Spiritual Mentorship for Pastors and Church Leaders Today

By Gabriel Amoateng-Boahen

My timely book seeks to, among others, to appreciate and congratulate all men and women of God in ministry; and also encourage them for their continued dedication in leading the flock under their pastoral care as Chief Shepherds. Bravo! On a more concerned and passionate note, the book seeks to equip the pastor/leader with some basic ministerial skills for sound, fruitful, untiring and ever-lasting soul-impacting ministry, devoid of any abuses either covertly or overtly. My final aim is to challenge the pastor/leader to be professional and current for contemporary ministry because society is becoming more scientific, technological, academic, intellectual, argumentative, and above all, critical, and skeptical. Our local communities are increasingly becoming more violent, confused, frustrated, socially darker and gloomy, stressful, and uncontrollable. The pastoral services of the pastoral/leaders thus become inevitable, crucial, and critical because communities look up to the spiritual leader. Indeed, the pastor/leader is the radiant light of hope, a beacon of light of inspiration, and encouragement to many. The challenge is for all pastors/leaders to lead their respective local communities to greater heights as Gods ambassadors and the Called/Chosen for our present generation, and further work harder to hand over a better holistic legacy to the next generation. The Gospel must be preached in its fullest entirety uncompromisingly in season and out of season, devoid of any excuses. Let the Body of Christ be more united than ever to build a New Church that is modeled after the life of Christ. The Church that is anointed and empowered with answers to address the multiple-problems and the myriad of challenges facing the 21st century and beyond.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514437728

Gabriel Amoateng-Boahen

Dr. Gabriel Amoateng-Boahen is a Professional Staff Chaplain (Retired) University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, Illinois USA and also the Chaplain for the Brong Ahafo Association of Chicago and the keynote speaker at the Council of Brong Ahafo Associations of North America (COBAANA) in 2011, and the Ombudsman for COBAANA. Gabriel has strong ecumenical inclination and is deeply involved in the activities of the Council of Ghanaian Churches in Chicago, where he is the current Vice President. Gabriel takes a lot of inspiration from Evangelist Dr. Billy Graham. He is Gabriel's "spiritual mentor" and has twice attended the Billy Graham Schools of Evangelism in Cincinnati, Ohio (2002), and Kansas City, Missouri (2004). Gabriel was at the Haggai Institute in Singapore in 2000 for the Advanced Leadership Training for Christian Leaders from Developing Countries. Gabriel is the Missions Director for the Ghanaian Catholic Charismatic Renewal, North America (G-CCR-NA). Dr. Gabriel is the Founder and President of Royal Diadem Pastoral Center. He is also a member of these professional associations: National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), Spiritual Direction International (SDI) and others. Gabriel was the representative for the University of Chicago Medical Center at the Kenwood-Hyde Park Interfaith Council (2010 - May 31, 2015). On March 27, 1977, Gabriel and Mrs. Agatha Amoateng-Boahen were joined together in holy matrimony at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church at Ahafo Hwidiem. They now live peacefully and happily with their eight children: Mrs. Veronica Amoateng Antwi; Rev. Sampson Amoateng; Rev. Mark Amoateng, MD; Rev. Daniel Amoateng; Rev. Brian Amoateng; Christabel Jessica Amoateng; Davina Amoateng; and Gabriel Amoateng Badu Jr.

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Dr. Gabriel Amoateng-Boahen

Copyright © 2016 by Gabriel Amoateng-Boahen.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-5144-3773-5

      eBook         978-1-5144-3772-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by the Zondervan Corporation.

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Rev. date: 08/09/2016

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

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CONTENTS

Our Impressions

Dedication

Acknowledgment

Foreword

Preface

Abstract

Introduction

CHAPTER 1

FATHERLY COUNSELING AND MINISTERIAL MENTORSHIP (FACAMM)—PROV. 11:14

Daily Personal/Family Devotion

Being Professional in Ministry

Relationships

Clearly and Simply State Your Vision in Writing

Stay Focused in Ministry

Charitable Component of Ministry

Short-Term and Long-Term Goals

Some Red Lights/Warnings and Other Exhortation for All Ministers

SM - Spiritual Mentorship

SM Exercise 1

Recommended Books

CHAPTER 2

THE HEAVENLY CALL

Introduction

Understanding the Call

A Few Reminders

The Urgent Response to Your Call

Practical Theology and Mission

Conclusion

SM Exercise 2

Recommended Books

CHAPTER 3

THE PASTOR/LEADER GOD USES

Introduction

Some Indispensable Qualities of the Pastor/Leader God Uses

Some Biblical Engagements

New Testament

Concluding Remarks

Recommended Books

CHAPTER 4

EQUIPPING THE PASTOR/LEADER FOR CONTEMPORARY MINISTRY

Introduction

The Fivefold Ministry (Eph. 4:11)

Avoid the Avoidable to Avoid Ministerial Abuses

Human and Divine Factors in

Contemporary Ministry

Human Factors

Divine Factors

The Interconnectedness: Human and Divine Factors in Conversation

SM Exercise 4

Recommended Books

CHAPTER 5

PASTORAL CARE AND MINISTRY

Introduction

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care Is Locational and Unique

