Memoires d'un pasteur ordinaire: La vie et les reflexions de Tom Carson

by D.A. Carson

Pourrait-il y avoir meilleure histoire pour encourager les pasteurs que celle racontee par un esprit impregne de la Bible (celui de Don) au sujet d'une vie impregnee de la Bible (celle de Tom)? Cet "esprit" s'y applique avec beaucoup d'amour parce que la "vie" en question est celle de son pere, et tout cela avec une bonne dose de creativite dans la narration. Constatez le resultat. John Piper, enseignant et fondateur de Desiring God Ce livre est un cadeau rare et precieux de la part d'un des plus grandes erudit du mouvement evangelique. Le Dr Carson est tres genereux de nous leguer ainsi l'heritage discret de son pere. C.J. Mahaney, Sovereign Grace Ministries Le Dr Carson frappe au c ur de ce qui ne va pas chez nous lorsque nous oublions, en tant que serviteurs, que nous avons ete crees pour vivre simplement sous l'Evangile de la grace. Lisez ce livre. Vous en serez grandement encourage dans votre vie et votre ministere. Michel Lemaire, pasteur de l'Eglise Baptiste de la Foi, Drummondville, 1884-2005 Ce temoignage personnel est un sain rappel des priorites celestes dans l'exercice de notre ministere pastoral et de tout service chretien. Pierre Constant, pasteur adjoint de l'Eglise Baptiste Montclair de Hull, 1982-1997; professeur en Etudes neo-testamentaire, Toronto Baptist Seminary Lisez ce livre et soyez fortifie. Vous avez entre les mains un melange d'histoire, d'humour et une admirable sagesse pour la vie chretienne (et de la sagesse particulierement pour les pasteurs!). Mark Dever, pasteur, Capitol Hill Baptist Church

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction, Leadership, Memoir, History, Church History

198 pages, Paperback

First published February 29, 2008

About the author

Donald A. Carson is research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He has been at Trinity since 1978. Carson came to Trinity from the faculty of Northwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he also served for two years as academic dean. He has served as assistant pastor and pastor and has done itinerant ministry in Canada and the United Kingdom. Carson received the Bachelor of Science in chemistry from McGill University, the Master of Divinity from Central Baptist Seminary in Toronto, and the Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament from the University of Cambridge. Carson is an active guest lecturer in academic and church settings around the world. He has written or edited about sixty books. He is a founding member and currently president of The Gospel Coalition. Carson and his wife, Joy, reside in Libertyville, Illinois. They have two adult children.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is destined to be a classic, especially among pastors. I would say that you ought to drop whatever you're reading, grab this 160-page book and read it with pen in hand. It's that good.

The last 30 pages were read with longing and desire to live a life worthy of the calling I've received. So many of us are focused on the "big names" in evangelicalism (which of course would include the author of this book!) and we get discouraged or intimidated by massive ministries that God is blessing and that are cranking out conferences, seminars, books, blogs, etc. Tom Carson served God faithfully for decades and was clearly a sinner and struggled with many things. But his dedication, his perseverance and his devotion to his wife are stirring, motivating and challenging.

I'll be returning to this book again and again and suggesting it to pastors, future pastors, former pastors, elders, and church members, for their edification.

[Glenn Wishnew III · Rating 5 out of 5]

“He was not very good at putting people down, except on his prayer lists.

When he died, there were no crowds outside the hospital, no editorial comments in the papers, no announcements on television, no mention in Parliament, no attention paid by the nation. In his hospital room there was no one by his bedside. There was only the quiet hiss of oxygen, vainly venting because he had stopped breathing and would never need it again.

But on the other side all the trumpets sounded. Dad won entrance into the only throne room that matters, not because he was a good man or a great man — he was, after all a most ordinary pastor — but because he was a forgiven man. And he heard the voice of him whom he longed to hear saying “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.”

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tremendously beneficial book for anyone in ministry. I believe our aim ought to be to be “ordinary” like Tom. Tom was a faithful, dedicated servant to the end of his days. Though never flashy or known widely beyond his circles Tom had a significant impact on people’s lives and was well loved by those to whom he ministered.

