These are the most useful online resources on pastoral ministry that I’ve found on the web over the last 5-6 years. They are organized into categories in alphabetical order and cover subjects such as:
- Calling
- Character
- Dangers
- Disappointment
- Evangelism
- Family
- Funerals
- Health
- Money, and so on.
For more online resources on various subjects (like Top 500 Online Resources on Preaching, click here.
BOOKS
Best Books On Pastoral Theology
Top 10 Books on Christian Leadership
What are the top 10 books every pastor should read…and re-read? | Practical Shepherding
Book Recommendations…for the pastor’s encouragement | Practical Shepherding
Still Not Professionals (Free eBook) – Desiring God
Pastoral Theology: Some Book Recommendations – Kevin DeYoung
6:37: A young preacher’s library
CALLING
Biblical Callings, Responsibilities, and Qualifications of a Pastor
Consider preschool before the pulpit | Blogging Theologically
When the Call to Teach Isn’t Audible | The Cripplegate
5 Questions To Ask Before You Join The Ministry | J.A. Medders
Has God Called You? Discerning the Call to Preach | AlbertMohler.com
Am I called to the ministry? | HeadHeartHand Blog
How Can I Tell If I’m Called to Pastoral Ministry? | Kevin DeYoung
Are You Called to Be a Pastor? | Justin Taylor
How can I decide whether or not I should be a pastor? | 9Marks
CHARACTER
Honesty and Ethics Rating of Clergy Slides to New Low
Eleven Reasons Pastors Are Trusted Less Today
A Word to the Introverted Pastor: Be Extroverted on Sunday | Ron Edmondson
The Preacher’s Character by Rick Gamble | Reformed Theology Articles at Ligonier.org
Sam Storms: Oklahoma City, OK > Pastoral Bullies
Ed Stetzer – Thursday Is for Thinkers with Katie Persinger: Above Reproach, Not Unapproachable
Brothers, Live a Visible, Exemplary, Everyday Life – Desiring God
Pride in the Pulpit – The Gospel Coalition Blog
What to look for in a pastor « THE CHRISTIAN PUNDIT
A Question of Priorities – Reformation21
Your Ministry Is Not Your Identity – The Gospel Coalition Blog
Successful Ministry « THE CHRISTIAN PUNDIT
Alistair Begg: “Inadequacy: The Surprising Secret to Being Useful to God” – Justin Taylor
The shepherd’s soul « The Wanderer
A question of character – Reformation21 Blog
Above Reproach by John MacArthur | Reformed Theology Articles at Ligonier.org
The Most Essential Life Skill: Teachability | HHH
DANGERS
Seven Warning Signs of a Leader’s Fall
Seven Deadly Thoughts of Leaders
Mario Vega: Facing the Tough Decisions Surrounding Moral Failure – churchrelevance.com
7 Ways I Protect My Ministry and Marriage From an Affair – Ron Edmondson
9 Warning Signs of a Pastor Losing His Way | ChurchPastor.com
When Pastors Fall: Why Full and Public Repentance Matters | The Exchange | A Blog by Ed Stetzer
7 Steps Down the Staircase of Dishonesty – Trevin Wax
7 Deadly Diseases of Pastoral Ministry | Scribblepreach
Sexual Lines no Pastor Should Cross | Guest Views
When Ministry Becomes a Mistress (by Dave Kraft) | Crossway
7 Steps to Avoid Sexual Sin and Stay in Ministry – The Gospel Coalition Blog
Pastoral Idolatry: 10 Common Forms of False Righteousness in Ministry | Pastoralized
The Danger of Defining Yourself by What You Are Against | The Cripplegate
DISAPPOINTMENT
Avoiding Disappointment Distraction | TGC | The Gospel Coalition
Borrowed Light: Why Ministers Need the Wilderness
Pastoral Ministry: A Sure Way to Be Dishonored | Christian Counseling & Education Foundation
Pastors Are Hurting – ThomRainer.com
For Anyone Who Has Ever Been Discouraged in Ministry – Justin Taylor
Encouragement for Pastors Tempted with Depression – Justin Taylor
Dealing With Disappointment in the Church, from Kevin DeYoung « Creed:or:Chaos
