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The Pastor: A Crisis
Crisis! An explosive public meltdown. A violent incident in the psychiatric ward. Now the Pastor stares into the abyss of his own secret shame. Before he can be free, he must confront his demons and find grace. But will he let go? Will he allow himself to be healed? The Pastor explores the perilous human journey from self-will and striving through defeat and despair to hope and the redemption found only through surrender. Trigger Mature Themes
- GenresFiction
Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 6, 2020
Hard to Review
This book is tough to review. The final chapters were incredible but the first chunk of the book was difficult to read. The authors spent so much time with the negative parts of the pastor’s story and while addressing them somewhat after he hits rock bottom it still seemed to leave me wanting. I’m sure others may have a very different opinion of this book but it leaves me torn. It’s almost too dark for me to recommend to just anyone, sadly.
This book is tough to review. The final chapters were incredible but the first chunk of the book was difficult to read. The authors spent so much time with the negative parts of the pastor’s story and while addressing them somewhat after he hits rock bottom it still seemed to leave me wanting. I’m sure others may have a very different opinion of this book but it leaves me torn. It’s almost too dark for me to recommend to just anyone, sadly.
September 10, 2024
Oof. Mature themes are right!
August 28, 2020
It will blow you head! It blow mine and i like to brag that i am really open about certain topics! I loved it! Loved it!
January 15, 2021
I read this book back last year on its first day of publication, but have hesitated until now to write about it. The saddest thing about this book is that it needed to be written. It is so very different to anything that either Brad Jersak or Paul Young have written in the past, yet this departure makes it a compelling, though difficult read.
I've come out of a church where sexual, spiritual and financial abuse were rife and can relate to the events described. I'm fortunate that I didn't physically commit the abuse that's highlighted, but in my fantasies I know that I'm guilty. Reading this book has helped me realise the import of that and to seek cleansing and forgiveness.
Ultimately, it's a story about consequences - of sin, inventiveness and forgiveness, both from the victim and God.
I highly recommend praying before, during and after reading this book, but to still read it.
Thank you Brad and Paul for the courage you've shown in writing and publishing this book.
I've come out of a church where sexual, spiritual and financial abuse were rife and can relate to the events described. I'm fortunate that I didn't physically commit the abuse that's highlighted, but in my fantasies I know that I'm guilty. Reading this book has helped me realise the import of that and to seek cleansing and forgiveness.
Ultimately, it's a story about consequences - of sin, inventiveness and forgiveness, both from the victim and God.
I highly recommend praying before, during and after reading this book, but to still read it.
Thank you Brad and Paul for the courage you've shown in writing and publishing this book.
September 3, 2020
I gave this five stars, and I believe it deserves it.
But...
But that doesn't alter the fact that it sometimes felt like having your teeth pulled without anaesthetics, and then the finger and toe nails.
But it's really the kind of pain of hearing truths that we do not want to hear. Of hearing things revealed that we know to be true, and yet that we are afraid of.
I finished this book and, grown man that I am, wept. Not in sorrow for myself. Not because I identify with the pastor of the story. But because I have seen one cruelty so often, and sadly so often in the church. The cruelty of abuse, and the abuse caused by the masks we wear. The abuse caused by wanting to look right, by wanting to be better and other.
Sadly, I think there will be those in the church who will reject this book because of the use of bad language and sexual themes. They will focus on that and thereby miss the whole point.
The point is reality.
The reality of who we are and how we really feel and hurt, and how we really hurt others. The language is what we say in our heads but not out loud because of fear of what others may think. Because we live in unreality.
But there is one great reality that overcomes our unreality. And that is love. And love never fails.
But...
But that doesn't alter the fact that it sometimes felt like having your teeth pulled without anaesthetics, and then the finger and toe nails.
But it's really the kind of pain of hearing truths that we do not want to hear. Of hearing things revealed that we know to be true, and yet that we are afraid of.
