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Pastoral Graces: Reflections on the Care of Souls
Grace is the credential that lets us park close to people's hearts.When Christ calls a pastor He instills a kind of heightened instinct for grace; what we call a shepherd's heart. However, pastors often become disoriented by leadership demands, congregational expectation, and the wounds of ministry. They forget how to use the grace of Christ in the everyday work of pastoring. Through striking word pictures and stories that resonate with every pastor, this book will reinvigorate pastors' instincts for practicing grace in the churches they shepherd. Whether you are training to be a pastor and wondering if you are called, a seasoned shepherd needing encouragement and affirmation, or simply someone who wants to encourage your pastor, you will appreciate the sage wisdom and confirmation poured out in the pages of Pastoral Graces.
176 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2012
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63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 21, 2025
Sometimes books come at the right time. I needed this.
May 15, 2013
I so appreciated this book. Lee Eclov is a pastor who gives us a glimpse into his own heart and mind as he weaves stories of his experiences as a pastor into a book that calls pastors to lead with grace. He does not hide his own failings and weaknesses. He tells stories of when he has blown it and shares the truth about himself on attitudes that can hinder his doing the work as well as he otherwise might(e.g., defensiveness).
Pastors should put this book on their reading lists, but I believe others in the Church should read it, as well. Pastors do struggle with some things on a different level than other people do, and it would be good for the people in the pews and on church boards to gain some understanding on this. Yes, we are all sinners saved by grace and believers using our gifts for the good of the Body, but I have been in the pews and in the pulpit, and I know from personal experience that there is a very different battle that goes on for those in our pulpits. Lee does a good job of laying out this truth, and it would be good for every pastor's congregation to learn of these things.
The book is not very long and is a very easy read. I was so blessed by it that I called Lee Eclov (he pastors about a half-hour from me), and we are meeting tomorrow (as of this writing) for breakfast. I can't wait to sit down and talk with him about pastoral ministry and some of the issues I am facing.
Pastors should put this book on their reading lists, but I believe others in the Church should read it, as well. Pastors do struggle with some things on a different level than other people do, and it would be good for the people in the pews and on church boards to gain some understanding on this. Yes, we are all sinners saved by grace and believers using our gifts for the good of the Body, but I have been in the pews and in the pulpit, and I know from personal experience that there is a very different battle that goes on for those in our pulpits. Lee does a good job of laying out this truth, and it would be good for every pastor's congregation to learn of these things.
The book is not very long and is a very easy read. I was so blessed by it that I called Lee Eclov (he pastors about a half-hour from me), and we are meeting tomorrow (as of this writing) for breakfast. I can't wait to sit down and talk with him about pastoral ministry and some of the issues I am facing.
June 9, 2020
Fantastic book from the heart of a pastor for the heart of a pastor.
July 30, 2021
Grace is a Christian concept that is frequently referenced and yet often not deeply internalized for the Christian nor shared freely with others. Lee Eclov’s book Pastoral Graces addresses that issue. Eclov has a shepherd’s heart and so advocates the importance of sharing God’s grace with others as a way to demonstrate God’s grace intentionally with others throughout each day. He calls it having “pockets bulging with grace” which we share whenever there is an opportunity. He says, “proclaiming grace always starts with the good news of redemption and resurrection. But grace has so much more to tell the redeemed. Gracious words, not always spoken aloud, cancel debts and bandage hearts. Gracious words open cell doors and tell people that their long dark wait has turned into the Lord’s New Year’s Day.” (Lee Eclov Pastoral Graces, Moody, 2012, p,28) . The book is about how to bring soul care and well being to others in Jesus name. From that perspective he describes the five traits of a grace-blessed soul from Psalm 103:1+2 and says a person who is attending to others’ soul care reminds people of these benefits for their soul: “Helping God’s people lay hold of all these benefits is the work of soul care. I suspect that every need of the harassed and helpless heart is addressed by these five gifts of God’s grace in Christ” (pp.101-102). Eclov is clear that Jesus Christ is central to a person’s well-being:“Jesus is our manna, our living grace, the bread of heaven., P.131, and stresses that “ When Jesus meets the desires of our hearts for love and safety, for meaning here and a home with Him forever; when He gives us a family in the church and help in our prayers – when He satisfies all these desires – we are renewed inwardly. It is as if we drink from a fountain of youth” (p. 108). He is also clear that a Christian’s nourishment in grace comes from other Christians and from active participation in all the aspects of corporate worship and Body Life. This book provides a deep well that all Christians should draw from to become real grace-givers to others.
May 27, 2020
I lost count of the number of times I teared as I made my way through this book. It is a honest and beautiful testimony of the grace of God at work in the life of a pastor, strengthening and empowering him in the work of shepherding his sheep. Every pastor should read this - aspiring ones, discouraged ones, and especially those wanting to throw in the towel. God’s grace is truly sufficient to sustain those he has called into the ministry.