[Brian Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chock full of wise pastoral advice and warnings. An inspiring account that will persuade you to aspire to be an "ordinary pastor"... a great goal for any pastor.

[Zach Barnhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

An encouragement to the pastor who faces weariness and insignificance in his ministry (which, in reality, is any ordinary pastor).

[J. J.]

This book moved me deeply. I wept as I read. God grant us great grace to finish half as well as Tom Carson.

[Josh John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to cry, laugh, and be so deeply helped and challenged by this book. It may be the memoirs of an “ordinary” pastor, but what unfolds is a remarkable weaving of extraordinary grace in the ordinary patterns of Tom Carson’s life. What an edifying read.

In a world where young men—especially hopeful ministry leaders—are so often called to chase success measured by platform, numbers, or recognition, this work gently redirects these misguided aspirations. It encourages me to pray and pursue the ordinary—to long for faithfulness over fame and depth of devotion over display and recognition.

I’ll be recommending it to others in the future and reflecting on the meaningful lessons found in every chapter.

Carson ends with a line that powerfully sums up both the pastor and the point of the book:

“But on the other side all the trumpets sounded. Dad won entrance to the only throne room that matters, not because he was a good man or a great man—he was, after all, a most ordinary pastor—but because he was a forgiven man. And he heard the voice of him whom he longed to hear saying, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.’”

[Henry Holmberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily the most impactful book of the year so far. I cried hard through much of it. Faithfulness is what God expects of his ministers. Praise God and God Help Us.

[Jake Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one will produce a few tears especially if you are in pastoral ministry. All of us in ministry know the weights and burdens Tom Carson carried as a pastor. While the British throne didn’t know who Tom Carson was, the Eternal Throne did. I regret having this book on my shelf for a few years before reading it. It’ll be one I return to. Pick it up and read! Laugh and cry as D.A. Carson sketches out the ministry of his father.

[David J. Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reading, especially for aspiring ministers who may have, albeit subconsciously, gathered their images around the notion of “success” from celebrity church culture and know too few normal pastors.

[Collin Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about an ordinary faithful pastor with an ordinary life of ministry. Carson did well to narrate the life of his father and this book would be a benefit to all who read it, pastor or not.

I could not help but fix the face of my father in law on Tom Carson as I read this. There are a crazy amount of similarities between these two men and in their ministry. I have gotten a beautiful glimpse into the life of an ordinary pastor here at baker heights and a volume similar to this could be written about him with subsequent glories.

My prayer after reading this:

Father thank you for ordinary faithful pastors— make me one

[Dale Huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book for pastors who feel like they can never be enough.
I wept.

[Brian Pate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don Carson's provides a moving tribute to his father, Tom Carson, and his extraordinary faithfulness in ordinary ministries. Don is honest about his father's struggles with depression, loneliness, and caring for his wife with Alzheimer's. But he also shares the fruit of his ministry: patience with with his wife, love for his children, faithfulness to the Lord, and countless people he influenced throughout his life. (Although not mentioned in the book, one of Tom's great contributions to the church is Don -- and all God has done through him.)

I read this with our pastoral interns in Brazil.

[Nick Wills · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book 6 stars I would. D.A Carson gives a very intimate and edifying account of his dad’s life, including the good and the ugly. It shows so well the immense value of ordinary faithfulness and integrity.

[Leandro Dutra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a precious book, not only for other ordinary pastors but for all who may think being ordinary Christians may not be enough. Shows how fruitful can be a small life, even if lacking confidence.

[Katie Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to give it four stars, but then I thought y'know, it was wholesome and encouraging, and it made me cry, so what more could I ask, really.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having spent some time in vocational ministry and having grown up the son of a man in vocational ministry, this book was haunting and beautiful. Tom Carson was an ordinary pastor with an extraordinary work ethic. He did carpentry for the baptistery, hand-wrote or typed thousands of letters, prepared sermons, visited the sick, did pastoral and pre-marital counseling, did not feel neglected by his children, took care of his wife in her waning years with Alzheimer's, and much more.

The hardest parts to read were either the wrongful holding of funds from the Union for the church planting work in Drummondville or Tom's wrestlings with self-doubt, self-deprecation, and fear of laziness. For a man who poured out so much into the lives of others, it was hard to see him not give himself grace.

