The work of ministry is rapidly changing along with our culture. Eugene Peterson sensed the influence of business models, marketing, and gimmick on the church late in the last century. He takes us on a walk to consider our roles as Pastors and how we remain faithful to shepherding souls and teaching them to center on God. This book is an outstanding primer for any one considering the ministry, but would do every pastor good to reflectively take this journey with Peterson every other year if not every year. He is reminding us and calling us to remain faithful to the call to Direct souls to God! ( )

this book is about the life of a pastor. Pastors can become so busy with people that they neglect the life of prayer, Bible study, meditation and listening.
Pastors get caught up in running a church that the time for growth in order to keep fresh become squeezed out.
Each chapter begins with a beatittude.
This book is not about what happes on Sunday, but one thing the author does discuss is what happens on the week days. This is the preparation time for Sunday.
The end of the book encourages a Sabbathical time for the pastor. For a pastor who stays in one church for a long period of time, this is necessary.