March 4, 2018
I was asked to read this book as "continuing ed" for my role of pastoral care deacon at my church. While it was lovely, it felt more like a read for an actual pastor as opposed to someone like me. The practical applications for a layperson were few and far between, unfortunately.
January 9, 2019
I really, really enjoyed this book. It has very good and helpful pastoral insights, which are dotted with this author's experiences. He is a seasoned pastor who has learned how to receive and dispense God's grace. As a pastor myself, I was both encouraged and challenged.
April 19, 2021
Loved this book. So easy and delightful to read. Refreshing and therapeutic for pastors. One thing I love about Lee is that he unashamedly loves being a pastor. I will have to read this again, periodically, over the years.
April 5, 2023
Such an encouraging book for any pastor (beginning, veteran or retired)!! Lee (the author) rekindled the shepherd / pastor fire within me to love God’s precious flock and reminded me of God’s marvelous grace to persevere.
May 15, 2024
Prolly closer to a 3.5 but I couldn’t bring myself to give it 3 stars. Some beautiful stories and some hard ones. Might revisit some time from now, but I found Hansen’s “Art of Pastoring” to resonate more.
August 11, 2025
This book is by a pastor for pastors. It is one of the rare books that fills your soul and helps you see the beauty of the gospel in pastoral work. I would have tossed this book in seminary, but after years in ministry, I find it so refreshing and needed.
January 4, 2018
Any one with a shepherds heart will benefit reading this book. Many excellent ideas
January 27, 2021
Lee Eclov writes with grace as he reflects on what it looks like to be a pastor/minister.
May 24, 2024
Eclov has a way with words and helped me process some of the more difficult aspects of ministry life.
June 1, 2024
This guy gets it.
May 17, 2025
Eclov is so good. The reflection on the pastor entering Glory on page 170 is worth the price of the book.
February 10, 2014
About the Book:
Grace is the credential that lets us park close to people's hearts.When Christ calls a pastor He instills a kind of heightened instinct for grace; what we call a shepherd's heart. However, pastors often become disoriented by leadership demands, congregational expectation, and the wounds of ministry. They forget how to use the grace of Christ in the everyday work of pastoring.
Through striking word pictures and stories that resonate with every pastor, this book will reinvigorate pastors' instincts for practicing grace in the churches they shepherd. Whether you are training to be a pastor and wondering if you are called, a seasoned shepherd needing encouragement and affirmation, or simply someone who wants to encourage your pastor, you will appreciate the sage wisdom and confirmation poured out in the pages of Pastoral Graces.
About the Author:
LEE ECLOV is Senior Pastor of the Village Church of Lincolnshire (Evangelical Free) in the northern suburbs of Chicago where he has served since 1998. Previously, he served for 14 years as senior pastor of Chippewa Evangelical Free Church, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and for five years as an Assistant Pastor at North Suburban Evangelical Free Church, Deerfield, Illinois.
His columns on preaching and his sermons appear regularly at www.PreachingToday.com and he is a Contributing Editor of Leadership Journal. He has been an adjunct professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for over ten years, currently teaching pastoral counseling. Lee is a native of South Dakota and the product of a rural church. He and his wife Susan have been married for nearly 40 years and have one son, Anders.
My Review:
My husband has been attending an online Bible college for several years now in order to fulfill the calling that God has placed on his life. And while he has been attending school he has had so many questions that seminary just doesn't provide the answers to. So when I seen the opportunity to review this book, I jumped at the chance. Lee Eclov has offered amazing in sight to his own ministerial experience whether it is from the calling itself or from the pastorate perspective.
It takes a special kind of breed to be able to withstand leading folks that even though they need to be lead, they don't really listen to you. This book is all about that and so much more. It is also appreciating of the fact that many of Gods "Word Workers" go through many trials and doubt they can achieve the task that lay before them. But thankfully this book will help with that.
I plan on passing this book along to my husband so that he can draw from the authors experiences. I believe that all schooling ministers experience a lot of the same doubts. It is a very ebb and flow type of job--this calling. I can see first hand the struggles, especially if you feel the inadequacies that many individuals stepping into this role may feel. The author gives a very Biblical perspective that will be helpful to many in the act and role of shepherding the fold.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Moody Publishers.
Grace is the credential that lets us park close to people's hearts.When Christ calls a pastor He instills a kind of heightened instinct for grace; what we call a shepherd's heart. However, pastors often become disoriented by leadership demands, congregational expectation, and the wounds of ministry. They forget how to use the grace of Christ in the everyday work of pastoring.
Through striking word pictures and stories that resonate with every pastor, this book will reinvigorate pastors' instincts for practicing grace in the churches they shepherd. Whether you are training to be a pastor and wondering if you are called, a seasoned shepherd needing encouragement and affirmation, or simply someone who wants to encourage your pastor, you will appreciate the sage wisdom and confirmation poured out in the pages of Pastoral Graces.
