Priorities for the Church: Rediscovering the Leadership and Vision in the Church

by Donald Macleod

Publisher:

Christian Focus

, 2003

Overview

Jesus promised that as long as the earth remains His Church will continue. When we survey the Church and how it relates to the world sometimes we have to wonder why he would bother. The Church is not a building, nor is it a structure of government; it is a body of believers. Christians make up the Church, and it is our responsibility to prayerfully think through how the Church can address its role in society. Sitting idly by is no longer an option.

As the church drifts along, splintered, distracted, all too willing to slip from its theological moorings, and often showing a remarkable lack of love, its influence on society dwindles— either becoming indistinguishable from the world or becoming so unrelated that it appears to be a relic of an entirely different era. Donald Macleod brings his customary flourish to this most pressing topic. His effortless ability to communicate complicated issues ensures that the message he conveys is clear.

Contents

Top Highlights

“the third thing: effective preaching depends on our being obsessed with our craft” (Page 17)

“Secondly, by making sure that we spend every forenoon in our studies” (Page 16)

“Spurgeon is justified, therefore, in saying that ‘the first sign of the heavenly call is an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work. In order to a true call to the ministry there must be an irresistible, overwhelming craving and raging thirst for telling to others what God has done to our own souls.’” (Page 32)

“Secondly, the minister was never meant to bear the whole burden of pastoral ministry on his own” (Page 19)

“Thirdly, the minister cannot shirk his own counselling role” (Page 20)

Product Details

• Title: Priorities for the Church: Rediscovering the Leadership and Vision in the Church
• Author: Donald MacLeod
• Publisher: Christian Focus Publications
• Publication Date: 2003
• Pages: 144

About Donald Macleod

Donald Macleod (MA, University of Glasgow; DD, Westminster Theological Seminary), now retired, served as professor and chair of systematic theology at the Free Church of Scotland College in Edinburgh and also as the school's principal. He pastored Kilmallie Free Church for six years and also served at Patrick Highland Free Church, a bi-lingual congregation in Glasgow, Scotland. He is well known as a previous editor of The Monthly Record of the Free Church and as a columnist in the West Highland Free Press and The Observer newspaper.