The Christian Ministry A Divine Institution

This classic on pastoral ministry is organized as follows: Part I. General View of the Christian Ministry Chapter I. The Divine Origin and Institution of the Christian Ministry Chapter II. The Dignity of the Christian Ministry Chapter III. The Uses and Necessity of the Christian Ministry Chapter IV. The Trials and Difficulties of the Christian Ministry Chapter V. The Comforts and Encouragements of the Christian Ministry Chapter VI. The Qualifications of the Christian Ministry Chapter VII. Preparation for the Christian Ministry Part II. General Causes of the Want of Success in the Christian Ministry Chapter I. The Scriptural Warrant and Character of Ministerial Success—Together With the Symptoms of Want of Success Chapter II. The Withholding of Divine Influence, the Main Cause of the Want of Ministerial Success Chapter III. The Enmity of the Natural Heart a Main Cause of the Want of Ministerial Success Chapter IV. The Power of Satan a Main Hindrance to Ministerial Success Chapter V. Local Hindrances to Ministerial Success Chapter VI. The Want of a Divine Call a Main Cause of Failure in the Christian Ministry Part III. Causes of Ministerial Inefficiency Connected With Our Personal Character Chapter I. Want of Entire Devotedness of Heart to the Christian Ministry Chapter II. Conformity to the World Chapter III. The Fear of Man Chapter IV. The Want of Christian Self-Denial Chapter V. The Spirit of Covetousness, Chapter VI. Neglect of Retirement Chapter VII. The Influence of Spiritual Pride Chapter VIII. Absence or Defect of Personal Religion Chapter IX. The Defect of Family Religion; And the Want of Connexion of the Minister’s Family With His Work Chapter X. Want of Faith Part IV. The Public Work of the Christian Ministry Chapter I. The Institution and Importance of the Ordinance of Preaching Chapter II. Preparation for the Pulpit Chapter III. The Scriptural Mode of Preaching the Law Chapter IV. The Scriptural Preaching of the Gospel Chapter V. The Mode of Scriptural Preaching Chapter VI. The Spirit of Scriptural Preaching Part V. The Pastoral Work of the Christian Ministry Chapter I. The Nature and Importance of the Pastoral Work Chapter II. Treatment of Cases in the Pastoral Work Chapter III. The Visitation of the Sick Chapter IV. Pastoral Ministry of the Young Chapter V. Sacramental Instruction Chapter VI. Clerical and Church Communion Chapter VII. The Office and Uses of Helpers Chapter VIII. Miscellaneous Part VI. Recollections of the Christian Ministry

The Angelic Conflict rages around us. This is not a world war. This is a war beyond the world—an invisible warfare between the forces of Satan and the forces of God. Ultimately God will win. Long before the advent of human history, Satan arrogantly rebelled against his Creator. He wanted to make himself “like the Most High” and recruited one-third of the angels to follow him. God justly condemned Satan and his fallen angels to spend eternity in the lake of fire. Satan appealed the sentence, claiming unfairness—questioning how a loving God could cast His creatures into hell. Planet Earth is now the battleground where Satan seeks to outmaneuver God, prove the judgment unfair, and foil the execution of his sentence. Satan will not suffer defeat without an intense struggle. God created man to resolve this angelic conflict. Human volition is the focal point of the firestorm. Will man choose God’s grace plan of salvation or follow the arrogant system of Satan? Through the freewill decisions of mankind, God proves to Satan His perfect justice and love again and again. As believers, it is imperative we understand this spiritual warfare that surrounds us. Satan uses every ruse at his command to derail and discredit those who are in Christ. For our defense, God has provided an overwhelming advantage in a powerful suit of spiritual armor. With it we can withstand the “flaming missiles of the evil one” and become heroes in the invisible war. God is glorified as we lock shields and stand firm on His power and Word.

Fr. Maldari offers a vision of Christian ministry as a community in which each member actively participates in fostering creation's evolution toward fulfillment. While ministry is ultimately cooperating with God in furthering the process of creation to its fulfillment in salvation, it also humbly recognizes human limitation and dependence upon the Holy Spirit.