The Role of the Pastoral Leader in the Church Today

About the Book

The Role of the Pastoral Leader in the Church Today is a book every pastor should want the church he leads to read. In this book, the people of the church come to understand the call of the pastor and what his true biblical qualifications should be. This book examines the character of the pastor as well as outlines and describes his main responsibilities in caring for the church body. The apostle Paul wrote, “And He [God] Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4:11, NKJV). This and other passages like it reveal it is God who gives the church the pastor. In Acts 6, the pastors of the early church laid out what their priorities were to be, but this is not where many churches are today, and this is not what many who are called to lead the church today are doing. This book confronts where we have gotten away from God’s plan for God’s man and may even be the revealing factor behind why so many pastors are leaving the church today. When we have the wrong man in the wrong place, being asked to do the wrong thing, we are destined for hardship, at least, and failure, more than likely. The Role of the Pastoral Leader in the Church Today is the book every pastor-search or nominating committee should read before taking on the task. More times than not, we are asking people to step into a role on these committees that that they are ill-equipped for. This is not to say these are not spiritual people or even the most spiritually deep people of the church they are in. However, they may not be familiar with what to look for and the questions to qualify whether a man is truly called by God to be a pastor or not. They may have some exposure to, but not a thorough understanding of, the biblical qualifications of a pastor. While character is an issue, what do you need to look for? And how do you best discover the type of character and track record of caring for the church your candidate has? And beyond his testimony, call to ministry, and track record, is there any other (and if there are, what are they?) pertinent things the church committee should consider to determine whether their candidates are fit for the role of pastoral leader in their church? Things besides what school he attended and whom he knows. The Role of the Pastoral Leader in the Church Today is challenging to the way many churches are getting God’s man into God’s place to do God’s thing and how they let him do it once he is there. This is an eye-opening book to give pastors and churches a look at how to work together for the glory of God. My prayer is that all who read it will be enlightened, encouraged, and empowered by the role of the pastoral leader in the church today.

About the Author

William Daniel Burnham has over twenty years of combined ministry and business experience. He has been honored with the privilege of ministering to God’s people and leading Christ’s church to follow the great commission and the great commandments in advancing God’s kingdom work. His passion is to continue to lead Christ’s church as a senior pastor by using his God-given spiritual gifts, education, and special skills to help people encounter God, connect with one another, and apply biblical truths so they may grow in spiritual maturity and be salt and light in a practical way to the world in which they live. William Burnham has attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned his associate degree in pastoral ministries in 2000 and bachelor of arts degree in Christian ministries / pastoral ministries in 2004. In 2008, he received his master of divinity degree in theological studies from Louisiana Baptist University and, in 2011, his PhD in communication, with a focus on leadership. William Burnham was ordained for the gospel ministry at Mount Zion Baptist Church, Snellville, Georgia, on September 2, 1998, and licensed by the same church on March 12, 1998. He possesses the skills of a communicator and teacher, including oral, written, and public presentation. He is known for his strong leadership, leadership training, as well as being a developer, organizer, coordinator, and instructor. He has experience as an organizer and delegator, with the ability to multitask and utilize administrative skills. William is a proven troubleshooter; he is solution-minded, with coaching and team-building skills. He has great people skills, with a passion for people to reach their full potential. He is a pastor, teacher, and author of several books, including The Gifting; two Bible commentaries (Old and New Testament), both titled Traveling through the Testaments; and numerous Bible study books and daily devotions.