The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction

Quite often when I read Eugene Peterson on pastoring I feel my blood pressure dropping and my spirit settling into the place it longs to be. As a pastor I am subject to a lot of theories and expectations about what it means to do my job, and I suspect most of them are warmed-over corporate make-work that simply do not belong in my vocation. Peterson, however, expresses with great experience and aplomb what it is like to try and be a good pastor.When I sat down to open up "The Contemplative Pastor," I thought I would just read a couple of pages to get started and so did not have a pencil in hand. I read the first sentence, put the book down, and returned with a pencil. "If I, even for a moment, accept my culture's definition of me, I am rendered harmless." I do not want to be harmless, but I suspect that is how many view me. I knew then that if the rest of the book lived up to the promise of this first thought I was in for a marvelous read.Peterson's goal in the book seems to be reshaping what we mean when we talk about the vocation of pastor. What do we do? What makes us different from other people helping professions? Is there anything different between the two, and if so, is there a way of recapturing it? He begins with describing the pastor as "unbusy, subversive, and apocalyptic." And so the book goes, relabeling the pastor in ways that are not in-step with current cultural trends but which capture the significant, if hidden, vocation of pastor. One particularly insightful passage near the end deals with the adolescence of our age and how that kind of immaturity has crept into even the pastor's life.The first half of the book simply soars with insight and encouragement to be something different from what the world around us, and even within us, wants us to be. At moments halfway through the book I thought the pastoral insight waned a bit, but overall it never really lost its subversive encouragement. Throughout, Peterson moves expertly from discussing a theology of sin and what that does to our view of others, to the genuine expectations of a congregation, to the value of learning to use language well through reading and writing poetry. There is a lot here to absorb and learn from.The biblical role of pastor has been lost in our American and Western cultures, and therefore needs to be regained. It is something of significant value in the lives of people, congregations, and communities and thus cannot be surrendered to corporate style leadership or nice-guy optics. Peterson is a phenomenal guide back to the path we should be trodding.

Peterson is a pastoral artisan of words. Each chapter is a standalone masterpiece in its own right. My only regret in reading this book is having waited so long to do so.

There are few writers I enjoy more than Eugene Peterson. His love for God, for people, and for language routinely meet on the pages of his books. His work should be tasted and savored, but I find it difficult not to binge on his writings. Not surprisingly, Peterson exploring "the Art of Spiritual Direction" in The Contemplative Pastor (1989) was a book that I had a hard time setting down.The Contemplative Pastor is broken into three sections. In the first, "Redefinitions," Peterson explored three descriptors for a pastor: unbusy, subversive, and apocalyptic. I was recently moved by his description of the "unbusy pastor" in his later memoir The Pastor and had some familiarity with the idea of the apocalyptic pastor. Briefly, in Peterson's thoughts, pastors should be characterized by settledness, margin, and patience, working without frenzy in the day to day life of the church and of the world.The second section--the longest--is called "Between Sundays". Peterson meaningfully argues that much, if not most, of the work of the pastor takes place from Monday to Saturday. The nine chapters here are built around the beatitudes with an eye toward soul care. Each chapter begins with a poem and then moves into the realities of spiritual direction, exploring themes such as creation, prayer, language, small talk, and suffering.The final, albeit too brief, final section contains a number of poems about the incarnation. Peterson asked, "is it not significant that the biblical prophets and psalmists were all poets?" To answer his rhetorical question, yes, I believe it is significant. Words matter.Words convey truth, but they also convey beauty.Like his previous works The Contemplative Pastor by Peterson is a joy to read, whether or not you are a pastor.

A very deep book that encourages each of us to look at the reality of our life and service. Thought provoking, I wish I would have read this 29 years ago, before I entered vocational ministry. Would it make a difference, who can say, but my prayer is I can absorb and use it now.

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."

In essence this book should be compulsory reading for anyone exploring the vocation of being a pastor - which Peterson defines by the ancient description of being a 'Cure of Souls.' Refreshing, challenging and deeply moving I have found this book to be a tonic for my jaundiced view and feel myself refreshed and renewed having contemplated this book.From the very first chapter on the 'Unbusy Pastor' to the last on becoming a wordsmith, the book challenges you to consider the role of pastor not as someone who runs a church but as someone who brings God to the people. A deeply refreshing and stimulating book not for your shelves but for your ministry. Read and be inspired!

A wonderful writer with a big heart for God and his people, this warm and incisive book has plenty of challenge, encouragement, personal stories and powerful insights. Have found his whole series on pastoral theology so valuable.Emphasises the importance of slowing down and taking note of the everyday in people's lives (life in the traffic), not letting programmes eclipse people. 'Lashed to the mast' is a powerful, timely Jeremiah-like reminder to keep proclaiming scripture especially when no-one wants to hear what it says. Last chapter on sabbatical is fascinating on Peterson's own life and very practical ideas for how to engage in and prepare for a sabbatical break.

Loved reading Eugene’s history as I have recently retired. Helpful reflections on pastoral ministry. Helped me reflect on mine.

Well written and deep yet easy to read. Not just for Pastors, anyone could benefit.

excellent