Amado Timóteo

by Thomas K. Ascol (Editor)

Assim como Paulo transmitiu a Timóteo por meio de cartas, estes escritos de pastores experientes contêm cerca de 480 anos de práticas ministeriais. Pastores idosos e jovens tornaram rica esta coleção de sinceros conselhos e preciosas verdades que guiarão outros nos desafios e alegrias no seu chamado em Cristo. Entre os contribuidores estão: Joel Beeke, Ligon Duncan, Fred Malone, Mark Dever, Tedd Tripp, Ray Ortlund Jr., C.J. Mahaney, Roger Ellsworth e outros.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Ecclesiology, Leadership

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Thomas K. Ascol has served as a Pastor of Grace Baptist Church since 1986. He has a BS degree in sociology from Texas A&M University and has also earned the MDiv and PhD degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas. He has served as an adjunct professor of theology for various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary, the Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary, African Christian University, Copperbelt Ministerial College, and Reformed Baptist Seminary. He has also served as Visiting Professor at the Nicole Institute for Baptist Studies at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida.

Tom serves as the President of Founders Ministries. He has edited the Founders Journal, a quarterly theological publication of Founders Ministries, and has written articles for various journals and magazines. He has been a regular contributor to TableTalk, the monthly magazine of Ligonier Ministries. He has also edited and contributed to several books, including Dear Timothy: Letters on Pastoral Ministry, Recovering the Gospel and Reformation of Churches and By What Standard? God's World...God's Rules. He is also the author of From the Protestant Reformation to the Southern Baptist Convention, and Traditional Theology and the SBC and co-authoring with Jared Longshore the forthcoming (2021) Strong and Courageous.

He and Donna have six children along with 3 sons-in-law and a daughter-in-law. They also have fourteen grandchildren.
See also Tom Ascol .

Reviews

[Owen Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to on Audible - not a huge fan of the narrator, but the content was good. Some chapters were more convicting than others. I appreciated after each chapter (i.e. letter) there were recommended readings for further study!

[Tim Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique. One of the best books on early pastoral ministry I've come across. Near impossible to get in the UK, but worth spending the dollars on for the new edition.

[Christian Eckmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. I was required to read it for a pastoral ministry class in seminary, and I am glad my professor made it a textbook.

This collection of letters from seasoned pastors is encouraging, convicting, insightful, motivating, and weighty. Reading it is like spending afternoons with wise, experienced pastors and asking them every question under the sun about what they would like to impart to you. I highly recommend any young aspiring elder/pastor to read this at any time, whether one is considering the pastorate, in seminary, or currently pastoring. This is a must-read and a must re-read every so often.

It would also help anyone gain a greater insight into the responsibilities of a pastor and how they should be shepherding the church.

[Willy Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muito bom, nos faz refletir sobre a seriedade do ministério pastoral.

[Michael Goforth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the format of this book and that’s what pushed it to 4 stars for me. Each chapter was written as a letter from an older pastor to a younger pastor on a specific topic. As an added bonus, each chapter ended with some great book recommendations for pastoral ministry.

I didn’t love every chapter, but some chapters were incredible and make the book well worth the read. I highly recommend it for those in pastoral ministry.

[Alexandre Amin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uma compilação de sabedoria pastoral de peso. Cada capítulo apresenta um aspecto do ministério pastoral, bem como suas responsabilidades e desafios. Abrange tanto o cuidado pessoal como o trabalho ministerial.
Um livro altamente recomendável para pastores que desejam servir a Cristo de todo o coração em uma igreja local.

[Joey Tomlinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has some really excellent chapters (CJ on humility for example) and then some really silly chapters (Ted Tripp & Conrad Mbewe chapters). If I gave this to a new pastor, I'd want to discuss it with them and give them my strong points of disagreements at specific moments in the book.

[Rodrigo Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leitura indispensável para todo àquele que almeja ou já exerce a função de pastor. Com preciosos conselhos de muitos pastores experientes essa leitura certamente acrescentará e ajudará os pastores no seu ofício.

