The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction [Paperback]

Eugene H. Peterson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1993

Are you caught in the business of preaching, teaching, and running the church? Then Peterson, a pastors pastor, will speak words of refreshment and wisdom to your heart! His chapters begin with poetic reflections on the Beatitudes and then address themes such as curing souls, praying with eyes open, the language of prayer, the ministry of small talk, and sabbatical---all illustrated with engaging personal anecdotes. Several poems on the incarnation finish the work. A timely book for pastors who want and need to get back to the basics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 179 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Pub Co (November 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802801145
• ISBN-13: 978-0802801142
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,274 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Ministry & Church Leadership > Pastoral Counseling
  • #72 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Ministry & Church Leadership > Church Administration

More About the Author

Peterson, now retired, was for many years James M. Houston Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. He also served as founding pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland. In addition to his widely acclaimed paraphrase of the Bible, The Message (NavPress), he has written many other books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing walk with a fellow pastor, January 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction (Paperback)

Eugene Petersons reflections on the struggle of Christian ministry touched cords in my heart. The pain, the joy, the doubts and fears are explored as if we were talking with a fellow worker in the vineyard.

I wish I had read this book before entering ministry. Some of the dark times would not a felt so dark knowing that another had asked the same questions.

Practical, interesting and a refreshing book to read.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful for the Busy Pastor who Shouldn't Be, September 24, 2003

By 

Brian G Hedges (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction (Paperback)

The Contemplative Pastor - the first book I have read by Eugene Peterson - is a helpful study not in sermon preparation or church growth strategies or qualifications for eldership (the kind of stuff I usually read), but on the pastor's heart and the pastoral art.

Peterson describes the term "pastor" with three unusual adjectives: un-busy, subversive, and apocalyptic (a chapter is devoted to each term), and then charts a course for shepherding people in the mundane.

Peterson's poetry is sprinkled through the book, concluding with numerous poems at the end. Unfortunately, his poetry is not all that good. To me, it just seemed like the throwing together of pretty words without much rhyme or reason.

But there are some jewels to be mined here - especially Peterson's job description for the un-busy pastor who devotes his time to prayer, bringing messages from God, and listening to his people, his meditation on "the middle voice" in relation to prayer, and his chapter "The Ministry of Small Talk."

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should Be Required Reading By All Student Preachers!, April 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction (Paperback)

If you are a pastor, thinking of going in to the ministry, seminary student etc. BUY THIS BOOK! Peterson's insights are just exactly what I needed someone to tell me 15 years ago when I entered the ministry. This is part of three or four books Peterson has written for pastors and if they have only half of the depth of this one they are all super. Peterson's books to pastors all have cumbersome titles but buy 'em, they're great. Worthy reading! The others are: 'Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work' 'Under the Unpredictable Plant' 'Working the Angles' Check this great pastor's pastor out. You will not be disappointed!