The Pastoral Books in Order

Eugene Peterson draws on five Old Testament books to recover biblical foundations for pastoral ministry. Prayer, storytelling, sharing suffering, challenging false assumptions and building community become practical alternatives to an exclusive reliance on modern professional techniques.

Eugene Peterson argues that pastoral integrity depends on prayer, reading Scripture and spiritual direction. Drawing on his own ministry, he challenges the pressure to manage churches as businesses and calls pastors back to attentive service to God and people.

Eugene Peterson invites overextended pastors to recover the spiritual purposes of their calling. Reflections on prayer, ordinary conversation, rest and life between Sundays challenge constant activity and explore the patient work of helping others attend to God.

Drawing on Jonah and his own pastoral crisis, Eugene Peterson explores the gap between personal faith and professional ministry. He asks how pastors can recover a holy vocation instead of being absorbed into the ambitions and expectations of a religious career.