[Jónatas Rafael Lopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente livro.
Um clássico!

[Nathan White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truth be known, I give this book about 3.5 rather than 4 stars. That's because it is extremely helpful/insightful at times, and rather frustrating at others. Without a doubt, most of the content is very good; I'm just not convinced that the content accomplishes the focus of the book, which is to give pastoral wisdom to young pastors. So first a few criticisms: it is very pietistic in the first half, a little overboard here on the Christian disciplines (devotionals, quiet time, etc.) of the pastor. The line between what are 'optional' Christian disciplines and what is required is really blurry. And there's a clear implication given that private Christian disciplines are the essence (centrality, foundational) of a pastor's spiritual life, and that you'll be alright if you just do these things. Of course, private disciplines are important (prayer and study particularly), but the language here is very broad, evangelical, Christianese. There's no real mention of the public means of grace and how those are central in the Christian life, and how those serve to sustain the spiritual devotion of the ministry. This is not a minor flaw in the book. Also, there is continual praise, all throughout, for Richard Baxter and his book 'the reformed pastor.' Of course this book is helpful on a few things, but Baxter was a neonomian and encouraging young men to read him is only asking for trouble. His errors concerning justification are too serious of a threat for him to be a trustworthy guide. But on the other hand, this is a great book for men who begin to have a desire for ministry. I don't recommend it to a man already called to ministry, or a man just finishing seminary, as most of this is pretty basic stuff that must come years before a man actually begins to serve (unless it's for a ministry who is new to Reformed theology). The second half of the book is particularly helpful, and I will reference some of it for years to come. Bill Ascol on 'be courageous', Fred Malone on 'do personal work', Raymond Perron on 'watch your doctrine', Ligon Duncan on 'keep studying', Roger Ellsworth on 'preach the word', Terry Johnson on 'worship in spirit and in truth', and Geoff Thomas on 'find a place to settle' are excellent chapters here. The reader will find a host of godly wisdom and biblical argumentation. These essays are worth the price of the book, and the young man will do well to just read these alone.

[Michael Dionne]

Really loved this book - unexpectedly. While it certainly has weaker contributions (I wasn't compelled to agree with Ortlund's chapter on Revival, and the chapter on staying in one pastorate was poorly argued-although I agree with the author!), this book inflamed my passion for ministry and for the pastorate. The chapters on Prayer and the Puritans stick in my heart as some of the most helpful and timely for myself as I prepare for ministry. I think that this will merit a second read when (Lord willing) I am called to a church someday.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

The approach of this book is interesting...each chapter is a letter from an experienced pastor to a young, newly installed pastor imparting wisdom on various topics.

However, overall I found it to be just ok. Some of the chapters are pretty good, but some of the others are just alright. It's not a bad book by any means (its alright to provoke discussion), but its very average. Most of the authors recommend reading Spurgeon's "Lecture's to My Students"...read that instead.

[Martin Maquivar · Rating 5 out of 5]

No imaginé que existiera un libro como este, donde se tocan aspectos teológicos, prácticos de la vida pastoral, pero la idea de que cada capítulo fuera escrito como una carta personal, para ti por diferentes pastores con larga trayectoria, me pareció fascinante.

[Eduardo Barbi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very helpful to young men who need to work at growing in the fruit of patience.
Mostly because it’s incredibly boring and quite unecessary. But there’s good content here and there if you are able to endure its style.

Authors recommend their own books/“ministries” (somewhat ‘un-pastorally’ at times, to be honest) or Puritans (there are exceptions), so I’d advise you to spend your money (and time) wisely and buy something else that will be more challenging.

[Rodrigo Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leitura muito agradável! Com diversos capítulos (ou "cartas) muito bons, de verdade.

Penso ser uma leitura que deveria ser indicada a todo jovem "Timóteo ", para ir, gradualmente, ambientando-se às realidades próprias do ministério pastoral.

