Book Review: Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes

Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes is a book that I have been wanting to pick for a long time. The book has been around for over a decade and highly recommended among many church leaders. Crossway has now an updated version of the book available along with study questions for those who are doing a group study or your own personal growth.

In this book, Hughes addresses the issue that men in our day are not disciplined. There are a number of reason for what he does go into great detail. He also expresses that men are on a spiritual decline where women are growing more spiritually then they are. While we can rejoice that women in the church are growing spiritually, we also must be concerned that the men in the church are not. The church in America, as Hughes puts it, needs real men and I agree. The church needs men who will lead, grow spiritually, love their families, and stand for truth. Contrary to what Feminism says, women in the church desire to see men stand up for Christ and take charge.

The rest of the book deals with the discipline of a man in every area of their lives. The first is in relationships. We must have discipline to be husbands and fathers. We also must be disciplined in purity where we seek to be holy in our words and actions in our relationships. Next, we must be disciplined in our spiritual growth. We need to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ as 2 Corinthians 10 tells us. We also desire prayer and worship in our spiritual growth.

Hughes goes on to address our character that we must be men of integrity and men who do their jobs well. We also must be disciplined in ministry where we are ready to serve in our churches. Not every Christian is called to vocational ministry, by we are all called to be involved in ministry. We are also called to be a witness as well. Christ commands the church to make disciples. The church need men who are disciplined who will be able to make disciples.

There is so much in this book that it might take a few posts to address them. I am grateful that I had the chance to read this book and hope to read it again with a small group of men as we seek to be the men that the church needs.

Thanks Crossway for letting me review this book.

Book Review: The Pastor's Book by R. Kent Hughes

Many leaders in the church go through some kind of training. Some go to a Christian college and get an education for ministry while others attend seminary. While classes in ministry and Bible preaching are great things, they don't cover everything. There have been many resources available for pastors to have when they need help. Some pastors need aid when conducting a funeral, what to say in a wedding, and even how to conduct church membership classes.

While some of these resources are great and useful, some of them feel short in giving a pastor the knowledge he needs to lead a church and perform different ministry tasks. R. Kent Hughes has many years of ministry under his wings and has offered aid to those in the ministry with an exhaustive resource called, The Pastor's Book. This is probably one of the best resources I have seen when it comes to give church leaders ideas in the area of pastoral ministry.

Hughes writes about how to conduct Sunday services, funerals, weddings, and any other special services. He offers examples as to what to say and even what songs to play. Hughes continues on the purpose of public prayers, hymns , and songs. There is even a long list of song (old and new) that churches should sing because they are theologically deep and give all praise to God.

Hughes even addresses the history and purpose of creeds and what to do in pastoral counseling and hospital visitation. Sean O'Donnell edited the book but also wrote with Hughes on the issue of baptism and what to do during baptism in a worship service. Reason why two writes has to write about is Hughes is a Credo Baptist while O'Donnell is a Paedo Baptist.

I am delighted to recommend this book not just for pastors currently serving in the church, but for all Christians who desire to pastor a church one day. I recommend that elders and deacons give their pastors this book to aid them as they serve.

Thanks Crossway for letting me review this book.

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In this video, Kent Hughes shares 5 questions he asks himself every Sunday before preaching.