Weak Pastor, Strong Christ: Developing a Christ-Shaped Gospel Ministry

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 PressureBuilding a Ministerial IdentityPastoring Like a FatherPreaching for the Glory of ChristFacing a Barrage of CriticismHandling Money WiselyBeing a Willing SuffererWorking with Purpose

Afterword: Traveling from Corinth to Today