The Pastor's Justification by Jared Wilson

GENRE: BOOKS, NON-FICTION, CHRISTIAN LIVING
PUBLISHER: CROSSWAY PUBLISHERS
RELEASE DATE: JULY, 31, 2013

I am not a pastor. I have no desire to be a pastor. So what was the motivation behind me reading Jared Wilson’s latest book, The Pastor’s Justification? Well, for starters, I enjoy the writings of Wilson. I have read Gospel Wakefulness as well as Gospel Deeps and enjoyed them both very much. His writing style is casual, as if talking with a friend, yet has a theological meatiness to it that stirs my soul for the LORD.

The other motivation behind reading this book was my strange infatuation with what it looks like to lead a church. And The Pastor’s Justification did just that. It peeled back the curtain and let me get a behind-the-scenes look at the pastor’s life.

I had no idea how demanding it is to be a pastor. I always knew it was a busy job, but like most church members, I have been too focused on myself. To think that they have to deal with the normal trials and growing pains of the Christian life and then help shepherd others deal with theirs sounds overwhelming. I have a newfound respect for the daunting task of my own elders after reading this book.

I especially loved the personal stories Jared Wilson tells of his experiences of being a pastor. He does not hold back with his own failures and struggles. These stories felt like they were coming from a place of sincerity and honesty rather than a false humility. They also helped to put some meat on the bones, so-to-speak, of the points Wilson was making.

This book seemed less about pragmatic steps to being a better pastor or tips on growing your church, and more about refocusing the pastor on the goal and means of pastoring. Though The Pastor’s Justification is definitely directed towards pastors, I believe it would be beneficial for all church members to read it. Some of the topics are pastor specific while other topics would benefit the layman. Definitely (and strangely) one of my favorite books of the year.

I received this book for free from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.