being a Christian enough? Anyhow, where does the Bible say that we have to become members of a church…why can’t I just attend and get involved?

These are very important questions that demand an answer, especially in the “casual age” that we’re living in. Dr. Wayne Mack brings his years of experience as a Bible teacher, pastor and counselor to this very controversial topic. His answers are straightforward and clear: “YES!” You must become a church member if you’re to be obedient to Our Lord Jesus Christ and the clear teaching of the New Testament. “NO!” Being a “lone wolf” Christian is not enough, per se; you must join with a local body of believers in a church that teaches sound doctrine. NO! You cannot just “attend and get involved” without the benefit of church membership; you must have church elders that can guide you, and that you must submit to. Dr. Mack thus argues conclusively and clearly for church membership.

Retail: $10.99

UPON THIS SLIPPERY ROCK
By Eric D. Svendsen

There’s a new breed of apologists on the Internet. They’re very aggressive. They have very sophisticated websites armed with what they believe to be the absolute truth. They’re taking advantage of all the new media to get their message out—and they are out to undermine your Evangelical faith…for they are CATHOLIC!! That’s right, these new apologists are Catholic, and they are trying to bring those who were once Catholic—but are now Born Again--and other true believers, back to Rome! Let scholar Eric D. Svendsen help you defend your Bible-based faith, and show you how this aggressive false teaching with its false claims to authority can be dismantled by the clear teaching of Scripture—and simple logic! This one of the most important Christian books published this year. Order today and arm yourself with the truth!

Retail: $11.99