These are the most useful online resources on pastoral ministry that I’ve found on the web over the last 5-6 years. They are organized into categories in alphabetical order and cover subjects such as:

Calling

Character

Dangers

Disappointment

Evangelism

Family

Funerals

Health

Money, and so on.

For more online resources on various subjects (like Top 500 Online Resources on Preaching, click here.

BOOKS

Best Books On Pastoral Theology

Top 10 Books on Preaching

Top 10 Books on Christian Leadership

Top 10 Books For Elders

What are the top 10 books every pastor should read…and re-read? | Practical Shepherding

Book Recommendations…for the pastor’s encouragement | Practical Shepherding

Still Not Professionals (Free eBook) – Desiring God

Pastoral Theology: Some Book Recommendations – Kevin DeYoung

6:37: A young preacher’s library

Take Up And Read

CALLING

Biblical Callings, Responsibilities, and Qualifications of a Pastor

Consider preschool before the pulpit | Blogging Theologically

When the Call to Teach Isn’t Audible | The Cripplegate

5 Questions To Ask Before You Join The Ministry | J.A. Medders

Has God Called You? Discerning the Call to Preach | AlbertMohler.com

Am I called to the ministry? | HeadHeartHand Blog

How Can I Tell If I’m Called to Pastoral Ministry? | Kevin DeYoung

Are You Called to Be a Pastor? | Justin Taylor

How can I decide whether or not I should be a pastor? | 9Marks

CHARACTER

Honesty and Ethics Rating of Clergy Slides to New Low

Eleven Reasons Pastors Are Trusted Less Today

A Word to the Introverted Pastor: Be Extroverted on Sunday | Ron Edmondson

Tough and Tender, Courageous and Compassionate: Which Side of the Horse Are You Falling Off Of? – Justin Taylor

The Preacher’s Character by Rick Gamble | Reformed Theology Articles at Ligonier.org

Sam Storms: Oklahoma City, OK > Pastoral Bullies

Ed Stetzer – Thursday Is for Thinkers with Katie Persinger: Above Reproach, Not Unapproachable

Brothers, Live a Visible, Exemplary, Everyday Life – Desiring God

Pride in the Pulpit – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Does Your Church Have Policies and Practices to Protect Against Pastoral Failures? – Pure Church by Thabiti Anyabwile

What to look for in a pastor « THE CHRISTIAN PUNDIT

A Question of Priorities – Reformation21

Your Ministry Is Not Your Identity – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Successful Ministry « THE CHRISTIAN PUNDIT

Alistair Begg: “Inadequacy: The Surprising Secret to Being Useful to God” – Justin Taylor

The shepherd’s soul « The Wanderer

A question of character – Reformation21 Blog

Above Reproach by John MacArthur | Reformed Theology Articles at Ligonier.org

The Most Essential Life Skill: Teachability | HHH

DANGERS

Seven Warning Signs of a Leader’s Fall

Seven Deadly Thoughts of Leaders

Mario Vega: Facing the Tough Decisions Surrounding Moral Failure – churchrelevance.com

7 Ways I Protect My Ministry and Marriage From an Affair – Ron Edmondson

9 Warning Signs of a Pastor Losing His Way | ChurchPastor.com

When Pastors Fall: Why Full and Public Repentance Matters | The Exchange | A Blog by Ed Stetzer

7 Steps Down the Staircase of Dishonesty – Trevin Wax

7 Disastrous Results of Letting Your Personal Fulfillment Drive Your Ministry | Pastoralized – Part 1

7 Deadly Diseases of Pastoral Ministry | Scribblepreach

Sexual Lines no Pastor Should Cross | Guest Views

When Ministry Becomes a Mistress (by Dave Kraft) | Crossway

7 Steps to Avoid Sexual Sin and Stay in Ministry – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Pastoral Idolatry: 10 Common Forms of False Righteousness in Ministry | Pastoralized

The Danger of Defining Yourself by What You Are Against | The Cripplegate

DISAPPOINTMENT

Avoiding Disappointment Distraction | TGC | The Gospel Coalition

Battered Pastors

Borrowed Light: Why Ministers Need the Wilderness

Pastoral Ministry: A Sure Way to Be Dishonored | Christian Counseling & Education Foundation

