Ready, Set, Lead!: The New Pastor's Guide to Starting Ministry

by Lynda C. Ward and Steven P. Brey

Packed with practical tips, reproducible pages, checklists, and suggested resources, this ready-to-use resource helps first-time pastors or those new to an established church get started the first day... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0687496101
• ISBN13: 9780687496105
• Release Date: February 2006
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Length: 126 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Don't accept a student pastor position without reading this book!

I bought this book after I interviewed for a student pastor position prior to my first year at seminary. After the interviews and some very terrible stories from other student pastor's about thier first assignments I decided that there has to be some way to get real, practical advice. The check lists in this book are very helpful and the advice about how to approach meeting with the parish board and listening to thier needs and ideas, taking notes and learning to ask the right questions up front was very insightful and quite frankly, full of things I would never have thought about in advance! Then there is always the first time you get asked to perform a wedding or need to hold a funeral. I've seen weddings, been married and I have attended funerals, but I have never had to be in charge. I had pleanty of theology and theory and even New Testament Greek, but there is always that moment when you realize YOU are the pastor...what now? This guide is brillant and gives indispenable advice on how to approach not just your first appointment, but every new appointment you will ever have.

Peace of Mind

I am a first year seminary student and someone who has served as a student pastor. I recieved Ready, Set, Lead as a Christmas present and now regret that I did not have it when I came to my first parish. Ready, Set, Lead is not just a book that TELLS you how to prepare for local church ministry, there are practical applications throughout that will aid you as you make the transition to a new parish. The book is not about theory it is about the practice and journey that comes with starting a new ministry. I am sure that much of the my anxiety and the ackwardness that occured with the congregation at my first church could have been eased if I had known about and taken many of the easy steps that both Ward and Brey lay out. I think it is a valuable tool for all who are thinking of or are now working toward local church ministry.