Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor: The Life and Reflections of Tom Carson

by D. A. Carson

Genres: Biography, Audiobook

176 pages, Paperback

Published September 9, 2025

Reviews

[Bradford Hoffman]

I found this book to be a great source of encouragement. Much can be learned from Tom Carson, an ordinary pastor to French Canada.

“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.”

[Matthew Tam]

What a balm for the soul. These memoirs are full of attention to detail, heartwarming memories, bittersweet moments, and the difficulty of despond. What is unpacked here is a man's faithful commitment to the Lord in light of all the bitter circumstances that come his way. However, the book recounts many joyful occasions and fun quips that remind you of someone both jealous for the glory of God and tenderhearted to all.

Keeps you on the back of your seat and will make your heart rejoice in the midst of tears.

[Andrew McCartney]

A hidden gem from D.A. Carson. He tells the life story of his parents (and in turn some of his own story) with the focus on his dad as a pastor-missionary in French speaking Canada from the late 1940's thru the early 1990's. From Tom Carson's personal diaries, we see a faithful pastor pour his life into being a shepherd and an evangelist in a difficult time and place for evangelical outreach. Progress was slow for many years and the diary entries along with D.A's observations give insight into the reality of an everyday pastor, husband, father and friend. An engaging, challenging and encouraging book written in a personal style you may not expect from D.A. Carson.

[Jeff Breeding]

Splendid. Oh for more ordinary pastors!

[James Oaks]

There are a few books that come into your life at just the right time and this is one of those books. I just want to be a faithfully ordinary pastor.

[Brittany Rosentreter]

A wonderful tribute to a faithful pastor.

[Seth]

Every church member (and pastor) should read.

[James Brixey]

strong contender for book of the year, this is truly outstanding and deeply moving

[David King]

This is an extraordinary book and I needed it

[Nick Lees]

A short, but meaningful read/listen. I was drawn to this memoir because I view myself as an ordinary pastor. I am encouraged and spurred on by Tom Carson's example. Well done faithful servant.

[Paul]

An incredible summary of the life of an ordinary pastor in the difficult ground of 20th Century French Canada.