Pastors Are Hurting – ThomRainer.com

For Anyone Who Has Ever Been Discouraged in Ministry – Justin Taylor

Encouragement for Pastors Tempted with Depression – Justin Taylor

Dealing With Disappointment in the Church, from Kevin DeYoung « Creed:or:Chaos

7 Questions for Discouraged Pastors to Ask Themselves | ChurchPastor.com

Haters Gonna Hate: How To Deal With Three Kinds Of Hate Mail: HHH

EVANGELISM

How Does a Pastor Make Time for Evangelism? – Desiring God

6 Ways To Develop an Evangelistic Culture in Your Church – Reformation21 Blog

Showing, Telling, and the Gospel – Borrowed Light

Why Joy Increases Through Evangelism | Gentle Reformation

6 Evangelistic Motivators | Scribblepreach

8 Lessons on Evangelism from Proverbs by David Murray | Ligonier Ministries Blog

4 Ways We Need to Grow in Evangelism | J.D. GREEAR

Cultivating a Passion for Evangelism in Your Church | the Cripplegate

How can your church be more evangelistic? | Blogging Theologically

The Secret to Spurgeon’s Evangelistic Ministry by Steven Lawson | Ligonier Ministries Blog

A Calvinist Evangelist? by Keith Mathison | Ligonier Ministries Blog

Everyday Evangelistic Conversations | Tim Brister

The Pastor’s Example of Evangelism by Steven Lawson | Reformed Theology Articles at Ligonier.org

The Pastor and the Community – Kevin DeYoung

FAMILY

Nine Secrets Your Pastor’s Wife Wishes You Knew – Shattered Magazine

John Wesley’s Failed Marriage (Reprise) | the Cripplegate

True Woman | Thick Skin, Tender Heart, and What Every Pastor’s Wife Needs Most

12 Reasons Pastors’ Wives Are Lonely

What is one of my greatest marriage mistakes as a pastor? | Practical Shepherding

20Schemes » Why A Good Wife Is The Difference Between Success & Failure

6 Ways To Serve Your Pastor’s Wife On Sunday | Ryan Huguley

Battling Discouragement as a Pastor’s Wife – The Gospel Coalition Blog

How Much Should a Pastor Tell His Wife? – The Gospel Coalition Blog

What Pastors Shouldn’t Tell Their Wives | The Heidelblog

What Your Pastor Tells His Wife about You

A Word to the Pastor’s Wife | Crossway

Flourish: An Online Community for Ministry Wives – Trevin Wax

The Pastor’s Wife and Her Primary Ministry – The Gospel Coalition Blog

The Pastor’s Wife Is a Pastor’s Wife – The Gospel Coalition Blog

The Pastor’s Wife Is Simply a Wife | ChurchPlanting.com

Is There an Office for Pastors’ Wives? | 9Marks

Minister’s wife | Evangelicals Now

7 Suggestions for a Pastor or Pastor’s Spouse to Find True Friends | Ron Edmondson

The Pastor’s Wife: A Position or Juxtaposition? | 9Marks

30 Practical Ways For Pastors to Love Their Wives & Families | 9Marks

How much should a pastor and his wife share with one another? | Practical Shepherding

Her.meneutics: Guarding Your Marriage without Dissing Women

Seven Things I’ve Learned from Joyous Pastors’ Wives

The Pastor’s Kid: My Happy Childhood | TGC | The Gospel Coalition

How Pastors Can Care For Their Children – The Gospel Coalition Blog

How Churches Can Care for Their Pastor’s Children – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Seven Things We Learned from Pastors’ Kids

Pastoring Your Family – Kevin DeYoung

Out of Ur: The Fishbowl, My Friend

Leading the Church While Leading your Family | 9Marks

What are 3 common areas of neglect in a pastor’s life? | Practical Shepherding

3 Reflections on Leading Your Family Well – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Embracing the Biblical Tension Between Family and Church Ministry – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Why Family Time is a Pastor’s Job Description | The Cripplegate

How can I make sure I am individually shepherding my children? – The Gospel Coalition Blog

The Pastor’s Kid (1) « THE CHRISTIAN PUNDIT

Preachers’ Daughters (2) « THE CHRISTIAN PUNDIT

FUNERALS

How do I prepare a sermon for a funeral? | Practical Shepherding

Comforting a Grieving Family

He Buried 200 Church Members. | Ordinary Pastor

What made my most recent funeral the most difficult I have ever preached? | Practical Shepherding

6 Points on Leading Funeral Services: An Open Letter To Pastors | Seedbed

Six things not to say at a funeral

A good funeral | The Briefing

7 Tips for Preaching a Stranger’s Funeral – The Gospel Coalition Blog

I’m Thankful For Christian Funerals « Mike Lee

How to Lead an Unbeliever’s Funeral – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Words Of Comfort For Bereaved Parents | HHH

