AUTHOR: Douglas D. Webster
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Ministry, 2023, (192 pages).
In this book, Webster helps us wrestle with the differences of pastoral identity across two eras: Christendom and the modern household of faith. Thr former is based on religious tradition or Church denominational history (time-limited) while the latter on followers of Jesus who reflect the values of the gospel (timeless). Change has been happening even in the modern era. The challenge is to try to adapting gospel approaches to changing culture. The Church needs to unlearn the things that have entangled our witness with cultural values. Pastors need to put faithfulness to Christ before professionalism and pragmatism. The rest of us need to cultivate an environment that promotes true shepherding and gospel witness. Webster begins by pushing back against the popular "special call" of a pastor, as if specific pastors are ready made for any particular church. These are part of the legacies of Christendom which is not only outdated, it is proving to be a barrier to building a healthy church. Just like there is no such thing as a "super apostle," there is no such thing as a super pastor for any church. Make the worship service about the Lord instead of pandering to the tastes of the congregation. Encourage discipleship not just in the
church but also in homes. After advocating for some fundamental shifts from Christendom to gospel life for the Church, Webster spends the next five chapters dealing with the things that define the pastor's identity. He urges pastors to build spiritual friendships that would move the pastoral interactions beyond simply a one-way street on Sundays. Relational values must come before power, status, and the exercise of authority. The key role of a pastor is to be a shepherd, which is the core argument in this book. Webster dispels some of the wrong ideas about what a shepherd does. Instead of letting cultural values and Church expectations define the role, go back to the Scriptures, like the three-fold identification of of shepherds/elders in 1 Peter. Instead of mission statements, Webster also suggests the use of Col 1:28-29 as a form of shared vision rather than an impressive technical statement based on management techniques or marketing catchphrases. Truth is more important than techniques. He also advocates the role of the pastor as a theologian, sharing the conviction with like-minded people like Kevin Vanhoozer and Stanley Hauerwas.
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Kregel Books without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
church but also in homes. After advocating for some fundamental shifts from Christendom to gospel life for the Church, Webster spends the next five chapters dealing with the things that define the pastor's identity. He urges pastors to build spiritual friendships that would move the pastoral interactions beyond simply a one-way street on Sundays. Relational values must come before power, status, and the exercise of authority. The key role of a pastor is to be a shepherd, which is the core argument in this book. Webster dispels some of the wrong ideas about what a shepherd does. Instead of letting cultural values and Church expectations define the role, go back to the Scriptures, like the three-fold identification of of shepherds/elders in 1 Peter. Instead of mission statements, Webster also suggests the use of Col 1:28-29 as a form of shared vision rather than an impressive technical statement based on management techniques or marketing catchphrases. Truth is more important than techniques. He also advocates the role of the pastor as a theologian, sharing the conviction with like-minded people like Kevin Vanhoozer and Stanley Hauerwas.
My Thoughts
The simple question of "Who am I? has been drummed into the minds of many seminarians, including my cohort of MDiv students. Webster not only talks about it, he has written a whole book to deal with this vastly important matter. I find three helpful emphases that readers should pay more attention to.
The simple question of "Who am I? has been drummed into the minds of many seminarians, including my cohort of MDiv students. Webster not only talks about it, he has written a whole book to deal with this vastly important matter. I find three helpful emphases that readers should pay more attention to.
First, there is an important distinction between the expectations based on Christendom and that of the gospel. Webster gives a wonderful summary of the differences in the excursus which in itself is worth the price of the book. He covers a wide range of activities that any full-time minister or Church worker will be familiar with. From the teaching to the preaching; the worship, Sabbath rest, small group activities, Sunday services, interactions with visitors, and many more, we learn to focus more on biblical values rather than culturally relevant activities. I would recommend reading the twenty sections slowly and deliberately. Even if one can justify the use of modern methods instead of what Webster is suggesting, I would say hold all criticisms and consider the implied principle instead of the said prescription. A seasoned pastor once told me that "expectations are everything" when it comes to pastoral ministry. That is so true in practice, and managing expectations according to the Word of God must remain a key skill any pastor should have.
Second, let the Word of God be the guiding light. More often than not, many pastors have bought into the modern management styles and techniques to teach them how to do Church. That is why Webster consistently brings us into the Word of God, to let the Word be the initiator, advocate, and sustainer of any Church activities or strategies. He does not simply tell us the Bible reference. He demonstrates the link between the Word and the need. He draws us to a mighty conclusion from letting the Word be an attraction to us being assimilated by the Word of Truth. For instance, he reminds us that pastoring is more than simply caring. It is about proclaiming and practicing the Truth. Caring must not be done in itself. It must be done in the light of God's Truth.
Third, what about identity? It is a process. The way forward for any pastor is to unlearn the past, learn the Truth once again, and to put the Truth into practice. The image of a pastor should be reflective of Jesus our Great Shepherd. That means spirituality must rise above methodology. Truth must reign supreme over techniques. Identity must be authentic to God, in God, and growing in the household of faith they are called into. No one can be independent of others. The Church should not expect their pastors to do everything. Neither should the pastor let their activities define them. Their identity must always be based on Christ and the Word of God. It is a journey of learning one's identity, not a one-off revelation.
Any of these three reasons can justify the purchase of this book.
Douglas D. Webster (PhD. University of St. Michael's College) is
professor of pastoral theology and preaching at Beeson Divinity School,
Samford University. He has served churches in San Diego, New York City,
Denver, and Toronto. His other books include Follow the Lamb: A Pastoral
Approach to The Revelation, Preaching Hebrews: The End of Religion and
Faithfulness to the End, and The Parables: Jesus's Friendly Subversive
Speech.
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Kregel Books without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
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