Book Review of the Book the Pastor
Pastor. The Theology and practice of Ordained Ministry
The book, “Pastor. The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry,” authored by Willimon William is a comprehensive and educative guide to the ups and down of the pastoral ministry. The book can be described as a gift to anyone who is interested in the field of Pastorhood. It can act as the reason why someone chooses to go into the field or chooses to opt out. Willimon is candid in his descriptions and makes sure that the target audience is aware of his position.
From the book, the author clearly demonstrates that pastor hood is not as easy as some fractions of the society believe. He states that the societal changes have made the calling even harder and notes that now, more than ever before, pastors are more prone to sin than their earlier counterparts. One of the main ideas reflected in the book is the fact that the responsibilities of a pastor are not clearly cut out and hence it becomes quite hard trying to define the borders and scope of work. The author notes that the role of the pastor is not to meet all the needs of the society, but rather he advises that their role is to shape and realign the needs of the people to what Christ expects (Willimon, 96). He goes on to state that pastors are not equal to doctors and hence they should not try to ease all the pain in people’s lives. (Willimon, 106)
The book advises pastors to live honest lives and try as much as possible from living in falsehood. This is given as one of the elements of a strong individual. It also helps in time management and in general healthy living. In going through the book, one of the things that come out is the fact that pastoral ministry is not a job but rather, it is a “call from God” (Willimon, 326). The author states that, “The ordained life would be too great a burden for anyone, were it not that God calls us to do that which God is already doing”( Willimon, 355).
The author, being a pastor with
The book, “Pastor. The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry,” authored by Willimon William is a comprehensive and educative guide to the ups and down of the pastoral ministry. The book can be described as a gift to anyone who is interested in the field of Pastorhood. It can act as the reason why someone chooses to go into the field or chooses to opt out. Willimon is candid in his descriptions and makes sure that the target audience is aware of his position.
From the book, the author clearly demonstrates that pastor hood is not as easy as some fractions of the society believe. He states that the societal changes have made the calling even harder and notes that now, more than ever before, pastors are more prone to sin than their earlier counterparts. One of the main ideas reflected in the book is the fact that the responsibilities of a pastor are not clearly cut out and hence it becomes quite hard trying to define the borders and scope of work. The author notes that the role of the pastor is not to meet all the needs of the society, but rather he advises that their role is to shape and realign the needs of the people to what Christ expects (Willimon, 96). He goes on to state that pastors are not equal to doctors and hence they should not try to ease all the pain in people’s lives. (Willimon, 106)
The book advises pastors to live honest lives and try as much as possible from living in falsehood. This is given as one of the elements of a strong individual. It also helps in time management and in general healthy living. In going through the book, one of the things that come out is the fact that pastoral ministry is not a job but rather, it is a “call from God” (Willimon, 326). The author states that, “The ordained life would be too great a burden for anyone, were it not that God calls us to do that which God is already doing”( Willimon, 355).
The author, being a pastor with
Cited: Willimon, William. Pastor. The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry. Abingdon Press. 2002.