In one book Dr. Ron Churchill shares the wisdom gathered in almost 60 years of experience as pastor of Baptist churches. Everything a new or young pastor needs to know about building a church and relating to people in the pew is included. Read this book and you will know the essentials of pastoral ministry, working with senior adults, single adults, and Sunday School classes. Dr. Churchill outlines in clever ways how to deal with difficult people, and how to help deacons and lay leadership become successful in the church's programs and ministries.

Dr. Churchill is candid, humorous and uses straight talk about many issues, problems, and opportunities that a young pastor will encounter. His specialty is evangelism, specifically, leading someone to a personal relationship with Christ, and gives heart-felt stories from his experience. Pastoral counseling, conducting funerals, how to make hospital visits, the minister's personal finances and investments, personal integrity in the ministry, and even how to know when it is time to seek another leadership position - all covered in details in this book, all of which comes from the personal experience of a successful pastor. The author even details the scriptures one must have memorized which are useful in many circumstances in ministry and outlines his secret to a vibrant pulpit ministry.

This is a must read for young pastors, and nothing else will compare to the wealth of knowledge Dr. Churchill shares. This is the "idea book" of practical advice and suggestions written in plain language with meaningful stories and illustrations.

R. Page Fulgham, Th.D.

Retired Baptist Pastor, Guest Professor Baugh Center of Baptist Leadership, Mercer University