Favorite Quotes:

"His prayer life is a challenge and rebuke to most of us" (30).

"On at least one occasion Tom traveled the 280 miles from Toronto to Ottawa for a visit home by riding his bicycle: it took him three days, and he slept in barns along the way" (30).

"Mom mentioned to me how interested I can appear when the topic is important to me, but how I obviously tuned out my friend when she spoke of things that mattered to her but that I didn't care about. Although I resented her analysis at the time, I soon took a second look at what she said and realized that it was all too true. The memory of those words has helped me greatly over the years when I see myself reverting to this un-Christlike behavior" (32).

"He who would have friends must show himself friendly. At the next meeting, before you go into a sulk, look around for the loneliest person in the room, and go and find out everything you can about that person. Then find the next loneliest person, and do it again." (33).

"Our four years of experience trying to cover the huge area of greater Montreal has convinced us of the necessity of concentrating our efforts on a given centre in order to do French work most effectively" (50).

"Help me, Lord, to put away everything that does not contribute to living for Jesus" (81).

"So little time properly to prepare, but God is with me" (88).

"So many aspects of ministry demand excellence, and there are not enough hours in the day to be excellent in all of them... It is rare for me to finish a sermon without feeling somewhere between slightly discouraged and moderately depressed that I have not preached with more unction, that I have not articulated these glorious truths more powerfully and with greater insight, and so forth. But I cannot allow that to drive me to despair; rather, it must drive me to a greater grasp of the simple and profound truth that we preach and visit and serve under the gospel of grace, and God accepts us because of his Son... The ministry is so open-ended that one never feels that all possible work has been done, or done as well as one might like. There are always more people to visit, more studying to be done, more preparation to do. What Christians must do, what Christian leaders must do, is constantly remember that we serve our God and Maker and Redeemer under the gospel of grace. Dad's diaries show that he understood this truth in theory... but quite frankly, his sense of failure sometimes blinded him to the glory of gospel freedom" (93).

"Work hard, and play hard, but never confuse the two" (93).

"The brute fact is that Tom functioned better as a number-two pastor than the senior man" (116).

[Taylor White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had such a slow start on this book….lots of random details but I think that’s kinda the point. Tom’s story is simply an example of faithfulness and a testimony to the goodness of God.

Loved this: “He was not very good at putting people down, except on his prayer lists.”

[Joey Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the last paragraph:

“Tom Carson never rose very far in denominational structures, but hundreds of people testify how much he loved them. He never wrote a book, but he loved the Book. He was never wealthy or powerful, but he kept growing as a Christian: yesterday‘s grace was never enough. He was not a farsighted visionary, but he looked forward to eternity. … His journals have many, many entries bathed in tears of contrition, but his children and grandchildren remember his laughter. He much preferred to avoid controversy than to stir things up, but his own commitments to historic confessionalism were unyielding.”

[Caroline McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today, many young Christians feel external pressure to do something big or radical to make their life count for the Kingdom. Don Carson’s biography of his dad is motivation for the opposite. It’s a beautiful testimony of ordinary faithfulness, perseverance, and humility in ministry through the many ups and downs of life - all pointing to the sustaining grace and love of God.

[Ryan Hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give the book—certainly not the man, Tom Carson—three stars. The man was exceptional. He worked extremely hard, was humble in Christ, and loved deeply his family and Lord. Moreover, his example of consistent, life-long service to Christ and others is admirable and imitable. His life was God-glorifying and beautiful.

So why only three stars? Again, not because Tom Carson isn’t worthy of honor; he is. But because I was a bit disappointed in reading the book, and especially in the idea that Tom was an “ordinary pastor.”

First, concerning the reading of the book. I love D.A. Carson as a teacher, theologian, writer, and commentator. Yet this book was a bit too detailed at times, very slow, and honestly boring to read. Now, I admit, I don’t usually love biographies, so that made this hard from the get-go for me. But still, with all the details, it felt like the book was more written toward people who knew Tom or who were interested in the situation in Quebec, instead of being written to a broad audience. And again, it bogged it down.

