#21 - The Reformed Pastor

I've been meaning to read Richard Baxter's classic for quite some time. It is a book written primarily for pastors but it is not about reformed theology / Calvinistic doctrine. Baxter is seeking to reform pastors in their practice of ministry, both in personal character and weekly duties.
Baxter is one of the strongest advocates for personal visitation and catechizing. He not only believed in the strong preaching of the Word from the pulpit but also the personal ministry of home visitation to every member of his church. During these visits, he led the family, especially urging the father to continue this work, in question and answer sessions regarding Christian doctrine.

Baxter was so organized and systematic about it all that he visited every family (800 families were in his church!) at least once a year. From what I understand, this comprehensive ministry led to a transformation of so many individuals in the community of Kidderminster in the 17th century that the whole area was transformed. Here are some quotes:

• O what abundance of good might ministers do, if they would but live in contempt of the world, and the riches and glory thereof, and expend all they have in their Master's service, and pinch their flesh, that they may have wherewith to do good!
• We must have a special eye upon families, to see that they are well ordered, and the duties of each relation performed...Persuade the master of every family to cause his children and servants to repeat the Catechism to him, every Sabbath evening, and to give him some account of what they have heard at church during the day.
• You are not like to see any general reformation, till you procure family reformation. Some little religion there may be, here and there; but while it is confined in single persons, and is not promoted in families, it will not prosper, nor promise much future increase.
• We must be diligent in visiting the sick, and helping them to prepare for a fruitful life, or a happy death. Though this should be the business of all of our life and theirs, yet doth it, at such a season, require extraordinary care both of them and us.
• [In explaining the necessity for church discipline] What will you do with such sinners? Will you give them up as hopeless? That would be more cruel that administering reproof to them. Will you use other means? Why, it is supposed that all other means have been used without success; for this is the last remedy. The principal use of this public discipline is not for the offender himself, but for the Church. It tendeth exceedingly to deter others from like crimes, and so to keep the congregation and their worship pure.
• There must be a prudent mixture of severity and mildness both in our preaching and discipline;
• Our whole work must be carried on under a deep sense of our own insufficiency, and of our entire dependence on Christ.
• How few ministers do preach with all their might, or speak about everlasting joys and everlasting torments in such a manner as may make men believe that they are in good earnest!
• What have we our time and strength for, but to lay them out for God? What is a candle made for, but to burn? Burned and wasted we must be; and is it not fitter it should be in lighting men to heaven, and in working for God, than in living to the flesh? How little difference is there between the pleasure of a long and of a short life, when they are both at an end!
• A soul is so precious that we should not lose one for want of labour, but follow them while there is any hope, and not give them up as desperate, till there be no remedy. Before we give them over, let us try the utmost, that we may have the experience of their obstinate contempt, to warrant our forsaking them. Charity beareth and waiteth long.
• But surely he that valueth souls, and knoweth what an opportunity is before him, will go through the exercise with deep seriousness, and will be as earnest with them as for life or death.
  

I appreciated Baxter's emphasis of doing everything possible to avoid hypocrisy. I also liked his strong emphasis on ministering to families. And maybe he was a product of his times, but his serious tone resonated with me too. I know and experience great joy in Christ, but often times I feel the weight and gravity of working for the eternal fate of men's souls.

This was a very good book for pastors. I see why so many recommend it for those in ministry, and I whole-heartedly concur.