jthornenj's review against another edition
5.0
Such a great read and I would say you should make it mandatory if you are or are planning to be in vocational ministry.
tommyokeefe's review against another edition
5.0
This was a life-giving read in so many ways. Chapter after chapter, I felt like I was gently and graciously being deconstructed. This book exposed some rather toxic ideas I had developed over the years of my life about what it means to "do ministry". Zack masterfully exposes the toxicity, and invites us into a life of faithfulness in the simple and mundane. He paints a picture of apprenticeship to Jesus in the ordinary & everyday rhythms of life. His articulation of what it means to be a faithful Servant of Jesus was a needed balm for my soul that brought smiles, sorrow, laughter, tears, and much needed repentance.
Theologically and doctrinally, I know there are areas where Zack and I would think very differently. But in this book none of that matters. I think if any one of us sat down with Zack for coffee and some conversation, he would just want to talk about what it means to follow Jesus in the ordinary and mundane minutiae of life, and that's exactly how it should be.
Theologically and doctrinally, I know there are areas where Zack and I would think very differently. But in this book none of that matters. I think if any one of us sat down with Zack for coffee and some conversation, he would just want to talk about what it means to follow Jesus in the ordinary and mundane minutiae of life, and that's exactly how it should be.
adamschoenmaker's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written, deeply profound, and practically helpful. Outstanding.
ryangeer's review against another edition
5.0
As a pastor, I've read the 2x now and will likely read it again. I think every pastor and ever Christian should read this book.
themtj's review against another edition
2.0
I struggled through this book. I have grown weary of all the Christian "real talk" about how hard life and ministry is. I think there are a lot of well-intentioned pastors, professors, and authors who want to shield younger people from the pains of life and vocation, but I'm not sure that books of horror stories is the answer.
I think Zack is a great man and a good author, I enjoy some of his other work and I like listening to him lecture. This book just didn't get it done for me. I would recommend this to someone who has recently dealt with a painful life transition, but not to someone on the front-end of life/ministry.
I think Zack is a great man and a good author, I enjoy some of his other work and I like listening to him lecture. This book just didn't get it done for me. I would recommend this to someone who has recently dealt with a painful life transition, but not to someone on the front-end of life/ministry.
mc_moose's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a refreshing read and one that I’d warmly recommend to all Christian readers, not just pastors.
shortthoughts's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good read. This is a very practical look at pastoral ministry. Some parts resonated more than others.
ivantable's review against another edition
5.0
Eswine reminds us that “life and ministry are an apprenticeship in Jesus in which, by his grace, he recovers our humanity, and for his glory he enables others to do the same.”
joshuamadl's review against another edition
5.0
Very helpful, real, and sobering for a prospective pastor.
notwithoutwitness's review against another edition
5.0
This is hands down my favorite book on pastoral ministry. It's poetic, pointed, and powerful. Eswine is a pastor's pastor. He knows the human heart. He knows the challenges of ministry. He knows the brokenness of sin. And he knows the humbling power of the gospel.
I read Sensing Jesus a few years ago. The Imperfect Pastor is a revised and updated version of Eswine's older work. I hate saying, "every pastor should read this book" but truly, every pastor should read, think about, and meditate on this book.
In essence "life and ministry are an apprenticeship in Jesus, in which by his grace, he recovers our humanity, and for his glory he enables others to do the same" (253). Eswine helps put us pastors in our place. We are not God. We are his very human image bearers. We are not all knowing. We are not all powerful. And we are not everywhere. We are limited, at times foolish, and very local. Eswine helps us see the grace and humility of being human which empowers us to see and trust in the hope of Christ.
I read Sensing Jesus a few years ago. The Imperfect Pastor is a revised and updated version of Eswine's older work. I hate saying, "every pastor should read this book" but truly, every pastor should read, think about, and meditate on this book.
In essence "life and ministry are an apprenticeship in Jesus, in which by his grace, he recovers our humanity, and for his glory he enables others to do the same" (253). Eswine helps put us pastors in our place. We are not God. We are his very human image bearers. We are not all knowing. We are not all powerful. And we are not everywhere. We are limited, at times foolish, and very local. Eswine helps us see the grace and humility of being human which empowers us to see and trust in the hope of Christ.