Other Unique Pastoral Care Services

Expanding Your Concept of Ministry

The God Factor in Pastoral Care and Ministry

SM: Exercise 5

Recommended Books

CHAPTER 6

IRON SHARPENS IRON: THE ANCIENT PATHS, PASTORAL PROTOCOLS, THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS, AND LEGACY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

Introduction

The Ancient Paths

Pastoral Protocols

Theological Implications

The Next Generation

Conclusion: The Charge

SM Exercise 6

Recommended Books

CHAPTER 7

BEING PROFESSIONAL IN MINISTRY

Introduction

Professionalism in Private

Professional Ministry

Public Ministry

SM: Exercise 7

Recommended Books

CONCLUSION

HEAR THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER: MINISTRY MADE EASIER THROUGH HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE

Introduction

Prayer: Acceptance, Rededication/Recommitment, and Refire

Rededication/Recommitment: Revive Me, O Lord (Psalm 119:156)

For All On Fire Brethren

Recommended Reading

Our Impressions

This book is the rod and staff for pastors and workers of Jehovah God, who feed the sheep of the Great Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ. Without the divine guidance from this book, many contemporary pastors, church/ministry leaders, and some Christians alike would have been left destitute and frustrated about the challenges of today’s ministry.

Professor Kofi Amoateng

Professor of Finance

School of Business

North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC 27707 USA

Tel: [phone]

E-Mail: [e-mail]

My name is Rev. Dr. Kofi Noonoo, a licensed clinical professional counselor in the state of Illinois, and holding a Ph.D. in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Northwestern University. I am currently the President of the Council of Ghanaian Churches, and founder and Senior Pastor of Ebenezer United Church. As an Advanced- Degree holder in this field, if I were to recommend a textbook for a course in Care 101 for this population, Dr. Gabriel Amoateng-Boahen’s book would be on the top of the list. This insightful, challenging, illuminating and provocative classic presents, both systematically and methodically, the essentials of pastoral care germane to effective ministry. Dr. Amoateng-Boahen’s work is an indispensable tool, which pastors and church/ministry leaders can use as a manual for holistic and good- oriented ministry.

Rev. Dr. Kofi Noonoo

President, Council of Ghanaian

Churches in Chicago& Senior Pastor,

Ebenezer United Church

Chicago, Illinois USA

This book is a great spiritual, ministerial, educational, and an all-round tool to equip and prepare leaders to Rightly divide the Word of God. Its practicality has the capacity to unlock many mysteries as Jesus prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof in Rev. 5:4-7. I am blessed to have Dr. Gabriel as my mentor.

Dr. Mary Adufah

Founder and President

Bread For Life International Ministries

Chicago, Illinois 60461 USA

E-Mail: [e-mail]

Tel: [phone]

This book by Dr. Amoateng-Boahen identifies spiritual leadership and mentorship as a key component at the heart of Christian discipleship. Anyone who aspires to a Christian leadership position has to learn how to follow the Lord Jesus Christ by serving other leaders. The goal of Christian discipleship is building character and bearing fruit through service. Accountability to the Lord Jesus Christ and those He calls us to serve places the Christian leader in a position of spiritual covering.

Dr. Mark Kwaku Nimo

Former Anglophone African Representative

International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS)

Vatican City (1994-2004)

Dedication

Dedicated to my wife, Mrs. Agatha Amoateng-Boahen, and our children (Mrs. Veronica Amoateng Antwi, Rev. Sampson Amoateng, Dr. Mark Amoateng, Rev. Daniel Amoateng, Rev. Brian Amoateng, Christabel Jessica Amoateng, Davina Amoateng, and Gabriel Amoateng Badu Jr.) and our children’s children as they spread the Gospel message uncompromisingly to the nations of this generation and the next.

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Mrs. Agatha Amoateng-Boahen

Acknowledgment

Acknowledgements connote gratitude, deep appreciation, and profound love to the other for the diverse support and encouragement offered. My wife, Mrs. Agatha Amoateng-Boahen, and our children take the first place on the list of names mentioned for their continued prayer support to write this timely book to no ordinary people but God’s own generals, pastors, and church leaders for our generation.

Bishop and Mrs. Odell Townsend Sr. of the Stratford Christian Center in Chicago and secretary, Mrs. Sandra Townsend, need special mention because my meeting with them on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, gave birth to this most-needed, urgent, and most-need book as I reflected on the All Pastors and Leaders Conference (APALEC 2016 on Saturday, February 7) in Chicago as the main speaker.

I am equally grateful to all those who read my book and expressed their candid and honest impressions; and to Rev. Dr. (Mrs.) Dorothy Akoto for penning the foreword to this book. Her rich ministerial background qualifies her for this special assignment. To my pastors and Christian friends: Rev. Dr. Kofi Noonoo, president, Council of Ghanaian Churches in Chicago, and the entire Council; Rev. MK Kyeremeh (Sunyani), chairman, and