7 Questions for Discouraged Pastors to Ask Themselves | ChurchPastor.com
Haters Gonna Hate: How To Deal With Three Kinds Of Hate Mail: HHH
EVANGELISM
How Does a Pastor Make Time for Evangelism? – Desiring God
6 Ways To Develop an Evangelistic Culture in Your Church – Reformation21 Blog
Showing, Telling, and the Gospel – Borrowed Light
Why Joy Increases Through Evangelism | Gentle Reformation
6 Evangelistic Motivators | Scribblepreach
8 Lessons on Evangelism from Proverbs by David Murray | Ligonier Ministries Blog
4 Ways We Need to Grow in Evangelism | J.D. GREEAR
Cultivating a Passion for Evangelism in Your Church | the Cripplegate
How can your church be more evangelistic? | Blogging Theologically
The Secret to Spurgeon’s Evangelistic Ministry by Steven Lawson | Ligonier Ministries Blog
A Calvinist Evangelist? by Keith Mathison | Ligonier Ministries Blog
Everyday Evangelistic Conversations | Tim Brister
The Pastor’s Example of Evangelism by Steven Lawson | Reformed Theology Articles at Ligonier.org
The Pastor and the Community – Kevin DeYoung
FAMILY
Nine Secrets Your Pastor’s Wife Wishes You Knew – Shattered Magazine
John Wesley’s Failed Marriage (Reprise) | the Cripplegate
True Woman | Thick Skin, Tender Heart, and What Every Pastor’s Wife Needs Most
12 Reasons Pastors’ Wives Are Lonely
What is one of my greatest marriage mistakes as a pastor? | Practical Shepherding
20Schemes » Why A Good Wife Is The Difference Between Success & Failure
6 Ways To Serve Your Pastor’s Wife On Sunday | Ryan Huguley
Battling Discouragement as a Pastor’s Wife – The Gospel Coalition Blog
How Much Should a Pastor Tell His Wife? – The Gospel Coalition Blog
What Pastors Shouldn’t Tell Their Wives | The Heidelblog
What Your Pastor Tells His Wife about You
A Word to the Pastor’s Wife | Crossway
Flourish: An Online Community for Ministry Wives – Trevin Wax
The Pastor’s Wife and Her Primary Ministry – The Gospel Coalition Blog
The Pastor’s Wife Is a Pastor’s Wife – The Gospel Coalition Blog
The Pastor’s Wife Is Simply a Wife | ChurchPlanting.com
Is There an Office for Pastors’ Wives? | 9Marks
Minister’s wife | Evangelicals Now
7 Suggestions for a Pastor or Pastor’s Spouse to Find True Friends | Ron Edmondson
The Pastor’s Wife: A Position or Juxtaposition? | 9Marks
30 Practical Ways For Pastors to Love Their Wives & Families | 9Marks
How much should a pastor and his wife share with one another? | Practical Shepherding
Her.meneutics: Guarding Your Marriage without Dissing Women
Seven Things I’ve Learned from Joyous Pastors’ Wives
The Pastor’s Kid: My Happy Childhood | TGC | The Gospel Coalition
How Pastors Can Care For Their Children – The Gospel Coalition Blog
How Churches Can Care for Their Pastor’s Children – The Gospel Coalition Blog
Seven Things We Learned from Pastors’ Kids
Pastoring Your Family – Kevin DeYoung
Out of Ur: The Fishbowl, My Friend
Leading the Church While Leading your Family | 9Marks
What are 3 common areas of neglect in a pastor’s life? | Practical Shepherding
3 Reflections on Leading Your Family Well – The Gospel Coalition Blog
Embracing the Biblical Tension Between Family and Church Ministry – The Gospel Coalition Blog
Why Family Time is a Pastor’s Job Description | The Cripplegate
How can I make sure I am individually shepherding my children? – The Gospel Coalition Blog
The Pastor’s Kid (1) « THE CHRISTIAN PUNDIT
Preachers’ Daughters (2) « THE CHRISTIAN PUNDIT
FUNERALS
How do I prepare a sermon for a funeral? | Practical Shepherding
He Buried 200 Church Members. | Ordinary Pastor
What made my most recent funeral the most difficult I have ever preached? | Practical Shepherding
