Mastering the Pastoral Role by Paul Cedar,

¶ … Mastering the Pastoral Role by Paul Cedar, R. Kent Hughes, and Ben Patterson. Specifically it will contain a critical analysis of the book. This book is one of a series of "Mastering Ministry" titles that help pastors learn more about their avocation and how to manage it. Each chapter covers a different topic, from fundraising to personal growth and church management, and the authors are all pastors themselves.

This book is really a "Bible" for pastors at any stage of their career. It covers just about any situation that a pastor might face in their ministry, and it gives concrete examples that the pastor can understand and learn from. The main contributions include "been there, done that" essays by experiences ministers, so readers can learn from them, and learn from their mistakes, as well. The authors express themselves very well, and they share the difficulties they face every day, along with the immense satisfaction they can feel from their jobs. Probably the most helpful aspect of the book was the fact that all these men are doing the job, and they are sharing their everyday experiences, so incoming pastors will know what to expect before they take over their first church. This is invaluable experience that every pastor should read, because it will help him or her become the best leader possible for his or her congregation.

This book illustrates that so many Christian leaders are so dedicated to their congregations, and to helping them through good times and bad. One of the authors notes, "Each faces unique frustrations and temptations, and each has unique opportunities to minister effectively to God's people" (Patterson, 1991). That is clearly the ultimate goal for these men, taking care of the people they minister to - getting to know them, understand their needs, and be there for them when they need them. They also have the mission to spread God's word, but as you read the book, you realize these are real people, facing all the problems that people face every day. The same author continues, "When I saw two church members in the shop, I quickly ducked behind a mannequin, and when they weren't looking, I slipped out of the store. I was tired; it was my day off; I didn't feel like extending any greetings" (Patterson, 1991). He shows that he is a real man, and he is not perfect, which can help others who read this book. Pastors may feel that they have to be "perfect" inside and out, but these authors show that they can be real people, with all the faults and goodness that comes in each human form. It shows that Christian leaders are strong, have the best intentions, but can have weaknesses and issues just like the rest of us, which is reassuring, somehow.

I really did not disagree with any major points presented in the book. I felt it was an honest, open look at what it is like to be a minister day in and day out, and that it gave an excellent account of what people should expect before they take the job. I thought the book was interesting reading, presented well, and a good book to keep on hand for easy reference. I liked that it tackled all the aspects of a ministry, like fund raising, personal growth, and even handling controversies. I liked the fact that it gave questions to ask the church search committee during an interview, that was extremely helpful and enlightening, and I believe this book could help me land my first position as a pastor, and make me more prepared for that role.