Pastoral Theology: The Pastor's Call

The Pastor’s Call provides an exegetical and theological understanding of all the elements involved in a call to the pastoral office. In the present redemptive-historical context, when the Lord no longer gives direct revelation to men, this book rests on the conviction that Scripture is sufficient to provide a man with everything he needs to discern if the ascended Christ has given him as a gift to the church. Author Biography Jeffrey B. Johnson, otherwise known as “Pastor JJ”, is an elder at Grace Immanuel Reformed Baptist Church and received his Master of Divinity from Reformed Baptist Seminary. Pastor JJ grew up in South Carolina with the blessing of two loving parents and was saved at the age of 17. In January 2008, he and his wife made the transition from the temperate climate of the Carolinas to Grand Rapids and was ordained as a pastor for GIRBC, where he has faithfully served ever since. Pastor Jeff and his wife, Lisa, have two children. Endorsements Here is a resource, both thoughtful and practical, that aspirants to the ministry should read carefully for self-examination and that office bearers charged with evaluating potential pastors would profit from studying thoroughly. -Dr. Joel R. Beeke Chancellor of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary Few seminaries ask incoming students about their call to the ministry. Evangelical mega-churchism has created an environment where many pastors are merely professionals, pursuing a career. In this fog where the call to the ministry has been all but lost, Jeff Johnson brings a breath of fresh air to the nearly forgotten, yet vital doctrine of the call to the ministry. Jeff Johnson is a seasoned pastor who has worked through the call to the ministry. Jeff is a safe guide. He is biblically sure-footed and a committed churchman and pastor. His wisdom and insight on the call are much needed today. This book will prove valuable to young men who are trying to discern whether they are called, and to elderships, giving them a biblical foundation for assessing the call. I heartily recommend this book and hope that it leads to more called men entering the ministry and fewer uncalled men avoiding the ministry. -Dr. Brian Borgman Author and Founding Pastor of Grace Community Church, Minden, NV Jeff Johnson writes about the call to pastoral ministry with insight and conviction. The Pastor’s Call combines careful exegesis, pastoral wisdom, and personal authenticity born of experience. Jeff is a trusted friend and fellow laborer whose life and service lends weight to his words. This book will help aspiring pastors, seasoned elders, and local churches think biblically and act faithfully in discerning Christ’s call to shepherd His flock. I warmly commend it. -Dr. Robert Gonzales Jr. Reformed Baptist Seminary There is nothing perhaps more urgent in our day than a return to a clear and biblical understanding of the call to the ministry. My friend, Jeff Johnson, has addressed the call to the ministry in a way that recalls the church today to the higher standards for the ministry of the past and to a refreshed understanding of the call to the ministry as necessarily both internal and external. May God bless his labors to the church today. -Dr. Sam Waldron Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary “This book is a timely reminder of the biblical and historical understanding of the call to ministry. Drawing on Scripture, church history, and personal experience, Jeff Johnson explores the internal and external calls to ministry, offering a vital corrective to contemporary confusion. A must-read for those seeking to restore robust Christianity in the church’s pulpit!" -Dr. Conrad Mbewe Pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church and Founding Chancellor of African Christian University, Lusaka, Zambia View Less