6 Points on Leading Funeral Services: An Open Letter To Pastors | Seedbed
Six things not to say at a funeral
7 Tips for Preaching a Stranger’s Funeral – The Gospel Coalition Blog
I’m Thankful For Christian Funerals « Mike Lee
How to Lead an Unbeliever’s Funeral – The Gospel Coalition Blog
Words Of Comfort For Bereaved Parents | HHH
HEALTH
Five Keys to Recharging This Summer – ThomRainer.com
What It Takes to Survive and Thrive in Ministry | TGC | The Gospel Coalition
Anxiety and Depression, My Strange Friends | TGC | The Gospel Coalition
How to Maintain Pastoral Zeal While Avoiding Pastoral Burnout | TGC
Top Ten Causes of Depression in Pastors | Andrew Knott.org
Eight Ways to Spot Emotionally Healthy Pastors and Staff
7 Ways The Lord Uses Depression in the Life of a Minister
Seven of the Greatest Stressors on Pastors
How Many Hours Should Pastors Work? — DashHouse.com
When We Are Worn Out « Preaching Barefoot
11 Mental, Emotional & Spiritual Challenges Unique to Rural Pastors | Think Theology
How to Pull Out of the Burnout Spiral – The Gospel Coalition Blog
Should a pastor have a day off every week? | Practical Shepherding
Physical Exercise: What I Do and Why (Part 1) – Desiring God
Physical Exercise: What I Do and Why (Part 2) – Desiring God
Why should pastors regularly take time off? | Practical Shepherding
Depression And The Ministry: (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5)
Rest and the Pastor’s Soul – Pure Church by Thabiti Anyabwile
Six simple ways to avoid burnout | HHH
JOY
When Productivity Strangles Joy in Ministry | TGC | The Gospel Coalition
Credo Magazine » The Joy of the Pastor-Professor (Matthew Barrett)
30 Reasons Why It Is a Great Thing to Be a Pastor – Desiring God
Ministry Miseries Or Pastoral Pleasures | HHH
Can you enjoy ministry too much? |HHH
MONEY
The Pastor and Personal Finances
Ask RC: How well should pastors be paid? – R.C. Sproul Jr.
Piper on Pastors’ Pay – The Gospel Coalition Blog
Parsonage Living vs. Owning a Home
How does a church decide what to pay a pastor? | Practical Shepherding
Eight Common Money Questions Asked by Pastors
Should Pastors Have A Salary Cap? | For Christ and Culture
You Asked: What Are Guidelines for Setting a Pastor’s Salary? – The Gospel Coalition Blog
6 Thoughts for Pastors on Personal Finances – Eric Geiger
MOVING/LEAVING
How do you counsel a pastor when it is time to leave his church? | Practical Shepherding
Why Do So Many Pastors Leave The Ministry? The Facts Will Shock You
Why Pastors Quit – Kevin DeYoung
5 Things to Do Before Leaving Your Church: The Pastor Edition – Pure Church by Thabiti Anyabwile
Some Questions and Thoughts on Ministerial Calls I – Reformation21 Blog
Pastors Leaving Their Flocks | Meet The Puritans
10 Real Reasons Pastors Quit Too Soon by Tim Peters – ChurchLeaders.com
Succession Plans and Growing Older – Justin Taylor
A Letter from Kabwata: The Challenges of a Lengthy Pastorate
Why I left my congregation | HHH
ORGANIZATION
Nine Issues Regarding Pastors and Office Hours
Top 50 Online Resources on Time Management
The Tension Between Being Accessible and Being Available | Ron Edmondson
As a pastor, how do you avoid micromanaging your church? – Desiring God
10 Ways to Delegate But Not Frustrate | the Cripplegate
What aspects of your pastoral weekly routine do you find helpful? | Practical Shepherding
How to Run an Elders’ Meeting – The Gospel Coalition Blog
Top 10 biblical priorities for every pastor…revealed. | Practical Shepherding
The Pastor and his Staff, Part 2 | 9Marks
Ten Tips to Becoming a More Productive Pastor – ThomRainer.com
Relax! You’ll Be More Productive |HHH
17 Tips For Better Church Meetings | HHH
