On preaching:
Albert N Martin, Preaching in the Holy Spirit. Slightly old-fashioned in the way it says things, but the content is first-rate: Biblical, wise, stemming from plenty of experience of Martin’s and others before him, and saying things that many preachers today don’t practise or don’t even believe. He is emphasising the fact that though we should prepare our sermons, and seek the Spirit’s help in doing that well, we should also expect fresh help from him at the time of preaching, not only in our own hearts and words and in the congregation, but even in our views of the truth and what to say, what not to say, how to say things etc. So having prepared as well as we can, we should throw ourselves into the hands of the Spirit, and not be tied to the prep. A very convincing case for an approach to this topic similar to that of Spurgeon and Lloyd-Jones.
On one-to-one ministry, pastoral counselling etc:
Paul D Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer’s hands. I have been a pastor or assistant pastor for nearly 30 years, doing a lot of it very poorly and not doing nearly enough for people; yet I have learnt a few things, largely by trial and error. This book is an epochal text in my view – it does for one-to-one spiritual care in the church what Haddon W Robinson’s Expository Preaching does for sermon prep (in fact it’s better than that book) and what Tim Keller’s Center Church has recently done for our general understanding of church life, ministry and mission. It’s not perfect, nor does it say everything; but it says the basics exceptionally well, both in terms of theology and practice.
Every pastor and would-be pastor, and elder, and church pastoral worker, and person who is getting at all seriously involved in caring for others spiritually (so every house group or cell leader too) should not only read it, but read it carefully, and humbly (realising they have a lot to learn about how God changes people and about themselves and helping others) and analytically (working out just what changes in their own approach would be wise) and practically (selecting one or two changes to try implementing over the next few weeks, rather than getting overwhelmed by trying to do it all at once). Thank you, Mr Tripp – and thank you, Father, for continuing to enlighten and gift your children.
Now we are God's children 