Pastor by William H. WillimonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Recommended for clergy seeking to pastor with integrity, authenticity, and honesty regarding the challenges and joys of pastoring...especially within a Protestant milieu. Some of the final chapters on the calling of the clergy, ordination, the long view on ministry, etc. will be a great comfort and reminder for those who seek to pastor in keeping with the calls of the Gospel and the Kingdom of God.
The author shows experience, theological and historical competence as well as nuance in application to life and pastoral leadership. The author also exposes the reader to some seemingly helpful books for further study and consideration.
The Author is at his best when he is not trying to legitimize Wesley or the anti-intellectual revivalism and pietism of Methodism. That said, he largely focuses on solid historical sources and solid theological influences of the 20th century.
However, I did find his chapter on preaching disappointing and typically Protestant...i.e., worship is seen as an event that is really about preaching that is dependent on a creative orator/leader instead of the historic idea of corporate worship as a spiritual discipline for both congregation and preacher (the main reason I give this book a 4-star rating instead of a 5) .
While it is important for clergy to be competent in knowledge and growing as communicators (stewardship), parishioners should be coming to worship their God and desirous to learn (faithfulness), not looking for excuses not to listen with an expectation to be titillated. When we succumb to this consumerist tendency we do not challenge our people to greater growth and thoughtfulness but enable their self-centered default settings and laziness. This approach to preaching has a long history in Protestant and Puritanical/pietistic preaching (although, I believe that Luther and Calvin would have chafed at it).
In the end, I recommend this book and will continue to refer to and use it in my future ministry and development.
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