The Lutheran Pastor

by G.H. Gerberding

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Genres: Theology

464 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Adam Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gerberding's Confessional Lutheran guide to pastoral ministry from 1902. The basics are all here and I truly appreciated the opening chapters which was distinguishing between the external and internal call. When considering the ministry myself, there was a feeling of lacking confirmation of a calling to it (knowing I needed to go to seminary, not necessarily entering a parish). Gerberding confirmed that the internal call is not the significant part of the call of the pastor but the external call, where a congregation reaches out to a ministerial candidate, is what makes the pastoral office. I found I did disagree with him on minor issues, though. And Gerberding is guilty of the standard faux pas present in pastoral textbooks prior to the 1990s which is: make the pastor responsible for everything. That is, the pastor must: spend hours upon hours preparing for a sermon per week, have several hours squared away for study per day, be visiting parishioners all afternoon, take part in managing all organizations (boards, committees, school, etc.), be the ambassador from the congregation to various secular and religious bodies, etc. The issue is that these sorts of expectations means the pastor has no waking hour away from work, which has led to burnout among clergy. Taking Gerberding in moderation is good.

[Omar Moreno · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 3 star review means that this work is definitely worth reading and I would recommend it to anyone who is already interested in either the topic or the author.

By reading this work, you will understand why the Lutheran Church understands the role of the Pastor as a calling and not merely a job at a church. This book makes clear that the work of the Pastor is of the utmost importance. The work outlines the role of the pastor in the church, in the lives of his flock, before his community, and before God, most importantly. By reading this work, you will come to understand what the Lutheran Church expects the Pastor to be, and should allow you to examine yourself as you contemplate your inner and external calling. For the laity, this should serve also as a way to better appreciate everything that your Pastor does in leading you and your brothers and sisters in Christ.

[Jonathan Teo Zin Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very engaging book that tackles the office of the ministry holistically. I disagree with his arguments on why weekly communion isn't always a good thing, but he makes a more reasonable case than most.

[David Mcelroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Timeless advice for those in the ministry, anticipating a career in the ministry or finding a better appreciation of the pastors in their church.