HEALTH

Five Keys to Recharging This Summer – ThomRainer.com

What It Takes to Survive and Thrive in Ministry | TGC | The Gospel Coalition

Anxiety and Depression, My Strange Friends | TGC | The Gospel Coalition

How to Maintain Pastoral Zeal While Avoiding Pastoral Burnout | TGC

Top Ten Causes of Depression in Pastors | Andrew Knott.org

6 easy ways to contribute to your pastor’s emotional health, a guest post by Ken Miller | Kingdom In The Midst

Eight Ways to Spot Emotionally Healthy Pastors and Staff

7 Ways The Lord Uses Depression in the Life of a Minister

Pastors and Mental Health

Seven of the Greatest Stressors on Pastors

7 Reasons Pastors Burn Out

How Many Hours Should Pastors Work? — DashHouse.com

When We Are Worn Out « Preaching Barefoot

11 Mental, Emotional & Spiritual Challenges Unique to Rural Pastors | Think Theology

Caring is Wearing Me Out! Understanding and Responding to Ministry Stress | Biblical Counseling Coalition Blogs

How to Pull Out of the Burnout Spiral – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Should a pastor have a day off every week? | Practical Shepherding

Physical Exercise: What I Do and Why (Part 1) – Desiring God

Physical Exercise: What I Do and Why (Part 2) – Desiring God

Why should pastors regularly take time off? | Practical Shepherding

Depression And The Ministry: (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5)

Rest and the Pastor’s Soul – Pure Church by Thabiti Anyabwile

Service Bay 1: Routine

Service Bay 2: Relaxation

Service Bay 3: Recreation

Service Bay 4: Rest

Service Bay 5: Re-thinking

Service Bay 6: Reprioritize

Service Bay 7: Return

Six simple ways to avoid burnout | HHH

Compassion fatigue | HHH

JOY

When Productivity Strangles Joy in Ministry | TGC | The Gospel Coalition

Credo Magazine » The Joy of the Pastor-Professor (Matthew Barrett)

30 Reasons Why It Is a Great Thing to Be a Pastor – Desiring God

Ministry Miseries Or Pastoral Pleasures | HHH

Can you enjoy ministry too much? |HHH

MONEY

The Pastor and Personal Finances

Ask RC: How well should pastors be paid? – R.C. Sproul Jr.

Piper on Pastors’ Pay – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Parsonage Living vs. Owning a Home

How does a church decide what to pay a pastor? | Practical Shepherding

Eight Common Money Questions Asked by Pastors

Should Pastors Have A Salary Cap? | For Christ and Culture

You Asked: What Are Guidelines for Setting a Pastor’s Salary? – The Gospel Coalition Blog

6 Thoughts for Pastors on Personal Finances – Eric Geiger

Ministers and money

Money matters

MOVING/LEAVING

How do you counsel a pastor when it is time to leave his church? | Practical Shepherding

Why Do So Many Pastors Leave The Ministry? The Facts Will Shock You

Why Pastors Quit – Kevin DeYoung

5 Things to Do Before Leaving Your Church: The Pastor Edition – Pure Church by Thabiti Anyabwile

Some Questions and Thoughts on Ministerial Calls I – Reformation21 Blog

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Pastors Leaving Their Flocks | Meet The Puritans

10 Real Reasons Pastors Quit Too Soon by Tim Peters – ChurchLeaders.com

Succession Plans and Growing Older – Justin Taylor

A Letter from Kabwata: The Challenges of a Lengthy Pastorate

Why I left my congregation | HHH

ORGANIZATION

Nine Issues Regarding Pastors and Office Hours

Top 50 Online Resources on Time Management

The Tension Between Being Accessible and Being Available | Ron Edmondson

As a pastor, how do you avoid micromanaging your church? – Desiring God

10 Ways to Delegate But Not Frustrate | the Cripplegate

What aspects of your pastoral weekly routine do you find helpful? | Practical Shepherding

How to Run an Elders’ Meeting – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Top 10 biblical priorities for every pastor…revealed. | Practical Shepherding

The Pastor and his Staff, Part 2 | 9Marks

Ten Tips to Becoming a More Productive Pastor – ThomRainer.com

Relax! You’ll Be More Productive |HHH

17 Tips For Better Church Meetings | HHH

PODCASTS

Conversations with Christian Leaders: 3 New Podcasts | TGC

PRAYER

Pastors, Ask for Prayer – Kevin DeYoung

Why Pastors and Elders Need Your Prayers – Kevin DeYoung

Prayer as Pastoral Work – The Gospel Coalition Blog

What Pastors Pray For (Infographic)