PODCASTS
Conversations with Christian Leaders: 3 New Podcasts | TGC
PRAYER
Pastors, Ask for Prayer – Kevin DeYoung
Why Pastors and Elders Need Your Prayers – Kevin DeYoung
Prayer as Pastoral Work – The Gospel Coalition Blog
What Pastors Pray For (Infographic)
How does a pastor cultivate a ministry of prayer with other pastors? | Practical Shepherding
Five books every Christian should read on prayer
What is the most common ministry priority that a pastor neglects? | Practical Shepherding
Brian G. Hedges : Prepare Your Public Prayers: Helpful Advice from D. A. Carson
9 Reasons Why Church Leaders Struggle with Prayer
Some Practical Help for Leading a Prayer Meeting | Ordinary Pastor
13 Thoughts About Pastoral Prayers
Thirteen Tips for Leading the Congregation in Prayer – Kevin DeYoung
PREACHING
Top 500+ Online Resources on Preaching
How Sermons Work: Lectures On Preaching
SHEPHERDING
What should be the main priorities for the pastor to shepherd the flock? | Practical Shepherding
Borrowed Light: 5 Ways to Deal With Difficult People
Five Love Languages of Pastors
How to Always Be Ready to Care for Your Congregation | Pastoralized
My pastoral confidentiality policy | Tom Ascol Blog |
How does a pastor shepherd a young couple he just married a few months ago? | Practical Shepherding
How To Call Guests | Ryan Huguley
Pastors, Love the Ones You’re With – The Gospel Coalition Blog
Some Thoughts On Ministering to the Sick and Dying – Kevin DeYoung
Visiting the Sick | Counseling One Another
The shepherd’s responsibilities and liabilities « The Wanderer
Seven Essential Elements of an Effective Shepherding Ministry | Andy Naselli
Some Thoughts on How to Provide Long Term Pastoral Care – Part 2 | CCEF
The Church Needs Shepherds, Not Coaches by Paul Lamey – Pastors
A Biblical Theology of the Good Shepherd – Feeding on Christ
A Minister and His Flock – Reformation21 Blog
How to (and how NOT to) Minister to Families Battling Cancer
How does the call to watch over souls relate to size of a church? | Practical Shepherding
Grieving, Hope and Solace | Challies Dot Com
Shepherding a Sick Wife | CBMW | The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Top 300 Online Resources on Counseling
Top 200 Online Resources on Leadership
Top 75 Online Resources on Disability & Special Needs
STARTING OUT
Advice To Young Pastors (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6)
4 Tips for the Pastor’s First Sixty Days | ChurchPastor.com
What should your first year as a pastor look like? | Practical Shepherding
Young Pastor, Obscurity Is Your Friend | HHH
Why Do Rookie Pastors Get Fired? |HHH
STUDENT MINISTRY
Seven Questions for Two College Pastors
Top 10 biblical priorities for every pastor…revealed. | Practical Shepherding
Pastoral Ministry and Wartime Thinking | Permanent Things
Two Questions that May Greatly Improve Your Church’s Ministry | TGC
5 Tools Needed to Reach Today’s Teens – The Gospel Coalition Blog
4 Lessons Learned From Student Ministry in an Urban Context – Reformed African American Network
Four Moments I’m Preparing Students to Face | TGC | The Gospel Coalition
STUDY
The Danger of Forgetting How to Read the Bible – The Gospel Coalition Blog
Why Pastors Should Read Over Their Heads – Kevin DeYoung
Pastors: Fight for the Time to Read! – Justin Taylor
The Barna Group – The Reading Habits of Today’s Pastors
Advice on Reading Noteworthy Theological Chapters, Articles and Sermons – Feeding on Christ
How Do You Prioritize What You Read? | Crossway
The Reading Habits Of Today’s Pastors | HHH
TECHNOLOGY
The Loss of Pastoral Credibility in the Age of the Internet | Alastair’s Adversaria
