Facing Snarls and Scowls: Preaching through Hostility, Apathy and Adversity in Church Revitalization

by Brian Croft, James B. Carroll

Pastor, the hard work of church revitalization is a unique experience and battle ground. It can feel like you’re all alone. But the trials you face are not new. Faithful preachers throughout scriptures and church history have encountered hostility, apathy, and adversity, and continue to do so today. Brian Croft and James Carroll share their personal stories and seek to encourage you to faithfully persevere in this Spirit–empowered, God–honoring, Christ–exalting work.

Genres: Leadership

160 pages, Paperback

Published July 29, 2019

About the author

Brian Croft is Senior Pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Brian is the founder of Practical Shepherding, a non-profit organization committed to equipping pastors all over the world in the practical matters of pastoral ministry.

Reviews

[Jim Savastio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should note that I am friends with both the men who wrote this book. That being said, this book is a great encouragement to those whose job it is to preach and teach the Bible. James and Brian speak not only through experience but with careful exegesis of several key passages of the scriptures as well as well chosen quotations of pastors from the past. The reality is that to teach and preach is wonderful and glorious and also hard. We can make it hard on ourselves, our circumstances can make it difficult and sometimes the 'snarls and scowls' as well the yawns of those who sit under our ministries can make it hard. A great encouragement to press on.

[CJ Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very helpful blend of historical examples, biblical exhortation, and personal testimony, all serving the goal of encouraging pastors to press on despite dispiriting circumstances. There is no sycophantic cheerleading here, as the authors call for self-aware acknowledgment of a preacher's own shortcomings, and warn of the sins that creep into a discouraged heart, but the focus of the book is on reminding pastors of the truth that God blesses the faithful preaching of His Word, strengthens and equips His servants for endurance, and uses suffering to refine His people, even and perhaps especially His ministers. I'm grateful for it.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book that is a part of the Practical Shepherding course work. I had the pleasure of taking a course from Brian Croft for new pastors through the Practical Shepherding website. And both the course and this book are so what I needed! I am a new pastor and this book is perfect for where I find myself right now! But all pastors can be encouraged and taught from this book. Highly recommended

[Holland Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Didn’t realise this was a preaching book, but boy, it was surprisingly really good. If you are preaching in a context where the community is not really receptive (i.e. most church revitalization contexts) then this is a good book to read.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last chapter on Preaching Through Adversity was particularly beneficial to me.

[Nathanael Barr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad wee book. Good examples from scripture and from history to point to the fact that these things should not surprise us when we face them. Just felt a little light on the actual issues and how to address and deal with them. But still a decent read.

[Tim Goldsmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a bad book by any means, but it did feel a little simple. The big idea is that all preachers of God's word will face adversity. Predictably the authors point to Charles Simeon, Jonothan Edwards & Charles Spurgeon as great preachers who had to undergo significant trials. A lot of time in the book is taken with the two authors telling stories of their own trials as ministers in the US South.
The upside is an encouragement to keep preaching expository sermons, continuing to come back to God's Spirit through God's word as the thing that will bring about change in people's lives. Croft and Carroll also spend some time reminding us that we don't want to actively participate in giving people reason to dislike us or our ministry.
I feel like any minister who has been around for a while could intuit most of what is said in this book. Nevertheless, it is nice to be reminded and for those whose "feet are to the fire", this may be just what they need!

[Dennis Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In our culture today, pastors face a plethora of problems. None of us enjoy hostility, apathy, and adversity, yet the authors remind us this is woven into the fabric of ministry. The illustrations and applications are rooted in Biblical principles and will help a faithful preacher find hope in difficult ministry. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one setting. I will share it with a Church Revitalization Learning Community on one of those moody, Monday mornings with a prayer it aids them as it has me.

[Roger Bryan Van Pelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two pastors vividly describe the emotional, spiritual and physical struggle they waged to continue in ministry and to offer their congregations quality expository sermons through their crises. Then they give insights and perspectives from the Scriptures to help other pastors to face and overcome their struggles also.

[Alastair Gooderham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and honest book about the pressures and struggles pastors so often face. With a strong call to preach the truth and grow in grace through affliction.

[Andrew Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was DEEPLY encouraged by this book. Every pastor of an established church should read it and check out other resources from Brian Croft and Practical Shepherding.

[Trevor Rosine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. I loved the specific context of preaching in a revitalization. Very helpful and encouraging!

[Andrew Krom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know this would be an encouraging book for pastors preaching through church revitalization!

[Jeffrey Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are several books out on preaching, but this is the first written specifically with pastors facing hostility, apathy, or affliction. Should a pastor leave these situations? Should they aim for the approval of the congregation even if it is in essence Christianity Light they're preaching? Or should they stay and continue to preach the Word to those who would rather have itching ears scratched?

There are three parts of this book. The first deals with the fact that preaching under these negative circumstances is nothing new, giving examples from the Bible and from church history. Two of the best known preachers - Jonathan Edwards and Charles Spurgeon - are used as examples of dealing with hardship.

The second section focuses on the importance of expository preaching. The third zeroes in on preaching expositorally in environments of hostility, apathy, and affliction, with the authors sharing some of their experiences.

I highly recommend for every pastor to read this book.

[John Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really encouraging little book read it in a day. It urges Pastors to keep preaching faithfully in the face of hostility apathy and adversity. The opening Chapter is particularly challenging and excellent. I felt the chapter on expository preaching characatured doctrinal topical preaching by critiquing very bad examples of it. (I think there is somewhat a false dichotomy these days that doctrinal/topical preaching cannot be expository, regardless of wether it is contextually faithful). That aside this really is an encouraging book that seeks to promote steadfast faithfulness to discouraged pastors and to that end it will no doubt achieve its aim. I would highly recommend this to others in pastoral ministry and those training for the ministry.

[Kenneth R. Callison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book on what it is like to preach in a hostile enviornment. It will serve you well as you endeavor to preach the gospel in difficult circumstances.