A reflection from Rev Imogen Ball on The Pastor
The quiet power of rooted ministry
This summer I read Eugene Peterson’s memoir, The Pastor. This book was a welcome addition to our (nearly) annual Welsh holiday. Peterson’s pace and style of writing lends itself to an easy read, while the content of this book is affirming, challenging, and inspiring. In spite of Peterson’s fame and prestige in the Christian world, I had little knowledge of his personal and vocational life. The Pastor walks the reader through Peterson’s life from birth to Pittsburgh, where he translated the The Message, and ending up at Regent College in Vancouver.
I was surprised and encouraged by the interweaving of Peterson’s bi-vocations of Pastor and Theologian. In different seasons of his life, Peterson grew and developed in one or other of these vocations. However, the way he writes about both theological education and pastoral ministry makes clear the integrated nature of these two callings. As a priest in a church plant and a PhD student, Peterson’s bi-vocational model gave me hope that these callings are not distinct but in fact deeply and profoundly interrelated. The title ‘Pastor Theologian’ is not one that feels entirely comfortable, but perhaps Peterson’s ministry gives permission for all those called to pastoral ministry to see themselves as theologians, and vice versa.
Searching for God
Peterson has an extensive bibliography with titles like The Message gracing bookshelves around the world. But it seems to me that Peterson did not go looking for fame and fortune. His ministry was not a career ladder to climb but a community to inhabit and serve. Peterson says: ‘to keep this vocation healthy requires constant self-negation, getting out of the way. A certain blessed anonymity is inherent in pastoral work.’ The first church that he led began with 46 worshippers in the basement of their home. This was the church Peterson eventually led for 29 years, moving out of the basement and into their own building. 29 years of committing to a community, walking alongside them, telling them God’s story and being part of their stories. The pattern of his ministry says something about committing to a congregation long-term and challenges what some might see as the clerical career ladder. Who knows where any of us will be in 20 years’ time! But I hope that Peterson’s ministry compels me to continually search for God where I am now, rather than perpetually seeking him in seemingly greener pastures elsewhere.
Reviewed by Rev Imogen Ball
Associate Minister and PhD Student