I finished this book and, grown man that I am, wept. Not in sorrow for myself. Not because I identify with the pastor of the story. But because I have seen one cruelty so often, and sadly so often in the church. The cruelty of abuse, and the abuse caused by the masks we wear. The abuse caused by wanting to look right, by wanting to be better and other.
Sadly, I think there will be those in the church who will reject this book because of the use of bad language and sexual themes. They will focus on that and thereby miss the whole point.
The point is reality.
The reality of who we are and how we really feel and hurt, and how we really hurt others. The language is what we say in our heads but not out loud because of fear of what others may think. Because we live in unreality.
But there is one great reality that overcomes our unreality. And that is love. And love never fails.
December 31, 2020
An easy read that can be completed in one sitting.
At the start, the story has the makings of something relatively fresh, however midway through, it fails to delve as deeply into it's abstract themes as similar titles do. I.e. "The Shack", or "Eve",
It instead keeps us wading in the shallows to tell us a story we've heard many times already amongst various cliche heavy mainstream Hollywood movies or tv series, without anything to differentiate it from those already told stories.
To sum it up. It is a short novel at a novel's most basic level. Beginning, Rising event, Climax, resolution. No subplots or meaningful exploration of ideas and characters. Much to the titles credit, midway through the story becomes preachy and predictable.
Still with all of that aside, it has enough of a hook to keep the pages turning even though everything within is as aforementioned, highly predictable and unoriginal.
At the start, the story has the makings of something relatively fresh, however midway through, it fails to delve as deeply into it's abstract themes as similar titles do. I.e. "The Shack", or "Eve",
It instead keeps us wading in the shallows to tell us a story we've heard many times already amongst various cliche heavy mainstream Hollywood movies or tv series, without anything to differentiate it from those already told stories.
To sum it up. It is a short novel at a novel's most basic level. Beginning, Rising event, Climax, resolution. No subplots or meaningful exploration of ideas and characters. Much to the titles credit, midway through the story becomes preachy and predictable.
Still with all of that aside, it has enough of a hook to keep the pages turning even though everything within is as aforementioned, highly predictable and unoriginal.
September 7, 2020
Riveting
I always come away from a Paul Young novel filled to overflowing, believing in Love, believing in goodness and this one is no different. Together, with Brad Jersak, Paul takes us on yet another gut wrenching journey through the desolate interior journey of the wounded, mirroring our own broken dysfunctions and painful violations and perpetrations. The supporting characters carry brilliantly the choices we all have to make and own. The question that echoes from the writing for our times, in the midst of all this hell, is there any good news? I’d dare say, Love says yes. Yes, there is. Here’s to a routine of grace - wake up, pee, listen, and surrender to Love’s gaze. May we all find and yield to this rhythm of Love the authors have invited us to.
I always come away from a Paul Young novel filled to overflowing, believing in Love, believing in goodness and this one is no different. Together, with Brad Jersak, Paul takes us on yet another gut wrenching journey through the desolate interior journey of the wounded, mirroring our own broken dysfunctions and painful violations and perpetrations. The supporting characters carry brilliantly the choices we all have to make and own. The question that echoes from the writing for our times, in the midst of all this hell, is there any good news? I’d dare say, Love says yes. Yes, there is. Here’s to a routine of grace - wake up, pee, listen, and surrender to Love’s gaze. May we all find and yield to this rhythm of Love the authors have invited us to.
November 2, 2020
Wow. This book is a real eye-opener and will probably come as a shock to most people. But the important thing about it is how important it is to be real, to quit living under the guise of religion. It's about having a relationship with Jesus rather than and how doing so can heal all the secrets we hide throughout our lifetimes, giving us freedom to live the way he'd want us to live. Secrets can destroy us, as they did this pastor, but being willing to shine light in our darknesses leads to healing. Excellent book and I highly recommend it.
September 23, 2020
The Pastor: A Crisis is a fantastic parable that expertly weaves theology into emotional character moments that are revealing in ways that a standard theology book can't be. It takes a minute to get going, but once it does, it goes hard; I was hooked for the last half of the book.
