A Good Work

by David Watson

Another book on the Eldership? Yes, but with a particular slant…the purpose being to encourage and enlighten young elders, actual and potential, in navigating church life. The brief was to openly reflect on the joys, privileges, heartaches, responsibilities, disappointments, frustrations, regrets and rewards of eldership.

Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Ethan McCarter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a while back, in mid-2024, but it wasn't on Goodreads yet since it was brand new and published by my own denomination's bookshop. If you've ever met David or have heard of him then you'll know he's quite the character. He's also honed the craft of eldership for many years by serving in the same congregation for decades. If you're looking for an in-depth, exegetical tome for the basis, distinctives, or a polemic for Presbyterian understandings of the office of ruling elder then this isn't the book you're looking for. That's not David's goal. You're better off getting Samuel Miller's big book on the ruling elder or looking at Bannerman's two volumes. However, if you want a light-hearted read about something of intense importance then David's book is a great read. When I read the book it felt like I was sitting at Costa chatting with him picking his brain. David isn't an academic or a forefront theologian, but he's one who's worked in the trenches for decades and has loads of wisdom from it. At times it's hard following his line of thought, he jumps around a lot, but he writes in an accessible style that's indicative of the man. If you're a ruling elder or know some who could use a "coffee shop" book that's styled like a conversation then it's a great book to peruse.