Practice
The Whole-Life Pastor An Augustinian Vision for Pastoral Ministry Mark D. Allen Pastoral ministry often exposes pastors to deep brokenness within church members, congregations, and even themselves, leaving pastors feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. How is a pastor sup- posed to lead a congregation toward healing and unity when these ideals feel so out of reach? Mark D. Allen, a seasoned pastor and seminary professor, shows that Augustine is a credible and established authority who can help us make sense of life and ministry in an ever-changing world. This fifth-century bishop helps us place our modern-day stories within a larger, more expansive, holistic story. Allen guides readers through the writings of Augustine that have shaped his own pastoral minis- try, offering personal illustrations and experiences that illuminate Augustine’s profound theology. He shows pastors how Augustine provides healing insight into ecclesiology, administration, preach- ing, discipleship, apologetics, and public theology to inspire con- gregations to work for human flourishing and the common good. This book offers a hopeful journey toward healing in Christ, equip- ping pastors and ministry students to shepherd people toward wholeness. “Allen reminds us that the church should not be a Sunday club for saints; rather, it should be a hospital, which points to the Augustin- ian pastoral ministry model. Embodying a whole-life relationship with a congregation necessitates loving the congregation as one loves God—with one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength. Allen calls readers to immerse themselves in this inclusive biblical model, which is vitally resuscitative in these days of ecclesial disintegration.” —Robert Smith Jr., Beeson Divinity School, Samford University “A vivid portrait of how pastoral ministry can flourish today when we draw on the wisdom of early Christian leaders like Saint Augustine. Engaging, humorous, accessible, and timeless, Allen’s work is a field book for pastoral ministry that will benefit ministers and laity alike. Warmly recommended.” —James K. Lee, Southern Methodist University “Scriptural, readable, rooted, needed, The Whole-Life Pastor calls real-life pastors out of survival-mode ministry and into a fuller way of shepherding. Your congregation (and your own soul) will thank you for reading this book!” —Tyler Scarlett, pastor, Forest Baptist Church, Forest, Virginia
OCTOBER 2026 • 192 pp. • $24.99p • 9781540963635
Mark D. Allen (PhD, University of Notre Dame; DMin, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is professor of biblical and theological studies at Liberty University. He has been pastoring for nearly thirty years and currently serves as the pastor of Memorial Methodist Church in Appomattox, Virginia. He is the coauthor (with Joshua D. Chatraw) of two award-winning books, Apologetics at the Cross and The Augustine Way.
ALSO BY THE AUTHOR THE AUGUSTINE WAY 208 pp. • $22.99p • 9781540969521
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