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The Pastor: A Memoir

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I picked up this book because I saw Eugene Peterson speak at the Catalyst Conference; and being at the very beginning of my own pastoral career, I knew I could do well with having some outside voices speak into my situation.

And you could argue that Eugene is Presbyterian and I am not, that he grew up in a different culture and generation than I did and that the world of ministry looks very different today: all true. But, I don't know if that means that the role that the pastor plays is any different - and I think Eugene would agree.

The Pastor is not so much a book as it is a story, what I mean is... it's a journey of how Eugene planted a church, grew a congregation, built a sanctuary and traveled through the "badlands" of ministry.

And as a memoir goes, it had all of the things I was hoping for, funny stories about growing up and being a pastor, how he met his wife, the journey of starting and growing a church, some of his weekly practices, good books he recommends, and some really great biblical application.

But to read this book is really to read Eugene's story, so it wouldn't be right for me to tell it here, but there are a few of the things that resonated with my own story:

First, Eugene talks about the role of pastor being a vocation and not a "job." I've said it a million times, the job of being a pastor is one of the weirdest careers of all time. From the outside it doesn't look like any other nine to five on the planet. But Eugene would rather you think of it as a vocation. With a job, you can walk away from it, you can separate your work life from your home life, and certainly Eugene talks about having a Sabbath rest and "getting away" now and then - but a vocation is a calling - it's a lifestyle of living with a community of people. How does one do that?

Second, Eugene talks about being a "contemplative pastor" and not a "competitive pastor."

What's the difference?

A competitive pastor is always looking to the next project, and is constantly "measuring up" their church activity and the spiritual growth of its members. A competitive pastor has an agenda; has goals and is pushing their way towards those goals. But in the end, these are still people's lives... and while we (as pastors) might feel called to "change people" and perhaps feel like a failure if people don't rise to the occasion, tithe more, become prayer warriors, volunteer, help, join in, memorize, or in any other way mature into the mile marker we have set for them... we have to be able to live comfortably within the space God calls us to.

A contemplative pastor is a pastor who is able to be with people "without having an agenda for them, a pastor who is able to accept people just as they (are) and guide them gently and patiently into a mature life with Christ but not (getting) in the way, (by letting) the Holy Spirit do the guiding." page 211

And the life of being a pastor is finding the balance of merging these two things together - you and the congregation. Eugene talks about how this merging sometimes breaks. "I had been shifting from being a pastor dealing with God in people's lives to treating them as persons dealing with problems in their lives. I was not being their pastor. I could have helped and still been their pastor. But by reducing them to problems to be fixed, I omitted the biggest thing of all in their lives, God and their souls, and the biggest thing in my life, my vocation as pastor... I was trading in the complexities of spiritual growth in congregation for the reduced dimensions of addressing a problem that could be named and understood." page 140

Everyone has their own idea of what a pastor should be, but rather than listen to the congregation define the "job," Eugene embarks on listening to scripture define the "calling." How does worship and work come together? How is a pastor fulfilling his biblical calling on a typical Tuesday?

This is a wonderful book and a helpful resource for the new, the tired, the experienced and the retired. I highly recommend it.

At times, The Pastor has valuable insights. Each chapter, for the most part, is a self-contained story; some helpfully unpack who is Eugene Peterson, others the pastorate or at least pastoral life for Peterson, and some were just enjoyable reading. The book, because it is a memoir, strongly presents a picture of Peterson's pastoral shape and formation--his journey, his temperament, his flavor, and his gifts: Among other dynamics, Peterson is in his element when in one-on-one relationships, nature, solitude, and with pen in hand or a thought in mind; he's contemplative, theological, an academician, a writer-pastor, an `unbusy pastor', poet-craftsman, Montana nature lover, compassionate, collegial, brilliant yet not stuffy, having left a big footprint in God's kingdom yet not taking himself too seriously. No one can fill Eugene's shoes, and only some pastors have a similar temperament and gift mix.

Some of his perceptions are biblically astute and justifiably critical of the American Church that is too often obsessed with programs, numbers, activity, usefulness, consumer religion, and the next big thing. The book's largest section, Shekinah, could have been called `badlands', a term Peterson uses repeatedly to describe a stretch of nomadic land on the way to Montana as well as his desert, formative pastoral years. Here, the Great Shepherd, uses circumstance's in Peterson's life to bring him into his own land--shepherd-writer-theologian.

An Overview

Following its Introduction: Pastor Pete, the book is divided into four parts, with each sort of building on the other. The book is also held together by well-placed stories, with each story serving as a pivot.

Part I. Topo and Kairos. In New York, Peterson meets Pastor John of Patmos who will play a critical role in Peterson's life as a pastor and later as a writer. Part II. "Intently Haphazard." Meet the people, the circumstances, that will both sow and water the seeds the will eventually give birth a pastor. And it was during his seminary days, Peterson met Barth, through his Epistle to the Romans. "I've been reading him ever since." Part III. Shekinah. Along with his wife, Peterson plants a new church in Baltimore. This is where a young pastor will be shaped. The reader will be appropriately encouraged by the few years spent in the "Catacombs Presbyterian Church." This is also where a young pastor will have to clarify his vocational call as a pastor. But following the construction of their promising worshiping facility and sanctuary, disappointment and discouragement would set in the life of this pastor. But Nietzche's phrase A Long Obedience in the Same Direction would steady the ship, so to speak. Part IV. Good Deaths. A now season pastor begins to make the transition, through "Wind Words," as were. What were a pastor's translations of parts of the New Testament and the Psalms in the American vernacular, for his flock, give birth to what we now know as The Message. Ironically, after making the decision not be a professor earlier in life, choosing rather to be a pastor, Peterson, after a few stops, would be installed in the James Houston Chair of Spiritual Theology at Regent College, in Vancouver, Canada.

