Many consider pastoral visitation antiquated and impractical. People seem busier than ever, and technology appears to trivialize personal contact. As a result, personal visits are often reserved only for the gravest of situations.
Tyler C. Arnold argues that pastoral visitation is essential to the pastoral role. In Scripture, God visits his people to show his personal interest and concern. This is seen most clearly in the incarnation. Christ's ministry is one of presence. But Jesus is not only an example of visitation ministry; he is the embodiment of it. And in visitation, pastors and laypeople continue Jesus's ministry by bringing Christ to the individual in their very place of need.
Established in strong theological foundations and sensitive to contemporary concerns, Pastoral Visitation exhorts pastors to return to this classic method of individual soul-care.
Fall '25 Required FLS textbook for Pastoral Theology course taught by Dr. James Molstre, Dean of FLS.
As a pastor, do you feel like you're wearing too many hats?
If you're a pastor, you know the tension of balancing (or trying to) the many roles and expectations that come with leading a church. But are you able to distinguish which roles are truly essential? And can you measure how you're fulfilling them?
Portraits of a Pastor features contributions from evangelical leaders like Jason Allen, Jared Wilson, Daniel Akin, and Owen Strachan on the essential roles and aspects of pastoral ministry. Together the book answers three important questions:
What does it mean for the pastor to hold all nine roles?
Why should the pastor fulfill these roles?
How can the pastor most faithfully fulfill them?
A pastor must be a preacher, shepherd, missionary, evangelist, church historian, theologian, man of God, leader of his household, and leader of others—a tall order! After reading Portraits of a Pastor, you'll:
Have a clearer vision of the roles you should fulfill in the life of your congregation
Be inspired to fulfill your calling by growing in new areas of leadership
Know the unbiblical visions of pastoral leadership that may distract you from your core calling
It's true: much is demanded of pastors. But it's also true that too much is demanded of most pastors. Know what God has called you to, how to fulfill that calling, and what may be distracting you from it.
Fall '25 Required FLS textbook for Pastoral Theology course taught by Dr. James Molstre, Dean of FLS.
Fall '24 Required FLS textbook for Principles of Pastoral Theology course taught by Dr. James Molstre, Dean of FLS.
Fall ’23 Required FLS textbook for Pastoral Theology course taught by Dr. James Molstre, Dean of FLS.
Fall ’22 Required FLS textbook for Principles of Pastoral Theology course taught by Dr. James Molstre, Dean of FLS.
Pastors care for a soul in the way a doctor cares for a body. In a time when many churches have lost sight of the real purpose of the church, The Care of Souls invites a new generation of pastors to form the godly habits and practical wisdom needed to minister to the hearts and souls of those committed to their care.
Harold Senkbeil helps remind pastors of the essential calling of the ministry: preaching and living out the Word of God while orienting others in the same direction. And he offers practical and fruitful advice—born out of his five decades as a pastor—that will benefit both new pastors and those with years in the pulpit.
Drawing on a lifetime of pastoral experience, The Care of Souls is a beautifully written treasury of proven wisdom which pastors will find themselves turning to again and again.
Fall '25 Required FLS textbook for Pastoral Theology course taught by Dr. James Molstre, Dean of FLS.
Fall '24 Required FLS textbook for Principles of Pastoral Theology course taught by Dr. James Molstre, Dean of FLS.
SIT 2024 Recommended SIT textbook for Session A. Pastoral Theology: The Care of Souls (Dr. Harold Senkbeil)
Reminder: Select one recommended resource per session to link to your reflective essay.
Fall '23 Required FLS textbook for Pastoral Theology course taught by Dr. James Molstre, Dean of FLS.
SIT 2023 Recommended SIT textbook for Seminars in Congregational Leadership sessions. Seminars in Congregational Leadership sessions: MondayThe Board Chair (Dr. Wade Mobley) TuesdayConflict and the Cross (Pr. Micah Hjermstad) WednesdayWhat Servant Leadership Means (Dr. James Molstre) ThursdayLeading with a Limp: Emotional Health for Spiritual Leaders (Dr. Wade Mobley)
Summer Institute of Theology 2020 Textbook for Christian Leadership and Strategy for the Care of Souls course taught by Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford.
