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

Eugene H. Peterson (Author)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Pastor-teacher Eugene Peterson has written a book of wisdom and refreshment for busy pastors illustrated with engaging personal anecdotes and including poetic reflections on the Beatitudes and discussions of such themes as curing souls, the language of prayer, the ministry of small talk, and sabbatical.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 179 pages
  • Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (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: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #82,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
    #100 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Ministry & Church Leadership > Pastoral Counseling
    #41 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Theology > Pastoral Theology

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Eugene H. Peterson
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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First Sentence:
A HEALTHY noun doesn't need adjectives. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
apocalyptic pastor, willed passivity, pastoral vocation, pastoral work, middle voice
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jesus Christ, Tinker Creek, Annie Dillard, Holy Spirit, Holy the Firm, Lord's Day, Puget Sound
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The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction
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Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity
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Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity 4.3 out of 5 stars (15)
$13.60
Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work
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$13.60
Under the Unpredictable Plant: An Exploration in Vocational Holiness
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Under the Unpredictable Plant: An Exploration in Vocational Holiness 4.5 out of 5 stars (16)
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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16 of 16 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
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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."

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15 of 15 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.

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16 of 17 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!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars My favourite book on pastoral ministry and my favourite Peterson book
Eugene H Peterson, The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction (Grand Rapids Eerdmans, 1993 [1989])

Reviewed by Darren Cronshaw... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Darren Cronshaw

5.0 out of 5 stars Contemplative Pastor
Peterson's The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction (Dallas: Word Publishing, c. 1989), is one of his best books. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Gerard Reed

5.0 out of 5 stars A very helpful book
My husband is a very hard working pastor. He focuses more on other people than on himself. This book reminds him that he must spend time with God for himself first, then he can... Read more
Published on November 9, 2006 by Susan Causey

4.0 out of 5 stars A lovely book for and about pastors
The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction, Eugene H. Peterson, Eerdmans, 1989, 171 pp. Read more
Published on May 4, 2005 by George VANPOPTA

5.0 out of 5 stars This is My Favorite of All Peterson's Books!
POSITIVES
If I had the opportunity to put together a small list of "must have" books for the libraries of Christian Leaders across the nation, this book would be on... Read more
Published on March 8, 2004 by R. Kirkham

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound Pastoral Insights
When I first started reading this book, I thought perhaps it was a waste of money. There was no meaty theological discussion, just basic, almost simplistic spirituality. Read more
Published on September 1, 2003 by David R. Bess

4.0 out of 5 stars A fresh perspective on the work of the pastor.
I like this book! Dr. Peterson has a special knack of putting the common into the light of the extraordinary and the extraordinary into the light of the common. Read more
Published on October 20, 1998 by Bryan Lowe at abi@xyz.net

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