How Prayer Transforms Prep

How does a pastor cultivate a ministry of prayer with other pastors? | Practical Shepherding

Five books every Christian should read on prayer

What is the most common ministry priority that a pastor neglects? | Practical Shepherding

Brian G. Hedges : Prepare Your Public Prayers: Helpful Advice from D. A. Carson

9 Reasons Why Church Leaders Struggle with Prayer

Some Practical Help for Leading a Prayer Meeting | Ordinary Pastor

13 Thoughts About Pastoral Prayers

Thirteen Tips for Leading the Congregation in Prayer – Kevin DeYoung

PREACHING

Top 500+ Online Resources on Preaching

How Sermons Work: Lectures On Preaching

SHEPHERDING

What should be the main priorities for the pastor to shepherd the flock? | Practical Shepherding

Borrowed Light: 5 Ways to Deal With Difficult People

Five Love Languages of Pastors

How to Always Be Ready to Care for Your Congregation | Pastoralized

My pastoral confidentiality policy | Tom Ascol Blog |

How does a pastor shepherd a young couple he just married a few months ago? | Practical Shepherding

How To Call Guests | Ryan Huguley

Pastors, Love the Ones You’re With – The Gospel Coalition Blog

What does it look like for a church to care for a young widow and her children after the sudden loss of her husband? | Practical Shepherding

Some Thoughts On Ministering to the Sick and Dying – Kevin DeYoung

Visiting the Sick | Counseling One Another

What lessons have I learned from shepherding a 106 year old widow in my church? | Practical Shepherding

The shepherd’s responsibilities and liabilities « The Wanderer

Seven Essential Elements of an Effective Shepherding Ministry | Andy Naselli

Some Thoughts on How to Provide Long Term Pastoral Care – Part 2 | CCEF

The Church Needs Shepherds, Not Coaches by Paul Lamey – Pastors

A Biblical Theology of the Good Shepherd – Feeding on Christ

A Minister and His Flock – Reformation21 Blog

How to (and how NOT to) Minister to Families Battling Cancer

How does the call to watch over souls relate to size of a church? | Practical Shepherding

Grieving, Hope and Solace | Challies Dot Com

Shepherding a Sick Wife | CBMW | The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

Top 300 Online Resources on Counseling

Top 200 Online Resources on Leadership

Top 75 Online Resources on Disability & Special Needs

STARTING OUT

Advice To Young Pastors (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6)

4 Tips for the Pastor’s First Sixty Days | ChurchPastor.com

What should your first year as a pastor look like? | Practical Shepherding

Young Pastor, Obscurity Is Your Friend | HHH

Why Do Rookie Pastors Get Fired? |HHH

STUDENT MINISTRY

Seven Questions for Two College Pastors

Top 10 biblical priorities for every pastor…revealed. | Practical Shepherding

Pastoral Ministry and Wartime Thinking | Permanent Things

Two Questions that May Greatly Improve Your Church’s Ministry | TGC

5 Tools Needed to Reach Today’s Teens – The Gospel Coalition Blog

4 Lessons Learned From Student Ministry in an Urban Context – Reformed African American Network

Four Moments I’m Preparing Students to Face | TGC | The Gospel Coalition

STUDY

The Danger of Forgetting How to Read the Bible – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Why Pastors Should Read Over Their Heads – Kevin DeYoung

Pastors: Fight for the Time to Read! – Justin Taylor

The Barna Group – The Reading Habits of Today’s Pastors

Advice on Reading Noteworthy Theological Chapters, Articles and Sermons – Feeding on Christ

The Pastor as Scholar & the Scholar as Pastor by John Piper and D. A. Carson Reflections on Life and Ministry – Desiring God

How Do You Prioritize What You Read? | Crossway

The Reading Habits Of Today’s Pastors | HHH

TECHNOLOGY

The Loss of Pastoral Credibility in the Age of the Internet | Alastair’s Adversaria

Should a pastor use and iPad, iPhone, or printed copy of the Bible to minister Scripture to people? | Practical Shepherding

Pastor, how are you on Facebook so much? | Ron Edmondson

12 Social Media Tips For Church Leaders | Steve Fogg: Clear & Simple

Social Media Changes Everything…. | Ron Edmondson

Facebook guidelines for pastors and others | Wisdom for Life

Pastors and social media (1): Be Positive | HHH

Pastors and social media (2): Be Intentional | HHH

Pastors and Social media (3): Be Sociable | HHH

TRAINING

Ten Areas Where Pastors Need to Be Trained for the 21st Century

Orthodox Presbyterian Church – Officer Training and Pastoral Theology Resources

Top 200 Ministry Blogs – Church Blogs | churchrelevance.com

The Ministry (MP3 Series) by Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson (Monergism MP3)

