Pastoral Theology: The Pastor in the Various Duties of His Office

by Thomas Murphy

564 pages, Hardcover

Published March 1, 2025

Reviews

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great deal of good material, and also some interesting but dated counsel on Sabbath Schools. Heavy block-quoting would have been well served by footnote references of some kind in this new edition. The index is helpful. Will return to this.

[Ben Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive guide to pastoral theology and ministry. For aspiring or beginning pastors, consider the first 5 chapters particularly carefully!

Admittedly, his Southern Presbyterian approach differs a bit from mine, especially on questions of church polity, but I found Murphy’s an edifying and useful work nonetheless.

[Joshua Chatman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the best book on pastoral ministry I’ve read. It’s definitely my favorite. It’s biblical and comprehensive. I felt like Murphy mentored me. It blessed me tremendously! I highly recommend it.

[Connor Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book that I read for my pastoral ministry class! It was originally published in 1877 by an American Presbyterian minister. In the book, Murphy gives advice on how pastors should approach their devotional life, their preparation, their pulpit duties, shepherding and mercy work, administrative work, membership duties, Sunday schools, current events, session work, and interdenominational work. He is very honest and gives excellent, scriptural advice. 150 years between the writing of this book and now means that contexts and specific practices have changed. Examples include house visits, Sunday schools from sabbath schools, and letter writing. However many of the principles are still extremely applicable. The language in this book is clear and succinct and I will definitely revisit it when I become a full time pastor! Would highly recommend!

[Colton Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This feels like what many men ascribe to Baxter's Reformed Pastor; a masterful pastoral manual for new ministers. It's filled with great wisdom. While some bits may feel dated (e.g. Sabbath schools as he describes aren't operated quite the same way now), it is rather timely in considering the work of office of a minister.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic from the past (late 19th century presbyterianism). I heard Ligon Duncan recommend it at a conference a few years ago, and there were few quality copies available. But Greenville Seminary now owns the Log Cabin imprint and has produced a handsome volume (I'm interested to see what other classics of presbyterianism they unearth!).

Murphy discusses just about anything you could think of that a pastor would have to tackle in his regular ministry. His advice on pastoral visitation is especially helpful--do visits in bunches, and keep them short! He has quite a system that would translate pretty well today, although parishioners tend to be more spread out than they were in his era, so some of his calculations would have to change.

The surprising topic that he went on and on and on about was Sunday School (or "Sabbath School"). This takes up a quarter of the book. But you have to realize that Sunday School was a relatively new innovation in his era, and perhaps not performed all that well. But Murphy has plenty of wisdom and advice about how a pastor should oversee and participate in that vital ministry (at a level of engagement higher than nearly any pastor's today).

Excellent work for any pastor--and thanks for the recommendation, Lig.