Ps. Um capítulo que me surpreendeu foi o número 20 "Não negligencie o avivamento". Vi como uma boa lembrança sobre a característica daquilo em que estamos envolvidos.

[Walter Shaw - · Rating 4 out of 5]

What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself?

Dear Timothy: Letters on Pastoral Ministry (edited by Tom Ascol, published by @foundersministries)is a collection of letters to a person just starting their time in ministry from twenty men with hundreds of years of combined ministry experience. As a young person just beginning in ministry, I felt like it was written directly to me.

What I especially love about this collection of letters is it is clear that each pastor gave advice on the specific area of ministry they are passionate about: Mark Dever gave advice on evangelism, Ray Ortlund wrote a great letter on revival, and Joel Beeke of course wrote two letters on the Puritans. Each letter contained a unique contribution and encouragement, but the entire book presented a unified biblical perspective on pastoral ministry.
The very last letter in the book encouraged me deeply. The main focus of the letter was the benefit of remaining in one place for an extended period of time, but what really encouraged me was the pastor’s tone of gratitude in having the privilege to work in pastoral ministry. There are many books written on the burden and difficulty of pastoral ministry, but it was refreshing to read about a man many years into his call to ministry who had not burned out, experienced a moral failure, or alienated his congregation in some way. What an encouragement to know it can be done!

I also appreciated how each pastor included a list of a few of their favorite books to recommend to people in ministry. The books that were most recommended by the contributors included Lectures to my Students by Charles Spurgeon and the Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter.

I would recommend this book to the person who wants to receive some wisdom!

This book was graciously provided to me by @foundersministries

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a rare example of when an anthology is done well. Each chapter was written by a different author on a different aspect of pastoral ministry but the book of a whole felt seamlessly united in theme, tone, and form. The concept of writing these letters to a fictional pastor seemed a little forced and distracting at some points, but the great advice from a host of experienced pastors more than made up for that. Great read for anyone interested in pastoring!

[Nate Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily consumable and approached in a conversational manner with a focus on application. The method of presenting each topic with a fictional letter opener (e.g., Dear Timothy, it has been a bit since we've last talked...) gets repetitive and sometimes many pages are just focused to introduce other reading materials. Other than these two factors, the book is handled with good categories for discussion and direction. Recommended for anyone new or considering pastoral ministry.

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich and encouraging

As a pastor who is six months into his calling I can’t begin to express how much I enjoyed this book. The advice and wealth of knowledge passed down in these pages are a treasure trove of wisdom drawn from years of faithful service from many solid preachers. The bibliography alone is worth its weight in gold.

[Simon Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

A selection of letters from various preachers and leaders to a fictional Timothy on taking on his first pastorate.

Lots of insight in this volume. Evidently written from a wealth of pastoral experience. Plenty to think about

[Jimmy Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to every pastor more so those starting out in ministry. The book was carefully written to encourage and advise pastors that they may live well and have faithful and fruitful ministries.

[Joey Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful book of letters written by seasoned pastors to the fictional “Timothy” who is in the early stages of his ministry.

Some chapters are better than others, but the first three are worth the price of the book.

[Ryan Wethern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! It is both encouraging and convicting.

[Keller (Charles Hack) Hackbusch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic cover to cover!

[Hugo Lopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um livro verdadeiramente pastor e com excelente conselhos para obreiros iniciantes.

[Sean McGowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful collection of letters aimed at men that are just entering ministry. Highly recommended for anyone that is considering the ministry.

[Jacob Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good stuff with some things you could quibble with here and there.

[Joshua Fang · Rating 5 out of 5]

读的改革宗翻译社出版的中译本。An excellent book for seminary graduates and young pastors. Faithful advices from experienced and reformed, sincere, senior servants.

[Josh Peglow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one. I appreciated how each essay took on a different subject and it wasn’t too repetitive.

[Arjen Admirant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Нудно написано, скучно. Есть некоторые хорошие советы для наставничество, но тоже очень узкое направление.