15 Characteristics of Effective Pastors
by Kevin W. Mannoia and Larry Walkemeyer
Published by Regal Books
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Reviewed by Rev. Alex McGilvery
Subtitled: How to Strengthen Your Inner Core and Ministry Impact
15 Characteristics of Effective Pastors is one of those books that should sit on your shelf to be taken down and reviewed every once in while. The authors have assembled this list with the help of nine respected pastors in different regions through the US. The names and short biographies of these nine are listed at the back of the book. The authors don’t pretend that they invented the characteristics. In fact they were chosen from a list of sixty four (also listed at the back) by the panelists.
What I most appreciated about this book is that it is not just one more collection of ways for pastors to improve themselves. Rather it is a description of what effective pastors look like. The impetus for improvement comes, as Kevin and Larry insist throughout the book, from our relationship with God. While there are things that we can do to be more open to that relationship, the work is God’s.
Another aspect of 15 Characteristics that I liked is that it is an encouraging book. No matter where we are on our journey of serving God as a pastor, whether we feel like failures or successes, the authors let us know that we are never beyond God’s grace. There is also a great deal of room for individuality. The authors state that we are all unique creations and will serve God best when we are being what God created us to be. In this light they give us a bonus chapter on different kinds of leadership.
15 Characteristics of Effective Pastors is written first for pastors, but it is a useful book for anyone who lives or works with pastors. I would recommend this book to churches, committees and families who need to help pastors evaluate themselves and their ministry. While pastors are the main audience, and occupy a unique place in the Church, every Christian will find their lives improved by taking the advice to be found in this book: Love and serve God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
Armchair Interviews says: Unique look at effective pastors.