Description
Church planting and revitalization is a unique ministry, filled with challenges. Thankfully, the apostle Paul exhorted his young disciple Titus through a brief, power-packed letter full of encouragement and instruction. In like manner, this collection of writings from seasoned pastors, planters, and church revitalizers contains hundreds of years of combined wisdom and experience. Contributors include Tom Ascol, Nick Batzig, James Coates, Carl Hargrove, Jon Benzinger, Conrad Mbewe, Dustin Benge, Wes Pastor, and others.
Book Details
Dear Titus: Letters on Church Planting
Edited by Nate Pickowicz
©2024 Nate Pickowicz, Tom Ascol, Nick Batzig, Dustin Benge, Jon Benzinger, Conrad Mbewe, Carl Hargrove, James Coates, Steve Swartz, Wes Pastor, Eric Weathers, Phil Hunt
Published by Founders Press
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN: 978-1-943539-63-5(Hardback)
ISBN: 978-0-9705248-7-4 (Paperback)
ISBN: 978-0-9785711-2-2 (eBook)
ISBN: 978-0-9833590-1-2 (Audiobook)
Endorsements
Church planting is vital kingdom work that requires divine blessing, dependence on the Holy Spirit, biblical clarity, pastoral faithfulness, practical wisdom, and evangelistic zeal. In this collection of letters, thirteen seasoned pastors with a proven track record exhort fledgling church planters on such crucial topics as mission, calling, pastoral gifts and graces, vigilance, discipleship, diligence, holiness, teaching, preaching, and prayer. May the Lord use this invaluable manual of warm, biblical, and experiential poimenics and ecclesiology to prepare and encourage many “Tituses” in our day!
Joel R. Beeke,
Chancellor and Professor of Homiletics & Systematic Theology
Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Dear Titus is a thoroughly pastoral treatment of what, in my personal opinion, is the most underappreciated and least-studied of all the Pauline epistles. Under the faithful stewardship of Nate Pickowicz, the contributors to Dear Titus have brought fresh light to the invaluable principles and precepts contained in the book of Titus, and have personalized them in such a practical way as to be of immense encouragement to those who are joyfully toiling to bring the Word of God to, as Dr. Carl Hargrove says in Dear Titus, “a people in dire need of the gospel to save and order their lives.”
Darrell B. Harrison,
Teaching Pastor and Biblical Counselor,
Redeemer Bible Church
If God is leading you to plant a church, this book is a must read. The combined wisdom of the contributors along with the pastoral heart expressed by each comes across on every page. They provide practical advice on a variety of subjects including managing your time, loving your family, leading God’s flock, and guarding your ministry. I am also encouraged by how relevant the advice remains for me, even after almost two decades at the church where I pastor. There are nuggets of wisdom throughout the book that I have already begun to put into practice. This is no mere list of ministerial theories. This is a treasure of wisdom from men who have stood firm and continue to fight the good fight.
Dr. M. Keith Foskey, D.Min.
Sovereign Grace Family Church
We need more books like this! Dear Titus puts forth a high view of the local church and a high view of the office of elder. The wisdom shared in these pages is unashamedly rooted in the Scriptures while flowing from 300+ years of combined pastoral experience. Not only is every chapter robustly doctrinal and wonderfully practical but this work offers a refreshing encouragement for pastors everywhere. This is certainly related to the fact that each chapter highlights the wonderful grace of God in the gospel and the need for pastors to rest in it, preach it, and keep it as priority in the church, home, and personal life. Nate Pickowicz and the rest of the contributors are serious about the holy calling of men in ministry while writing in such a way that gave me a renewed zeal to faithfully shepherd the flock of God in my own town for Christ’s glory. I heartily recommend this work not only to church planters, but to both experienced and novice pastors, as well as all Christians who love the local church and want to see her leaders flourish.
Allen S. Nelson IV
Pastor, Providence Baptist Church,
Author, From Death to Life: How Salvation Works, Before the Throne: Reflections on God’s Holiness, and A Change of Heart: Understanding Regeneration and Why it Matters
I look up to pastors. They are my heroes. So many serve faithfully, quietly, and courageously, encouraging the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. And we need more men, well-trained in the historic Christian faith, who are raised up for this task. Dear Titus includes contributions from many seasoned pastors, offering biblical wisdom and practical guidance. It is a valuable resource for strengthening and reaffirming convictional Christian pastoral ministry. At a time when defection from the truth is rampant and many in ministry have lost their nerve, this book provides the needed encouragement and clarity to remain steadfast in gospel ministry. Additionally, as church planting efforts struggle to keep up with population growth in many places worldwide, this manuscript serves as a crucial tool to prepare and equip leaders for the task. Nate Pickowicz’s labor to produce this volume will arrive right on time.
Chris Larson
President & CEO, Ligonier Ministries
Contents
Foreword
Preface
1. Know Your Mission – Nate Pickowicz
2. Know Your Calling – Carl Hargrove
3. Appoint Elders – Conrad Mbewe
4. Guard the Ministry – James Coates
5. Engage in Discipleship – Phil Hunt
6. Work Hard – Eric Weathers
7. Engage in Personal Holiness – Wes Pastor
8. Preach the Scriptures – Steve Swartz
9. Maintain Your Witness – Dustin Benge
10. Teach the Gospel – Nick Batzig
11. Protect Unity – Nate Pickowicz
12. Engage in Good Deeds – Jon Benzinger
13. Keep Praying – Tom Ascol
Recommended Reading
Contributors
Scripture Index
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