Church History for Modern Ministry: Why Our Past Matters for Everything We Do

by Dayton Hartman

Overview

With all the pressing demands of modern ministry, why make time to learn church history? Is it relevant to worship and ministry today? Pastor Dayton Hartman argues that church history is not old news, but a vital component of a healthy ministry.
In Church History for Modern Ministry, Hartman explores the importance of church history and shows how an understanding of our past can help us address contemporary issues. The faithfulness, discipleship, and perseverance of the early church can help today's church stand firm in times of change.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781577996606
Publisher:	Lexham Press
Publication date:	02/17/2016
Pages:	112
Sales rank:	703,086
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Dayton Hartman is lead pastor at Redeemer Church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He serves as an adjunct professor for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Judson College. He attended Liberty University, where he received an MA in global apologetics. He holds a PhD in church and dogma history from North-West University (South Africa).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xiii

Chapter 1 Back to the Future 1

Chapter 2 Creed and Creeds 13

Chapter 3 Imitating Christ 23

Chapter 4 Preaching and the Cultural Drift 34

Chapter 5 Christians and Culture 46

Chapter 6 Yesterday, Today was the Future 55

Recommended Reading: Where to Begin 61

Appendix 1 Frequently Asked Questions 67

Appendix 2 A Guide to Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms 70

Notes 75

Abbreviations 78

Bibliography 79

Subject and Author Index 85

Scripture Index 90

Editorial Reviews

"Church History for Modern Ministry reminds us that to fully embrace our future we must first understand our past. One of the most useful features of this book are the theological and historical call-outs scattered through the text. These reference tools make this book one to which you will continually return. Hartman's primer allows the reader to quickly and astutely grasp an overview of Church history upon which to build a foundation of ministry."
—Thom S. Rainer, president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, author of I Am a Church Member

"Well-written, engaging, and entertaining, Hartman provides plenty of theological food for thought and compelling reasons for why ministry leaders must sink their hearts and minds deep into the history of Christianity. For the minister who has never seriously considered the value church history for ministry in the 21st century, this is a must-read."
—Chad Thornhill, PhD, Chair of Theological Studies, Assistant Professor of Apologetics and Biblical Studies, School of Divinity, Liberty University

"For many evangelicals, church history jumps from the book of Acts, has a brief stopover in the Protestant Reformation, and picks up in the present day. In Church History for Modern Ministry, Hartman corrects our dangerous a-historical view by mining the rich history of our faith. I'll be recommending this to pastors and parishioners alike. It's a great way for them to meet the family they never knew they had!"
—Drew Dyck, managing editor, Leadership Journal; author, Yawning at Tigers: You Can't Tame God, So Stop Trying

"Hartman gives us an enjoyable, readable, and trustworthy book that helps us see the theological and ministerial value of studying our history. If you're a pastor, you need to know church history—not just for doctrinal clarity and sermon illustrations, but also for your own spiritual nourishment. I will be pointing pastors and aspiring pastors to this book for years to come."
—Tony Merida, PhD; Johnny Hunt Chair of Biblical Preaching, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

"It seems to me that 95 percent of the stupid things we do as pastors could be avoided if we knew a little church history. I am very happy that Dayton Hartman has written this book. As both a practicing pastor and a practicing church historian, he is well poised to bring the insights of our forefathers to bear on the day-to-day issues that confront church leaders. That Church History for Modern Ministry is both short and snarky is an added bonus!"
—Mike McKinley, author; contributor and speaker, 9Marks; senior pastor, Sterling Park Baptist Church (Sterling, VA)

"In this helpful book Hartman shows pastors why we should appreciate church history. Every generation of Christians and pastors stands on the shoulders of those who have gone before. The lessons that God taught our forebears can be very useful for ministry today. Hartman helps us see how this is so, and also provides practical suggestions for introducing historical insights into congregational life. I recommend this book for pastors as well as other church leaders."
—Tom Ascol, PhD; executive director, Founders Ministries

"Christians in America today—especially evangelicals—suffer from a damaging lack of connection to the 'cloud of witnesses' who have preceded us in Christian history. I am happy to commend Dr. Dayton Hartman's readable introduction to church history for pastors, who will surely be the key players in teaching Christians about the riches of the church's past."
—Thomas S. Kidd, PhD; professor of history, Baylor University

"Over the past decade, I have taught church history to over a thousand seminarians and college students. Many of them have raised questions about whether or not church history is really useful for pastors and other ministers. While I make regular pastoral application in the classroom, I have yet to find a good book to point students to that weds church history and practical ministry. I'm grateful that pastor-historian Dayton Hartman has written this book—it fills an important gap and answers many of the questions my students are asking. I hope Church History for Modern Ministry is widely read and leads more pastors and other ministry leaders to mine the depths of Christian history for contemporary spiritual flourishing."
—Nathan Finn, PhD; dean of the School of Theology and Missions, Union University

From the Publisher