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At the outset I can already tell: this is a good book. There are some reservations I have however, as I go into it: clericalism is not always such a bad thing, and I am a bit wary when it comes to institutional destabilizing books – they tend to carry a bit heavy on the polemical side. Furthermore, I am also cautious around the strong emphasis on the revolutionary spirit of the Protestant Reformation at the expense of the merits of Catholic and Eastern theologies. Indeed, this appears to be the operating presumption as reflected in the section titles: “The Church in the New Reformation, The Pastor in the New Reformation, Leadership in the New Reformation.” Also, the use of “institution” in the pejorative sense pervades: “The Institutional Entrapment of the Church” (62), “Unveiling Our Institutional Mind-Set” (78), “Shifting from Institution to Organism” (94). I appreciate the latter distinction of Organism over Institution yet find myself still wary at the pervasive denigration of institution. Read more…

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I understand this book (Henri Nouwen’s Creative Ministry) in the context of the developing pastoral theologies in the latter half of the 20^th century; and can place some of the socio-philosophical (and especially psychological) context from which Nouwen is writing. I was even surprised to find a slight liberationist bent in his words, “Should I remain nonviolent at all cost, or is there a time when violence might be the only ethical response?” Overall however, I find most important his central critique of “professionalism” in ministry, the disillusionment the minister experiences when our profession is placed side by side with the other helping professions, just another facet of the overall human care system. Such commoditization is perhaps what is at the root of the problem, not to mention in the current U.S. health care debates. We ministers do not want to be seen as just another commodity, just another white coat. There is something unique to what we do, transcendent, and yet we are often relegated to just another specialization. In this sense I think what Nouwen is saying here has special relevance not just for the local minister, but for the chaplain as well. Read more…

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I read this book for a class report and found it quite good; here’s what I had to say in the report, hence the “stiff” language:

This is a really good book. My appraisal has as its context a conversation I had with a denominational leader a few years back regarding my performance as a church planter. He said, “Wayne, you are not a process-oriented person.” Instead of chafing, I took that to heart and found it to be a necessary critique; this book has furthered my self-understanding along those same lines.

If I might summarize my understanding of this book in one word, it would be “chemistry”. We often overlook this necessary dimension to pastoral ministry, viewing it from a rather utilitarian perspective, and the resultant breakdown in congregation-pastor relationship is often not necessarily due to “incompatibility” (60), but a failure to adjust leadership style. As such, the drive of this book is to bring about personal awareness in our pastoral approach, making strategic and wise adjustments, facilitating chemistry with persistence and patience, leading to culture-making. In this sense, the wise pastor recognizes his / her role as “environmental engineer” (46), essentially, the biblical ideal of discernment. I appreciate this emphasis on pastoral “fit” as necessity, but not limitation. Like marriage, an ill-fitting arrangement can be avoided; but at the same time, an ill-fitting arrangement need not signal divorce.

I also find useful reflection on the nature of congregation, especially as it pertains to my continued interest in the field of church planting. On page 17, I find listed the qualities of a “well-differentiated person”, characteristics that I also perceive are necessary for a strong planting core group. Conversely, I also resonate with the wisdom on page 97, that “a major component of Christian growth involves learning to love and relate to brothers and sisters in Christ who were not personally chosen.” I hear Bonhoeffer’s dictum in the background; “he who loves community destroys community”, essentially warning us of the “idealization” of who we want around us, i.e., the “ideal” core group. No such thing.

This is a book I intend to reference continually in my pastoral vocation. And I’m asking my wife to read it as well; her background in Family/Child Development runs a similar course of thought, and I will need her wisdom in the process. In the end, I think we will have learned from our past mistakes, but this systems approach helps me in re-approaching core development, congregational chemistry, and hopefully launching a great community.

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Another class-required review:

Let me begin with an affirmation of Hirsch’s book. He is essentially a mirror to evolving ecclesiology; articulating the trends as he sees them. This statement, however, is followed with a proviso; for while I regard Hirsh himself as a capable author, my beef is essentially with the self-avowed experts, those Hirschites who polemicize against all things remotely organized or institutional. Having personally been the target of some claiming the authority of the attractional / incarnational critique (who currently belong to no church, I might add) I have found the criticism to be not only unfair but somewhat elitist in tone, as well as reactionary and containing a polemical ring. No one likes a ranter.

Now, on to an engagement with Hirsh’s ideas themselves. Read more…

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Disclaimer: If you’re looking for a video game you’re @ the wrong place. If you’re here for a theology book – you’ve searched correctly.

This book was on a req’d reading list for a class I’m taking on Biblical perspectives on evil. I’d heard Boyd’s argument before and found it deeply compelling – some of the best answers to the problem of evil – that I’ve ever heard. But at the same time it left me with questions – something wasn’t normal - in the sense that we are used to orthodoxy. After deeply studying the book, arguing it, debating it, discussing it – I think I get what’s not sitting well with me now, along with several classmates. The prof seems convinced; we remain unconvinced – although deeply compelled. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it heterodox - but it definitely is UN-orthodox. Here’s my review: Read more…

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