Sinclair Ferguson de Dulk Lectures

VACATION

How much of a pastor’s vacation time should he use? | Practical Shepherding

Vacation for Pastors Who Won’t Take One – The Gospel Coalition Blog

How should a pastor spend his Lord’s Day while on vacation? | Practical Shepherding

Pastors and Vacations

VIDEOS

40 Years Of Gospel Ministry | John Macarthur

Longevity In The Ministry | Panel

Trends Among Evangelicals Entering Ministry – The Gospel Coalition Blog

A Selection of Excellent Church Training Videos – Trevin Wax

Five Great TED Talks for Ministry Leaders | Leadership Journal

Video Interview With Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Ministry Reflections With John Piper And R C Sproul

Sinclair Ferguson: Lessons From A Lifetime Of Pastoring

VISITATION

Have You Ever Had a Pastoral Visit? – White Horse Inn Blog

How to Visit Someone in the Hospital — Joe Holland

What are 10 practical tools when visiting new parents in the hospital? | Practical Shepherding

Eric McKiddie: 3 Steps to An Encouraging Hospital Visit | A Brick in the Valley

Pastor, Why Not Visit Their Workplace? | TGC | The Gospel Coalition

When all else fails, what can I pray during a hospital visit? | Practical ShepherdingPractical Shepherding

Pastoral Visitation: The God-Given Responsibility to Shepherd – Reformation21

Thoughts on visiting – Reformation21 Blog

What are 5 reasons Christians do not visit the sick and dying? | Practical Shepherding

Katekōmen: Pastoral Visitation: The Lost Work of Shepherding

What Should We Do When We Visit the Sick? – Kevin DeYoung

What practical tip about hospital visitation do I find myself coming back to over and over again? | Practical Shepherding

What are 10 practical tools to hospital visitation? | Practical Shepherding

How to Hack Your Introversion and Warmly Visit Someone in the Hospital (Even If You’ve Never Met) | Pastoralized

A “normal” week of pastoral ministry| HHH

A “normal” pastoral visit | HHH

WEDDINGS

7 Issues to Address in Pre-Marital Counseling | Ron Edmondson

Top 10 Books On Marriage

Ten Simple (But Critical) Questions to Consider in Marriage Counseling | Biblical Counseling Coalition Blogs

Premarital Counseling: Things to Cover | Ron Edmondson

Marriage Evaluation: Knowing Each Other & Healthy Expectations | Brad Hambrick

Meaning Of Marriage Study Guide

9 Marks: Marriage Book Comparisons

How does a pastor approach pre-marital counseling?: Practical Shepherding

WRITING

Why Pastors Should Blog | the Cripplegate

Jared Wilson on Writing and Pastoral Ministry – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Tim Keller on Writing and Ministry – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Why Do You Write? by R.C. Sproul Jr. | Ligonier Ministries Blog

5 Reasons Why Pastors Should Write | ChurchPastor.com

LESSONS FROM MINISTRY

What are 10 lessons I learned from the life and ministry of Andrew Fuller? | Practical ShepherdingPractical Shepherding

10 Things I’d Do Differently if I Weren’t a Pastor Today | Ron Edmondson

Take Your Vitamin Z: Lessons from a Lifetime of Pastoring

If I Could Do My Ministry Over Again | Bob Russell

What I Wish I’d Known: Reflections on Nearly 40 Years of Pastoral Ministry – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Seven Ways Pastoring Has Changed in Thirty Years

35 lessons from 35 years as a pastor | Tom Ascol Blog |

Sam Storms: Oklahoma City, OK > What I Wish I Had Known or Done: Reflections on nearly 40 years of pastoral ministry

6 Lessons I Learned as a Rookie Pastor | GCD Articles & eBooks

10 Lessons I learned pastoring the same church for 10 years | Practical Shepherding

Everything I Know about Pastoral Ministry I Learned Riding with Pastors – Pure Church by Thabiti Anyabwile

What are 8 painful lessons my pastor friend learned about pastoral ministry? | Practical Shepherding

Mea Culpa: Learning From Mistakes in Ministry (Part 1) By: Kyle McClellan | Practical Shepherding

Ten Things Pastors Wish They Knew Before They Became Pastors

Grace Covers Me: 50 Lessons Learned in Ministry

Lessons from My First Pastorate