Pastor, how are you on Facebook so much? | Ron Edmondson
12 Social Media Tips For Church Leaders | Steve Fogg: Clear & Simple
Social Media Changes Everything…. | Ron Edmondson
Facebook guidelines for pastors and others | Wisdom for Life
Pastors and social media (1): Be Positive | HHH
Pastors and social media (2): Be Intentional | HHH
Pastors and Social media (3): Be Sociable | HHH
TRAINING
Ten Areas Where Pastors Need to Be Trained for the 21st Century
Orthodox Presbyterian Church – Officer Training and Pastoral Theology Resources
Top 200 Ministry Blogs – Church Blogs | churchrelevance.com
The Ministry (MP3 Series) by Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson (Monergism MP3)
Sinclair Ferguson de Dulk Lectures
VACATION
How much of a pastor’s vacation time should he use? | Practical Shepherding
Vacation for Pastors Who Won’t Take One – The Gospel Coalition Blog
How should a pastor spend his Lord’s Day while on vacation? | Practical Shepherding
VIDEOS
40 Years Of Gospel Ministry | John Macarthur
Longevity In The Ministry | Panel
Trends Among Evangelicals Entering Ministry – The Gospel Coalition Blog
A Selection of Excellent Church Training Videos – Trevin Wax
Five Great TED Talks for Ministry Leaders | Leadership Journal
Video Interview With Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Ministry Reflections With John Piper And R C Sproul
Sinclair Ferguson: Lessons From A Lifetime Of Pastoring
VISITATION
Have You Ever Had a Pastoral Visit? – White Horse Inn Blog
How to Visit Someone in the Hospital — Joe Holland
What are 10 practical tools when visiting new parents in the hospital? | Practical Shepherding
Eric McKiddie: 3 Steps to An Encouraging Hospital Visit | A Brick in the Valley
Pastor, Why Not Visit Their Workplace? | TGC | The Gospel Coalition
Pastoral Visitation: The God-Given Responsibility to Shepherd – Reformation21
Thoughts on visiting – Reformation21 Blog
What are 5 reasons Christians do not visit the sick and dying? | Practical Shepherding
Katekōmen: Pastoral Visitation: The Lost Work of Shepherding
What Should We Do When We Visit the Sick? – Kevin DeYoung
What are 10 practical tools to hospital visitation? | Practical Shepherding
A “normal” week of pastoral ministry| HHH
A “normal” pastoral visit | HHH
WEDDINGS
7 Issues to Address in Pre-Marital Counseling | Ron Edmondson
Premarital Counseling: Things to Cover | Ron Edmondson
Marriage Evaluation: Knowing Each Other & Healthy Expectations | Brad Hambrick
Meaning Of Marriage Study Guide
9 Marks: Marriage Book Comparisons
How does a pastor approach pre-marital counseling?: Practical Shepherding
WRITING
Why Pastors Should Blog | the Cripplegate
Jared Wilson on Writing and Pastoral Ministry – The Gospel Coalition Blog
Tim Keller on Writing and Ministry – The Gospel Coalition Blog
Why Do You Write? by R.C. Sproul Jr. | Ligonier Ministries Blog
5 Reasons Why Pastors Should Write | ChurchPastor.com
LESSONS FROM MINISTRY
10 Things I’d Do Differently if I Weren’t a Pastor Today | Ron Edmondson
Take Your Vitamin Z: Lessons from a Lifetime of Pastoring
If I Could Do My Ministry Over Again | Bob Russell
Seven Ways Pastoring Has Changed in Thirty Years
35 lessons from 35 years as a pastor | Tom Ascol Blog |
6 Lessons I Learned as a Rookie Pastor | GCD Articles & eBooks
10 Lessons I learned pastoring the same church for 10 years | Practical Shepherding
What are 8 painful lessons my pastor friend learned about pastoral ministry? | Practical Shepherding
Mea Culpa: Learning From Mistakes in Ministry (Part 1) By: Kyle McClellan | Practical Shepherding
Ten Things Pastors Wish They Knew Before They Became Pastors
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