The Joyful Pastor (Despite Everything)

“The apostle Paul summarised his ministry experience as combined agony and ecstasy: ‘death is at work in us, but life in you.’ Matt Fuller well captures this paradoxical balance. A modern-day Barnabas, he writes encouragingly but honestly, coupling the hard-earned wisdom of personal experience with the field-tested insights of past masters. The Joyful Pastor is a gift to pastors, present and future—as well as to the pastored.”

“A deeply encouraging and refreshingly honest book for weary shepherds. Drawing from decades of pastoral experience, Matt Fuller combines rich biblical insight, wise pastoral application, and the steady counsel of the Puritans and other faithful voices from church history to remind ministers of the privilege and joy of shepherding God’s people. It strengthens both the heart and the hands of pastors for long-term ministry.”

“Written from the trenches, not the bleachers, The Joyful Pastor is a theologically rich, pastorally honest call to recover what we too easily lose: the breathtaking privilege of shepherding souls purchased by Christ’s own blood. Fuller doesn’t deny the sorrows. He simply refuses to let them have the last word. Every weary pastor needs this book. You will be glad you’ve read it.”

“Here is a timely tonic for the pastor’s soul. The job is tough, and discouragements press in. What a help to be reminded of the many privileges of the role and to be called afresh to rejoice in the Lord. This book is at once theological and pastoral, and it manages to be honest, realistic and optimistic all the while. I want every pastor I know to read it.”

“This book may be written for church pastors but it is equally relevant for women and men involved in a variety of word ministries, Matt reminds us that ministry is a noble task, full of joys and sorrows, but that even the darkest of times can be used by the Lord to mould us into his likeness and thwart Satan’s scheming. Here is pastoral wisdom resulting from years of faithful ministry. It warmed my heart to read it.”

“As pastors, we sometimes use the line ‘I have the best job in the world!’ I worry that sometimes we give the impression that it’s one of the very worst. Perhaps we sometimes believe it is. Matt’s book is a wonderful balm for anyone feeling the wear and tear of ministry. I am thankful to have read it. It’s done my soul and my ministry a power of good.”

“The Joyful Pastor is like dinner with a dear friend—full of honesty, winsome discussion, deep encouragement and rich sustenance. But Matt Fuller has served gospel ministers by inviting us to dine not just with him but with those from centuries past who have served the same Lord. A must-read for anyone in ministry—and not just once but, I would suggest, annually.”

“This is an unusual and beautiful book. It is semi-autobiographical, which is unusual for a Christian book. It is beautiful because it describes the life of a real pastor not at the end of their ministry but in the midst of it, finding joy to keep going. I will be encouraging the next generation of pastors, as well as those of my own generation, to read it.”

“I wish I had had this book in the early days of my ministry. Matt is honest about the frustrations and challenges of ministry but shows how they are far outweighed by the privileges and delights of knowing and serving Christ. Biblically faithful and pastorally warm—highly recommended.”

“The realities of pastoral ministry are learned not in the classroom but in the trenches of the local church. Pastors reading this book will identify with so much that Matt describes and be encouraged to keep going, understanding that there really is no greater task.”

“Every pastor—discouraged or not—should read this. It is jam-packed with scriptural truth, personal pastoral experience and rich quotations from church history. An encouraging, practical, thoughtful and pastorally careful read!”