Second, concerning the idea of Tom being an ordinary pastor, I just don’t see that at all! Carson had some good applications from Tom’s life to “ordinary pastors,” but in realty, I think Tom Carson was far from ordinary. Some examples of why include: He was bilingual and that had a huge impact on his ministry; he worked a ridiculous amount of hours, often so many that I was shocked (and as Don admitted, it was frequently a detriment); and he wasn’t consistently on staff at a church, but often did loads of ministry without pay. (And all that doesn’t even mention that one of his sons also became one of the world’s top Bible scholars!)

I don’t think these take away from Don’s life; far from it, they add to his imitability! It’s merely that if someone, say an actual ordinary pastor, were to pick up this book for encouragement, I think they may find it not encouraging as they expected. Stirring? Absolutely. Challenging to their lack of fervor for the Lord? For sure. But encouraging in their ordinariness? I doubt it.

So he’s an exemplary man. But the book is not the best read, and not what I expected.

[Kirby Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

“he was not very good at putting people down, expect on his prayer lists.”

may God raise up many more faithful, ordinary pastors like Tom Carson

…
read this again for DeYoung’s Pastoral Ministry class. I’d like to revisit the life of Tom Carson at least once per decade of however long God grants me service in Christian ministry

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wonderful! Such a moving account of a faithful pastor ministering under the radar in difficult circumstances. Much needed in the age of celebrity pastors and ministries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hgr9...

[Jesse Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful biographies I’ve read! After finishing this book, I realized there’s nothing ordinary about Tom Carson’s life. While he lived as an ordinary pastor—never publishing a book or academic paper, never pastoring a large congregation, and never receiving widespread recognition—his commitment to daily faithfulness is extraordinarily inspiring. His life wasn’t perfect. He had seasons when he missed journaling, struggled with church administration, and found it difficult to ask for and receive help from others, especially in his final years. Yet, the way he faithfully endured in ministry, despite numerous challenges—cultural and language barriers, financial struggles, slow conversions, his wife’s illness, and lack of pastoral support—is truly remarkable. D.A. Carson does an excellent job honoring his father’s legacy, shedding light on even the most unseen aspects of his life, such as his personal meditations and journals.

Tom Carson fought to keep his mind focused on the Savior and remained faithful to the Word, showing tenderness toward both his flock and his family. His unwavering commitment to love and care for his wife until her final day is a beautiful testament to his deep love and faithfulness.

One of the most heart-wrenching moments in the book was Tom Carson’s death. After all his years of service as a vocational and non-vocational pastor, father, husband, and friend, he died in his hospital bed, alone, suffering from illness. I couldn’t help but think how this scene felt symbolic. This is sometimes the reality for pastors—loneliness is real, and despite how much they pour into others, they may not always receive much in return. Who can track the internal struggles of a pastor as he endures day after day, week after week, and year after year? He studies and teaches the Word faithfully, loves the flock with Christ’s heart—even when it’s difficult—and strives to maintain hope even in the midst of discouragement, criticism, comparison, and feelings of inadequacy. The Apostle Paul, too, experienced desertion by fellow workers. Most of all, our Lord Jesus Christ endured betrayal and abandonment like no one else. Our commitment to follow Him in ministry will inevitably lead us to face similar struggles.

Yet, do we truly believe that the rewards awaiting us in heaven will far outweigh the treasures of this earth? Do we trust that meeting Christ will completely wipe away the pains of this world and satisfy our souls? Do we accept that our names may be forgotten, even in sin, but Christ’s name will never be forgotten through our faithful ministry?

After finishing this book, who could see such clear evidence of grace in Tom Carson’s life and still call it ordinary? Brother pastors, there is nothing ordinary in your daily, seemingly mundane ministry. Perhaps the letter to the Ephesians reminds us of the importance of cherishing the gospel and enduring through the ordinary moments of our lives.

What a powerful testament to God’s faithfulness in the mundane and the unseen. This book serves as a great encouragement and reminder that our good Lord faithfully raises and sustains shepherds who resemble Him well, even when we feel alone and struggle to find fellow gospel workers.

