The following is a working bibliography I am in process of putting together (it needs lots of work) and hoping to either read through or own at some point in the future. A brief comment follows on those books I have read or am familiar with follow:
Pastoral Ministry Bibliography
Allender, Dan B. Leading with a Limp: Turning Your Struggles into Strength. WaterBrook Press, 2006.*
Augsburger, David W. Pastoral Counseling Across Cultures. Westminster John Knox Press, 1995.* (A book for understanding cross-cultural dynamics in pastoral ministry).
Benner, David G. Strategic Pastoral Counseling: A Short-Term Structured Model. Baker Academic, 2003. (How to provide effective pastoral counseling in 5 sessions).
____________. Care of Souls: Revisioning Christian Nurture and Counsel. Baker, 1998.
Bierly, Steve R. How to Thrive as a Small-Church Pastor. Zondervan, 1998.*
Bridges, Charles. The Christian Ministry. Banner of Truth, 1958.
Daman, Glenn C. Shepherding the Small Church: A Leadership Guide For The Majority Of Today’s Churches. Kregel, 3rd ed., 2002.
________________. Leading the Small Church: How to Develop a Transformational Ministry. Kregel, 2006.*
Eyer, Richard C. Pastoral Care Under the Cross: God in the Midst of Suffering. Concordia Publishing House, 1995.**
Fowler, James W. Faith Development and Pastoral Care. Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 1987.
______________. Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development. HarperOne, 1995.*
Hamman, Jaco J. Becoming a Pastor: Forming Self and Soul for Ministry. Pilgrim Press, 2007.*
William B Johnson, and Harold G Koenig. The Pastor’s Guide to Psychological Disorders and Treatments. Routledge, 2000.
Kellemen, Robert W. Soul Physicians: A Theology of Sould Care and Spiritual Direction. Rpm Books; Rev ed., 2005.
Laniak, Timothy S. Shepherds After My Own Heart: Pastoral Traditions And Leadership in the Bible. InterVarsity Press, 2006.*** (A solid Biblical Theology of the Pastoral ministry).
Lawrence, Bill, and Charles Swindoll. Effective Pastoring: Giving Vision, Direction, And Care To Your Church. Thomas Nelson, 1999.
MacDonald, Gordon. Who Stole My Church? What to do when your church tries to enter the 21st Century. Thomas Nelson, 2008. (This is the book is for the pastor who needs to bridge the gap between older and younger generations to keep a church moving forward).
McIntosh, Gary L., Samuel D. Rima. Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership: How to Become an Effective Leader by Confronting Potential Failures. Baker Books; Rev Ed., 2007.
Patton, John. Pastoral Care: An Essential Guide. Abingdon Press, 2005.*
Peterson, Eugene H. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society. InterVarsity Press, 2000.
________________. The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction. Eerdmans, 1993.*
________________. Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity. Eerdmans, 1987.**
Prime Derek, and Alistair Begg. On Being a Pastor: Understanding our Calling and Work. Moody, 2006.
Purves Andrew. The Crucifixion of Ministry: Surrendering Our Ambitions to the Service of Christ. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2007. There is a review here.
_____________. Reconstructing Pastoral Theology: A Christological Foundation. Westminster John Knox Press. 2004.
Quicke, Michael J. 360-Degree Leadership: Preaching to Transform Congregations. Baker Books, 2006. (Hoe to lead through preaching/teaching).
Richardson, Ronald W. Becoming a Healthier Pastor: Family Systems Theory and the Pastor’s Own Family. Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2004. (This book helps the pastor understand how his or her own family dynamics (past and present) affect pastoral ministry dynamics).
Oden, Thomas C. Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry. HarperOne, 1983.*** (This is a great resource on being grounded on the historial practice of pastoral ministry – lots of references to the Church Fathers).
Sisk, Ronald D. The Competent Pastor: Skills and Self-Knowledge for Serving Well. Alban Institute, 2005.*** (This is an exccelent book on what a competent pastor is and how one functions).
Stetzer Ed, and Mike Dodson. Comeback Churches: How 300 Churches Turned Around and Yours Can Too. Broadman and Holman, 2007. (This is a good book on the importance of strong pastoral leadership).
Swetland, Kenneth L. Facing Messy Stuff in the Church: Case Studies for Pastors and Congregations. Kregal Academic, 2005. (A collection of fifteen case studies that give church leaders practical and realistic preparation to handle tough issues like sexual harassment, pornography, divorce, and the effects of abortion.)
Switzer, David K. Pastoral Care Emergencies. Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2000.*** (This is an excellent book on the specifics of pastoral care in emergency and crisis situations).
Williams, Brian A. The Potter’s Rib: Mentoring For Pastoral Formation. Regent College Publishing, 2005.
Willimon, William H. Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry. Abingdon Press, 2002.*
* – I consider top priority reading
** – I already own.
Feel free to offer any suggestions. To Publishers, I’d be more than happy to publish a review of any of these books.
What about Richard Baxter’s The Reformed Pastor
I’ll look at it. The more I look over the lis the more I realize it needs more work (cutting and adding).