Review of
“Portraits of a Pastor”
ByJason K. Allen
(Published by Moody Publishers)
Reviewed by GIOELE GALLO
When we talk of the pastoral ministry, there are different views as to what it endorses. Some value a Pastor simply as a career, while the rest of the Ephesians 4:11 ministries accomplish the other tasks; some others think of it as a ministry where the pastor does everything by himself, a sort of Superman for the church.
When I read the title of this book, I was on the one hand inspired, on the other challenged and perhaps also a little suspicious. How can we talk of a Pastor as a Shepherd, a Husband and Father, a Preacher, a Theologian (this scared me), a Church Historian (this also made me feel uneasy, considering that I struggle to remember even the birthdays of my own nieces and nephews), an Evangelist, a Missionary, a Leader, a Man of God and be realistic? "A Pastor cannot possibly be strong in all those areas", but the inspiration was greater than the suspicion so I bought the book and read it through.
I must say that it went beyond my expectations. I am a supporter of the idea of the Pastor embracing a bit of all other ministries for his church, nevertheless the labels used in the Bible (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher) sound intimidating and could make the Pastor feel uncomfortable with the aim of trying to be all of them. This book does not suggest that the Pastor should unite all five ministries in one person, but that he should be a complete provision for the healthy and heterogeneous growth of his local fellowship. It does it using nine attributes we are all confident with. The writers speak of a multitasking Pastor, yet not someone who wears others' shoes. The balance is thin but clear. The different tasks are presented not to weigh down the Pastor with new duties, but as completion of his own pastoral calling.
I found the approach to this writing interesting. Every chapter has been entrusted to a Pastor who excels in the portrait he describes. Many of them write about their bit as "the most important" one. It seems an editorial mistake, but it is not. We all are different, the writers are different, the readers will have diverse sensitivities and priorities. In this book there are not magic tips on how to make a Pastor successful, but several biblical suggestions that help in keeping the pastoral ministry balanced and focused. It is not a book that will try to change the reader, but that aims to stretch him to see his ministry go to greater places.
Finally, some of the nine titles used might sound abstract or far from the reader (as for me 'Theologian' and 'Church Historian' were), but the exposition is not reserved for scholars. This writing is full of real-life applications and examples. It is a practical book for practical people. This will help the reader to engage with it in a very personal way, according to each one's personal need.
When I read the title of this book, I was on the one hand inspired, on the other challenged and perhaps also a little suspicious. How can we talk of a Pastor as a Shepherd, a Husband and Father, a Preacher, a Theologian (this scared me), a Church Historian (this also made me feel uneasy, considering that I struggle to remember even the birthdays of my own nieces and nephews), an Evangelist, a Missionary, a Leader, a Man of God and be realistic? "A Pastor cannot possibly be strong in all those areas", but the inspiration was greater than the suspicion so I bought the book and read it through.
I must say that it went beyond my expectations. I am a supporter of the idea of the Pastor embracing a bit of all other ministries for his church, nevertheless the labels used in the Bible (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher) sound intimidating and could make the Pastor feel uncomfortable with the aim of trying to be all of them. This book does not suggest that the Pastor should unite all five ministries in one person, but that he should be a complete provision for the healthy and heterogeneous growth of his local fellowship. It does it using nine attributes we are all confident with. The writers speak of a multitasking Pastor, yet not someone who wears others' shoes. The balance is thin but clear. The different tasks are presented not to weigh down the Pastor with new duties, but as completion of his own pastoral calling.
I found the approach to this writing interesting. Every chapter has been entrusted to a Pastor who excels in the portrait he describes. Many of them write about their bit as "the most important" one. It seems an editorial mistake, but it is not. We all are different, the writers are different, the readers will have diverse sensitivities and priorities. In this book there are not magic tips on how to make a Pastor successful, but several biblical suggestions that help in keeping the pastoral ministry balanced and focused. It is not a book that will try to change the reader, but that aims to stretch him to see his ministry go to greater places.
Finally, some of the nine titles used might sound abstract or far from the reader (as for me 'Theologian' and 'Church Historian' were), but the exposition is not reserved for scholars. This writing is full of real-life applications and examples. It is a practical book for practical people. This will help the reader to engage with it in a very personal way, according to each one's personal need.