Weak Pastor, Strong Christ

The second letter to the Corinthians is a touchstone for pastors seeking advice on effective ministry. It is a revealing window into the tumult of Paul's relationship with this congregation that shows Paul's concern for the spiritual welfare of a local church. Although he loved the Corinthians dearly and labored for them intensely, their relationship was marked by the tensions and challenges that are acutely familiar to church leaders today: unclear expectations, comparison to other pastors, criticisms of ministry style, vocational stresses, disputes over money, and more. Reuben Bredenhof expertly unpacks these complexities and reveals Paul's vision for Christ-shaped gospel ministry--a vision that can help you, too. Table of Contents: Introduction: Searching for a Model of Ministry Serving under Pressure Building a Ministerial Identity Pastoring Like a Father Preaching for the Glory of Christ Facing a Barrage of Criticism Handling Money Wisely Being a Willing Sufferer Working with Purpose Afterword: Traveling from Corinth to Today