[Aaron Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

“Tom Carson never rose very far in denominational structures, but hundreds of people in the Outaouais and beyond testify how much he loved them. He never wrote a book, but he loved the Book. He was never wealthy or powerful, but he kept growing as a Christian: yesterday’s grace was never enough. He was not a far sighted visionary, but he looked forward to eternity... His journals have many, many entries bathed in tears of contrition, but his children and grandchildren remember his laughter. Only rarely did he break through his pattern of reserve and speak deeply and intimately with his children, but he modeled Christian virtues to them…He was not very good at putting people down, except on his prayer lists.
When he died, there were no crowds outside the hospital, no editorial comments in the papers, no announcements on television, no mention in Parliament, no attention paid by the nation. In his hospital room there was no one by his bedside. There was only the quiet hiss of oxygen, vainly venting because he had stopped breathing and would never need it again.
But on the other side all the trumpets sounded. Dad won entrance to the only throne room that matters, not because he was a good man or a great man—he was, after all, a most ordinary pastor—but because he was a forgiven man. And he heard the voice of him whom he longed to hear saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.” (147)

[Stephen Angliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the hardest books on pastoral ministry I’ve ever read—and one of the best. Every pastor and pastor’s kid should read it. D.A. Carson’s biography on his father features biblical reflections on the struggles and successes of his dad’s ministry, plus extensive quotes from his dad’s private journals

Beyond that—frankly—I struggle to share more. It’s simply too hard. This is a touching work. I’ll end with this paragraph Don Carson writes about Tom Carson, the ordinary pastor:

“When he died, there were no crowds outside the hospital, no editorial comments in the papers, no announcements on television, no mention in Parliament, no attention paid by the nation. In his hospital room there was no one by his bedside. There was only the quiet hiss of oxygen, vainly venting because he had stopped breathing and would never need it again.
But on the other side all the trumpets sounded. Dad won entrance to the only throne room that matters, not because he was a good man or a great man—he was, after all, a most ordinary pastor—but because he was a forgiven man. And he heard the voice of him whom he longed to hear saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.”

[Michaël St-Amour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certainement, un excellent livre.
Non seulement il est bien écrit et intrigant, mais il relève aussi une partie intéressante de l'histoire du Québec, c'est-à-dire le déclin de l'empire du catholicisme romain et l'introduction progressive du protestantisme, notamment par les missions des cercles baptistes, dont Tom Carson faisait partie.
Mais au-delà de l'histoire, et c'est la partie que j'aimerais mettre en évidence, Don Carson nous fait entrer dans l'intimité d'un pasteur qui vit, comme plusieurs autres, des hauts et des bas dans son ministère.
On a parfois tendance à idéaliser nos pasteurs, les pensants si spirituellement solide qu'ils ne peuvent être enclins à des moments de détresse ou de faiblesse spirituelle. Ce livre vient casser ce mythe, et c'est bon.

[Rebekah Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heart-warming book and a real challenge to strive to be faithful to God in everyday ministry work. Tom’s humility and genuine heart for God and others are an inspiration. The last few chapters were particularly moving and I love Don’s closing lines, “When he died there were no crowds outside the hospital, no editorial comments in the papers, no announcements on television, no announcement in Parliament, no attention paid by the nation...But on the other side all the trumpets sounded. Dad had won entrance to the only throne room that matters, not because he was a good man or a great man- he was, after all a most ordinary pastor- but because he was a forgiven man.” What an encouragement

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshingly quotidian hagiography. Carson admires his dad but does not shy away from mentioning his flaws (mainly his self-degradation). My favorite part of the book was Carson's takeaways from his father's life (92-96). I wish Carson had replaced some of the minutia of his dad's life with more of his pastoral wisdom we could glean from. But I guess that's part of the beauty of this book: his dad did not experience much success in ministry but was extraordinary faithful and true, especially in his hours spent in prayer. The book is worth reading for the heart-wrenching yet glorious account of his parents' marriage, but it is also a treasure-trove of inspiration for pastors.

[Jaxon Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW

Highlight: The emotional connection.

This book was emotionally gripping at points. It was a very sweet book, full of great lessons, but more than that deeply encouraging. In the discouragement of Tom Carson throughout his life and ministry, I seemed to be encouraged as a reader. I was encouraged by Toms utter dependence and the Lord and his unfettering knowledge of his own shortcomings.

This book is sweet and encouraging, but also brings some great theological reflections and a compelling narrative.

Very short book. I highly recommend.