Do you believe you are a Pastor? Do you believe you have been called to the ministry? How do you know you are a Pastor? Do you think, as ministers measure up, that you are one in a thousand?  

Yes, that's what Elihu said to Job, "one in a thousand."  

If these are ominous questions for you to ask, or answer, then take some time and read some information from the links on this page.  This section is not an exhaustive litmus test, but may be helpful in a reexamination of the minister and his office. Helpful insights from William Gouge, Richard Baxter, and others, may prove useful for you to as one in the ministry. Most ministers in the church today would not even be able to apply for membership in the times of the Puritans; their lives and knowledge would be dubious in their eyes.  The level of giftedness from Christ and ministerial commitment needed to function biblically in the office of Elder is all but lost in our day.  Bible knowledge seems to have been placed at the wayside.  Now the criteria for Eldership is not 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, but rather the marketing strategy and CEO talent which may be prevalent in the "job applicant."  

Many Pastors do not even know the books of the Bible!

Very few men are really qualified to minister to God's chosen people, and care for the flock of Christ.

"My people have been lost sheep.
Their shepherds have lead them astray;"
Jeremiah 50:6a

Back to
Pastoral Office

Check out the
Wild Boar News Podcast

The Visible and Invisible Church; Its nature and practicality
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

The Order of Excommunication and of Public Repentance
by Dr. John Knox (offsite)

A Treatise Concerning Scandal
by Dr. James Durham (offsite)

The Three Marks of a True Church
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

The Church Instituted
by Dr. William Ames

The Church Mystically Considered
by Dr. William Ames

Ordinary Ministers in the Church
by Dr. William Ames

Is the Reformed Church the True Church?
by Dr. Francis Turretin

Preaching and the Pulpit, Part 1: Dread
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

Preaching and the Pulpit Part 2: Worship
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

Preaching and the Pulpit, Part 3: Eternal Significance
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

The Uselessness of Church Speakers
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

What is a Call to the Ministry?
Dr. RL Dabney

Interpreting the Scriptures
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

The Life of the Preacher
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

Preparing to Preach
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

Thoughts on Rebuking
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

The Precisionist - as a pastor are you precise?
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

The Elder and Divorce 
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

The Pulpit
A Reflection
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

A Minister's Hymns
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

The Gospel Ministry
by Dr. John Brown of Haddington (1864)

The Gospel, The Ministry and the Holy Spirit
by B. P. Aydelott D.D.

The Anointing Of The Spirit 
The Essential Qualification For The Gospel Ministry
by by B. P. Aydelott

R.L. Dabney on "Women Preaching"

B.B. Warfield on Women Speaking in the Church

Who is Allowed to Administer the sacraments?
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon 

Richard Baxter & the Reformed Pastor: an Overview of Practical Theology
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

Should We Expel Young Ministers from the Pulpit?
by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon

Pastoral Reading - good books which need to be read for the minister

Church Where the President Speaks, by Geoff Thomas

What do the Puritans think of the Pastoral Office? Check out the Puritan's views; William Ames on the Office..

The church What kind of church are you Pastoring?

Puritan views of the Pulpit.  See the Pastoral Office in perspective.

Pastoral Quiz  A quiz our church gives to "elder candidates".

Pastor Quiz #2 - a longer quiz to test your abilities as an elder. 

William Gouge on Preaching

Link here to order the book, "The Reformed Pastor" by Richard Baxter

The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter Online