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August 28, 2010 – 10:11 pm | by cofiam
O Shepherd, Where Art Thou? Miller Challenges Conventional Thought Again – Benjamin Potter – Mulberry Grove, IL USA
In the inspiring fashion of The Sermon Maker: Tales of a Transformed Preacher, Calvin Miller takes his readers down another worn-out path for many pastors–pastoral ministry, namely the task of caring for the parishioners. Employing the fictional Sam, again, Miller addresses the issues faced by many ministers who have struggled through years of leading a typical congregation, only to be jealous of the pastor down the street who is wowing the crowds.
In this new story, Sam finds himself seeking the advice of a nationally renowned preacher who leads a left-coast mega-church and advocates that every minister should delegate, delegate, delegate. In so doing, the preacher will find more time to think mega-thoughts, prepare mega-sermons, and build his own mega-church, with the people getting lost in the tidal wave of flash and show.
The book design might be at first distracting because of its unorthodox presentation. But just like this books predecessor, O Shepherd is a small volume with lots of volume. In the fictionalization of everyday pastoral life, Miller uses not an angel this time, but the ghost of one of the greats in Christian History–Richard Baxter of Kidderminster who advocated spending time being the shepherd of your sheep–to bring Sam back to the straight and narrow of being a pastor. Again the volume is rounded out with commentary on the left-hand pages with scholarly notes in the back.
While not as inspiring as The Sermon Maker, through the voice of Baxter Miller drives home some well-needed lessons for the pastor in these days of “bigger is better” church life. This is a welcome volume for any pastor’s library.
4 out of 5 reading glasses.
–Benjamin Potter, May 27, 2010
An Insightful Parable – Stand Firm in the Faith – Lake Tahoe, California USA
Uniquely written with a Parable on one page, and on the opposite page is the impressions and perceptions of the author. Although the story is written in a humorous fashion, the story takes a serious examination of the popular church-growth movement and it’s detrimental impact on Pastors and congregations. The Parable demonstrates that competitiveness and ambition for success can leave the flock unattended for and neglected.
Calvin Miller writes on the topic of the mega church-growth movement/CEO concepts being used to draw the crowds into the Church, and how they are structured to meet the needs of the Pastor.
The metaphoric Narrative takes a dramatic turn when the Pastor in the story comes upon a seriously injured truck-driver who is dying and the Pastor realizes that it is more important to stay connected to the lives of his people who are hurting,sick, and suffering, then to promote his ambitions for a large church and personal popularity. The Author conveys why Pastors may be drawn to this type of program and what Pastors struggle with in their vocation, which was insightful. This book received only 3 stars due to the Author’s support of Contemplative teachers which the writer promotes. For a deeper understanding on the concerns about the contemplative prayer movement, Ray Yungen’s book – A Time of Departing is very helpful.
Very true remarks of where Christianity is going in the U.S. – Barbara Lichtenstein – Southern California
Calvin Miller is right on the money in his interpretation of how the U.S. Christian churches are following the commercialization of religion in “ME”ga sizing churches like fast food restaurants now. Instead of being available to the congregation in times of sorrow and true spiritual need, the “pastors” are not avialable to their “flock” on an individual basis and no longer know the congreation by first names. He also mentions how everything is “numbers” now–just preaching to the masses. The personal touch is disappearing, especially in the larger communities, and that may be why people are shying away from religion at a rapid rate, because it is no longer filling the need it used to when church communities were smaller. Excellent book, I strongly recommend it to theoligians in particular, so they’ll take their “true vocation” more seriously.
: In this hilariously humbling fable about modern church culture, master storyteller Calvin Miller introduces Sam, a misguided ministry professional who is free to hit the golf course more often after reading Physician, Heal Thyself: How to Kiss Pastoral Care Good-bye Forever. Clearly poking fun at the “professionalization” of doing the Lord’s work, Miller’s point is that no matter how complex church life becomes staying involved in the lives of real people is still top priority.
O Shepherd, Where Art Thou?
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