About the Author:
LEE ECLOV is Senior Pastor of the Village Church of Lincolnshire (Evangelical Free) in the northern suburbs of Chicago where he has served since 1998. Previously, he served for 14 years as senior pastor of Chippewa Evangelical Free Church, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and for five years as an Assistant Pastor at North Suburban Evangelical Free Church, Deerfield, Illinois.
His columns on preaching and his sermons appear regularly at www.PreachingToday.com and he is a Contributing Editor of Leadership Journal. He has been an adjunct professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for over ten years, currently teaching pastoral counseling. Lee is a native of South Dakota and the product of a rural church. He and his wife Susan have been married for nearly 40 years and have one son, Anders.
My Review:
My husband has been attending an online Bible college for several years now in order to fulfill the calling that God has placed on his life. And while he has been attending school he has had so many questions that seminary just doesn't provide the answers to. So when I seen the opportunity to review this book, I jumped at the chance. Lee Eclov has offered amazing in sight to his own ministerial experience whether it is from the calling itself or from the pastorate perspective.
It takes a special kind of breed to be able to withstand leading folks that even though they need to be lead, they don't really listen to you. This book is all about that and so much more. It is also appreciating of the fact that many of Gods "Word Workers" go through many trials and doubt they can achieve the task that lay before them. But thankfully this book will help with that.
I plan on passing this book along to my husband so that he can draw from the authors experiences. I believe that all schooling ministers experience a lot of the same doubts. It is a very ebb and flow type of job--this calling. I can see first hand the struggles, especially if you feel the inadequacies that many individuals stepping into this role may feel. The author gives a very Biblical perspective that will be helpful to many in the act and role of shepherding the fold.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Moody Publishers.
May 7, 2012
Even though this book was meant to be read by pastors I think it is an excellent book for all church members to read as well. I enjoyed the personal examples and felt the author wrote this book with love in his heart towards pastors. It is a very uplifting book and will be an encouragement to everyone who works in the ministry.
As a church member reading this book will help you better understand all your pastor goes through each week to bring you the message you need from the pulpit. The author shows how pastors go through battles of their own every day. From learning to turn to God for all they need, to letting the Lord work in their own hearts a pastor goes through some of the same struggles we do.
After reading this book you will have a better understanding of how alone a pastor can feel. You will also have a better understanding of how to pray for your pastor. As a pastor reading this book, you will realize you are not alone and have some great principles to learn from and be encouraged by. I gave this book 5/5 stars because it was short, easy to read and a real eye opener of what pastor’s can encounter during their ministry.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.
As a church member reading this book will help you better understand all your pastor goes through each week to bring you the message you need from the pulpit. The author shows how pastors go through battles of their own every day. From learning to turn to God for all they need, to letting the Lord work in their own hearts a pastor goes through some of the same struggles we do.
After reading this book you will have a better understanding of how alone a pastor can feel. You will also have a better understanding of how to pray for your pastor. As a pastor reading this book, you will realize you are not alone and have some great principles to learn from and be encouraged by. I gave this book 5/5 stars because it was short, easy to read and a real eye opener of what pastor’s can encounter during their ministry.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.
June 30, 2013
A fresh, cool breeze to my heart! Refreshing water to my soul! My new "go to" book as a gift or recommendation for fellow shepherds.
Clearly Lee "gets it" when it comes to pastoral ministry. With grace--much grace--he ambles his way purposefully through the field of souls and reflects deeply, personally and passionately upon the graces that come to and flow through the life of a shepherd.
Clearly Lee "gets it" when it comes to pastoral ministry. With grace--much grace--he ambles his way purposefully through the field of souls and reflects deeply, personally and passionately upon the graces that come to and flow through the life of a shepherd.
January 3, 2014
I picked this up because of a good review here on Goodreads, so thanks to whomever that was (Adam Tisdale, was that you?). Lots of humble, simple and sometimes very convicting advice for how to care better for people. Best take-away (paraphrase): Always be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.
November 8, 2014
Of the few books I've read this year on pastoring, this one was certainly the best. He manages to both avoid the how-to and yet be immensely practical. He basically acts, how can you channel God's grace to have the attitude necessary to be a caring pastor? He models what it means to be a man of God with supreme humility and boldness (another rare combination).
August 21, 2013
Decent.
Nothing in here really wowed me, but it was a refreshing read, intended as such for weary pastors, the back cover said.
The emphasis on ministering grace and being a "wordworker" was really good.
Nothing in here really wowed me, but it was a refreshing read, intended as such for weary pastors, the back cover said.
The emphasis on ministering grace and being a "wordworker" was really good.
November 1, 2014
A really good book that tended my soul this week!
August 26, 2013
I'm giving this book to the guys I'm mentoring who are studying to be pastors. It's full of stories and great insight into the joys and challenges of shepherding, not simply of leading.
August 15, 2014
Very good. Nice to read a book on Pastoral ministry not from a mega church pastor and hits on some things beyond vision and church growth. So helpful and encouraging.
December 7, 2014
Not written for chaplains or seasoned pastoral; it is more of a memoir of the authors spiritual experience in ministry. He is clearly evangelical.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews