Blog Assignment #5

For this blog post we were asked to find 5 credible sources for our topic.  We were asked to read through these seeing why they were credible and in what ways we would use these sources.  We then have to write a citation for each source and add a craap analysis for each source. 

Source 1- Book: Am I Called by Dave Harvey

Harvey, Dave. Am I Called? Wheaton: Crossway, 2012. Print.

This source is a credible source for my research because it is published by a credible publisher and talks about current information.  The author’s credentials include president of Sovereign Grace Ministries and has a doctorate in ministry from Westminster’s theological seminary.  This article was published in Wheaton, Illinois in 2012.  The Author’s main goal in this article is to inform about being called to the pastoral field.  The publishing source for this article generally targets an audience that fits the following description: people in the pastoral ministry and those considering the pastoral ministry.  This audience would be interested in this subject because it affects if they should be in ministry or if they should go to ministry and would generally agree with the author’s perspective on this topic.  The author incorporates the following types of evidence: that God determines a calling and you need the true heart to go into the field of ministry because it is dealing with the eternity of people.  The evidence builds credibility because it is important and reliable but is limited because it doesn’t talk about other reasons Pastors fall out of ministry.  Based on my own opinion, experiences, and research, I agree with this author because I believe a calling is necessary to enter the pastoral field, because it is not just a money making job it is something God calls some chosen people to do.  I think this article is important to include in my essay because I will say the reason people fall out of ministry is sometimes related to the reason they don’t have a heart for it because they are not called to it.

Source 2- Book: What Every Pastor Should Know by Gary L. Mcintosh and Charles Arn.

McIntosh, Gary and Charles Arn. What Every Pastor Should Know. Grand Rapid: Baker Books, 2013. Print.

This article is a credible source for my research because it talks about a lot of rules of Pastors and what they are required to do.  The author’s credentials include many other books written and a doctorate in ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary.  The book was published in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2013.  The authors main goals were to teach about how to better lead a church.  The publishing source for this book generally targets an audience that fits the following description: Christians and Church leaders.  This audience would be interested in this subject because it talks about how to make the church better and how to be a better leader and would generally agree with this author’s perspective on the topic.  The author incorporates the following types of evidence: how to lead the Church and some things Pastors do wrong.  This evidence builds credibility because the author studied in school for a doctorate and because it applies to the why the church is declining in todays culture but also is limited because it lacks more in depth information.  Based on my own opinion, experiences and research, I agree with this author because it is biblical and just teaches us about important things to know in ministry.  I think this article is important to include in my essay because I can show some things that need to be followed when being a Pastor and talk about how when someone does not follow these rules they become disqualified to be a pastor.

Source 3- Book: The Pastor as Scholar & The Scholar as Pastor by John Piper & D.A. Carson

Piper, John and D.A. Carson. The Pastor as Scholar & The Scholar as Pastor. Wheaton: Crossway, 2011. Print.

This article is a credible source for my research because it is published by a credible publisher and talks about life and ministry in the Pastoral field.  The authors’ credentials include John Piper being one of the lead theologians in today’s society.  The article was published in Wheaton, Illinois in 2011.  The authors’ main goal in this book is to teach about Pastors and the ministry they do and better ways to improve in their role.  The publishing source for this book generally targets an audience that fits the following description: a Pastor or those looking for the qualities of a good pastor.  This audience would be interested in this subject because they want to see what a good pastor looks like and would generally agree with this author’s perspective on this topic.  The author incorporates the following types of evidence: to help see his calling in us and to help us span interdisciplinary gaps to the glory of God and the good of his church.  This evidence builds credibility because it shows how to be a better pastor and how to better lead but is limited because it should warn of some more possible dangers.  Based on my own opinion, experiences, and research, I agree with this author because there is a need for revival in America but how can we have this without Pastors who are in tract for him.  I think this book is important to include in my essay because it shows the good roles of a pastor and what they need to follow and that if they are not doing these things then they may be disqualifying themselves. 

Source 4- Book: Becoming the Pastor You Hope to Be by Barbara J. Blodgett.

Blodgett, Barbara. Becoming the Pastor You Hope to Be. Herndon: The Alban Institute, 2011. Print.

This book is a credible source for my research because it talks about how to become the pastor you hope to be and fits in with my topic well.  The author’s credentials include PhD from Yale University and is now on staff at a seminary.  The book was published in Herndon, Virginia in 2011.  The author’s main goal in this book is to teach about improving Pastors to become better leaders for God.  The publishing source for this book generally targets an audience that fits the following description: Pastors or those looking to be a Pastor.  This audience would be interested in this subject because they want to be a better pastor and would generally agree with this author’s perspective on the topic.  The author incorporates the following types of evidence: of how to improve in the Pastor field and who can help you accomplish this.  This evidence builds credibility because it shows ways to improve in the pastor field but is also limited because it doesn’t show things that may cause Pastors to stumble.  Based on my own opinion, experiences, and research, agree with this author because she shows lots of ways Pastors can improve which means she shows lots of areas Pastors are lacking in.  I think this article is important to include in my essay because it shows areas in which Pastors need to improve and these areas are reasons Pastors are dropping out of ministry.

Source 5- Book: Answers to Pastors’ FAQs by Howard F. Sugden & Warren W. Wiersbe

Sugden, Howard and Warren W. Wiersbe. Colorado Springs: Cook communications ministries, 2005.               Print. 

This book is a credible source for my research because it is based on the Bible, which is never changing and is by a credible author.  The authors’ credentials include both being pastors for many years and having bible degrees.  The article was published in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2005.  The authors’ main goals in this book are to inform and teach about Pastors.  The publishing source for this article generally targets an audience that fits the following description: Christians including Pastors and Church members’ examining their Pastors.  This audience would be interested in this subject because it has to do with Pastors and the Church and would generally agree with these authors’ perspectives on this topic.  The author incorporates the following types of evidence: what needs to be done by a good pastor.  This evidence builds credibility because it shows what pastors should be doing and is limited because it doesn’t show a secular view on this.  Based on my own opinion, experiences, and research, I agree with these authors because they tell lots of good information on how pastors should live and behave.  I think this article is important to include in my essay because I can use this information to show how a Pastor should be acting and show that if they aren’t acting this way then they are not qualified to be a pastor.