The Art of Pastoring: Ministry Without All the Answers
"This book literally saved my ministry. " (From the foreword by Ian Stackhouse, Guildford Baptist Church, Surrey, UK)"Hansen'sThe Art of Pastoringis a gem that most pastors should read every few years to recenter their lives and ministries on and in Jesus Christ. I do not fly fish, nor do I tend sheep. Yet I understand what Jesus means when he says to 'tend my sheep;' I also understand what Hansen means when he says that the pastor is the fisherman's fly." (Scott W. Sunquist, dean, School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary)"One of the most vexing questions students and graduates face centers on pastoral identity. Complicating this, most parishioners have no idea what are realistic expectations. David Hansen'sThe Art of Pastoringgives concise, centering answers. It is a pastoral theology drawn from years of pastoral experience, and it brings back into focus what a pastor is truly called to be and do. It is a much-needed corrective in a day pastors have succumbed to being therapists, CEOs or artists. It belongs in the curriculum of any school serious about training pastors." (John Johnson, associate professor of pastoral theology, Western Seminary, and pastor, Village Church, Portland, Oregon)"The 'art' of pastoring, indeed! Not a science, not a technique, not a manual-driven set of programs, but a deeply felt, highly nuanced story of God's transforming grace being manifest by his servants. No one paints this picture of the life and ministry of the pastor better than David Hansen." (Dr. David Horn, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)