The Sacred Wilderness of Pastoral Ministry: Preparing a People for the Presence of the Lord
"David Rohrer writes like Eugene Peterson. Just as Peterson used Jonah's story to call a generation of pastors to 'vocational holiness,' so Rohrer uses John the Baptist's story to call this generation of pastors to point to Jesus. In our look-at-me culture where congregations glorify pastors, this book should be required reading for all who wish to 'make ready a people prepared for the Lord.'" (Scott Cormode, Hugh De Pree Professor of Leadership Development, Fuller Seminary)"I work with pastors and seminarians every day and truly believe that there are few vocations which are more challenging. David Rohrer not only captures an authentic portrait of the often conflicted life and work of a pastor but points us in a direction of new vision, hope, healing and joy for the journey--all birthed from the unlikely story of John the Baptist. This is a refreshingly honest and biblically faithful book, and I will be recommending it not only to pastors and seminarians but also to anyone who loves the church and church leaders." (Stephen A. Hayner, president, Columbia Theological Seminary)"This is a quiet and compelling witness of a pastor who has the courage to go against the consumer-driven, anxious and statistics-obsessed fashions that are a plague on the American church. Pastor David Rohrer doesn't underestimate the difficulties and challenges that face churches and pastors today but has chosen to cultivate a pastoral presence rooted in treating congregations with dignity and souls with holy respect. And he has lived to tell the story. Pastors, read this book. Friends, itispossible to do this." (Eugene H. Peterson, pastor emeritus of Christ Our King Presbyterian and translator of The Message)"Being a pastor is a hard, weird and wonderful privilege of God's grace. Dave Rohrer honestly explores these realities in ways that hold together the tensions and hopes of a pastoral vocation. This candid book is as encouraging as it is sobering." (Mark Labberton, director of the Lloyd John Ogilvie Institute for Preaching at Fuller Theological Seminary and author of The Dangerous Act of Worship)