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Brent A. Belford
Spring 2025 | 3 credit hours
This course helps the student understand both the theology and practice of pastoral ministry. This course explores the pastor’s relationship to God, his family, the church, and unbelievers through course discussion and assigned reading and writing. As a result of taking this course, the student will be able to: a) remain current on current pastoral theology resources with recent works that come to bear on the pastoral office; b) evaluate the contributions of key pastoral theology works; and c) research an area of specific interest within pastoral theology.
Dr. Brent Belford serves as the Faculty Associate of Pastoral Studies at Virginia Beach Theological Seminary. He also serves as the Senior Pastor of Colonial Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, VA. As a former seminary professor and administrator, Dr. Belford brings together the classroom and the church in the Pastoral Ministry courses he teaches at VBTS. Dr. Belford earned his academic degrees at Northland International University (BA, MA, DMin), Faith Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv), and Ridley College (PhD). Read more....
Dr. Belford can be contacted at
50% – Reading
25% – Book Review
15% – Podcast Review
10% – Class Participation
- Baxter, Richard. The Reformed Pastor. Reprint Edition. East Peoria, IL: Banner of Truth Trust, 2020.
- Croft, Brian. The Pastor’s Ministry: Biblical Priorities for Faithful Shepherds. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015.
- Hughes, Kent and Barbara. Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008.
- Miller, Paul E. A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World. Revised Edition. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2017.
- Rinne, Jeramie. Church Elders: How to Shepherd God’s People Like Jesus. 9 Marks Building Healthy Churches. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2014.
- Tripp, Paul David. Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012.
- Witmer, Timothy Z. The Shepherd Leader: Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church. Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing, 2010.