Concluding Thoughts

In the nearly thirty years at the church he founded in Baltimore, Maryland, Peterson had a faithful, supportive pastor's wife, who went along for the journey from the get go. This was crucial for Peterson.

Though I have issues here and there, especially with Peterson's liturgical approach to his church building project and so on, what I've taken away from reading The Pastor: A Memoir is far more rewarding by contrast. In fact, Peterson has even helped me to clarify my own call as a pastor.

This review first appeared on my blog, Jacob's Café.

A couple of weeks ago, I posted an initial review of Eugene Peterson's memoir, The Pastor. I have finally finished it and absolutely loved it. While I am not in the role of professional clergy, this book hit home to me. If you want to know what my heart is as a psychologist and where I find meaning in life, read this book.

Peterson's book is a perfect example of how amazing of a writer he is. His prose becomes beautifully poetic (and I'm one who generally dislikes poems) with vivid imagery. In the afterward, a letter to a young pastor, he stated that he does not feel like he is a pastor of great achievement. While he did translate The Message Bible and has written many books, I got the sense from reading this that he is not your typical uber-famous Christian who has met the world's standards of success.

Yes, Peterson has had some of that, but he writes not to be famous, but because that is his love and passion. In fact, his personal testimony about the development of The Message makes me love and appreciate it all the more.

But returning to his pastoral work, this is where he finds his primary identity, with the writing elements being more of a supplement to that work. As a pastor, he led a flock of about 500 by the time he left. That's large compared to many institutions, but quite modest compared to those congregations of the best selling authors. And Peterson seemed to have no problem with the size. In fact, he indicated that he didn't want it bigger. He was satisfied with his work, and it showed through his heart and the true, lasting transformation that occurred in his community.

As a psychologist who definitely can be tempted by trying to achieve widespread notoriety, this tome reminded me of the power of daily, incarnational work that we all do on a daily basis. Our daily relationships and connections are what counts. Peterson knows that and lived it. And I have been blessed by his testimony of that life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the christianaudio book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

As much as I love Eugene Peterson's work, I have to suggest that this is neither the best book to read by way of introduction, or even to read if you've read other books by Peterson. In this memoir Peterson re-tells stories from many of his other earlier books, and overall the book is kind of loose and random. Although there are little hints of details that haven't been in his other books (for example, he tells the story of how he was first invited to write The Message), overall, readers would be better served by reading some of his splendid autobiographical books such as A Long Obedience in the Same Direction or Under the Unpredictable Plant.

Perhaps the only readers for whom this book will be of great import are those (like myself) who have striven to read everything Peterson has written, in which case you will read this also. But if you are just starting out reading Peterson, I refer you to those earlier books, as well as to his wonderful series in spiritual theology.

"The Pastor:A Memoir", was my first Peterson read.

I was aware of the brouhaha surrounding his work, "The Message",

and since I have been a KJV devotee, as well as a PK all of my life....

well, I had never allowed myself to even consider reading any of his work.

A friend suggested that I listen to this audio book. I did.

I laughed, cried, and was moved to understand some things about my faith that I had not considered before.

The story of Peterson's life is rich in description and abundant in examples of God's obvious work

in crafting this man's beautiful life.

The human and the Spirit collide seamlessly.

The choicest gleaning for me was the vivid narrative picture of one man, yielded to God.

I am so grateful to my friend for nudging me with this in hand.

My life has been lightened from religiosity, like taking off a heavy, wet blanket.

I found great encouragement in his story, and only wish to find a fine pastor such as he.

"A Long Obedience in the Same Direction" is next.

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Eugene Peterson has written a thoughtful, insightful and encouraging memoir regarding his life and relationship with God.

Aaron Brown, host of the monthly podcast - Terminal Podcast, interviewed Pastor Eugene Peterson regarding "The Pastor."

Here is the link:

[...]

The Pastor: A Memoir

As a Pastor, this book came at a perfect time in my life. No book has cracked my top 5 list for over 10 years. This one did. It is just as valuable for a congregation. It is grace laden and challenging in a way that swims upstream in a church culture addicted to adrenaline and competition . Adam Stadtmiller Author Give Your Kids the Keys: Navigating Your Child to a Personal and Sustainable Faith

I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audio, there is so much depth to it that it can be listened to many times.

I loved hearing the stories from Eugene Peterson's childhood in Montana and as he got to grips with becoming a pastor. I love his honestly with the things he's struggled with in his vocation, I also liked the way he described the changing face of the church in America through the years he was pastoring.

I had only heard of him in connection with `The Message Bible`, so its been an fascinating time listening to this enthralling memoir.

Arthur Morey narration is perfect. His voice is very rich and it definitely suits this audio.

I recommend this to anyone who likes memoirs /biography and anyone involved in pastoral ministry.

Thanks to christianaudio.com Reviewer's Program for this copy.

Whenever Eugene Peterson has a new book out, I get and read it immediately. I can't say that about anyone else. Over the years I've been ministered to by his insights and fresh approach to the truth of Scripture. The Pastor provides lessons learned from over 30 years of pastoral ministry. It is slightly non-linear, and some of his points I've read before in his pastoral theology books. But it is a joy to read, just to enjoy his journey. I've also been in pastoral ministry for over 30 years, and this is the book I would recommend to young seminary grads starting out. The folks in the pews would also benefit from "Pastor Pete's" wisdom!