The thing I need to mention though is that as I read the first 5 chapters I thought I was going to walk away disappointed. The Pastor character seemed like a punching bag for the authors, the writing seemed to have an agenda, and it felt like the book was kinda preachy in that "Christian media" sense.
But something happened after chapter 5, I realized that this wasn't a novel, but rather (like I mentioned at the beginning of this review) a parable. The Pastor has much more in common with A Christmas Carol than Crime & Punishment and thus should be read and understood as such. Once I had that realization, I found myself falling in love with the book.
The thing I need to mention though is that as I read the first 5 chapters I thought I was going to walk away disappointed. The Pastor character seemed like a punching bag for the authors, the writing seemed to have an agenda, and it felt like the book was kinda preachy in that "Christian media" sense.
But something happened after chapter 5, I realized that this wasn't a novel, but rather (like I mentioned at the beginning of this review) a parable. The Pastor has much more in common with A Christmas Carol than Crime & Punishment and thus should be read and understood as such. Once I had that realization, I found myself falling in love with the book.
April 14, 2021
After the great success that was "The shack" (and its consequent theological controversy) this is a somewhat different book. It is shorter (less than 200 pages) and I think, more creative, daring and tough, like the subject it points to. It is not for the faint of heart. Some conservative Christians may not like it (and I don´t blame them) but for those who have suffered the scars of abuse in their lives, they will be able to empathize with this pastor and the hell hidden in his heart.
June 6, 2021
If you like the authors you’ll (probably) like the book. It deals with hard *stuff* as most of Young’s books do, but I found it too short. It bypasses character development required to make a strong connection between the reader and the novel. I can assume, however, that it would mean a lot to someone who has had similar experiences to the lead. It’s less of a story and more of a direct narrative of a persons recovery.
December 16, 2021
A hellfire and brimstone preacher has a complete mental breakdown when a mysterious woman walks into his church during a sermon. He ends up in an asylum as he breaks down further before being reassembled.
I'm not sure why this book exists. On the one hand it tells of how God can heal and redeem anyone. On the other hand it spends most of the book telling us what a terrible person the Pastor is. It was interesting, and disturbing.
I'm not sure why this book exists. On the one hand it tells of how God can heal and redeem anyone. On the other hand it spends most of the book telling us what a terrible person the Pastor is. It was interesting, and disturbing.
September 23, 2020
The Pastor, A Crisis is not for the faint of heart. Do not just give it to anyone to read. It's for those who are ready... Definitely not for the religious nut who will want to tear it apart.
Fiction but real. "Whew" is all I got about it right now.
I pray it brings healing/forgiveness to all who may read it.
Fiction but real. "Whew" is all I got about it right now.
I pray it brings healing/forgiveness to all who may read it.
January 2, 2024
Deeply appreciated the message of repentance. Written from the view of a perpetrator, it's a quick "easy" (rather, simple) read that opens your eyes to see Grace as the fiery presence of God. It also calls you, by the nature of being the POV of a sinner, to reflect on your own actions and how they deeply affect others.
September 5, 2020
Discomfort on the way to grace
This provocative story takes us inside the soul of a broken person and helps us join in his painful journey from spiritual sickness to health, condemnation to forgiveness, arrogance to grace, and fear to love.
This provocative story takes us inside the soul of a broken person and helps us join in his painful journey from spiritual sickness to health, condemnation to forgiveness, arrogance to grace, and fear to love.
September 18, 2020
The Pastor: A Crisis
This book does NOT disappoint!! Loved it and felt He could see into my pain - Feel as I Am ready to accept and allow His Mercy, His Grace and His Healing!!! Amen. Thank you! Glory Be to God!!!
This book does NOT disappoint!! Loved it and felt He could see into my pain - Feel as I Am ready to accept and allow His Mercy, His Grace and His Healing!!! Amen. Thank you! Glory Be to God!!!
January 24, 2021
This book is not at all what I expected and it was great! A provocative parable about trauma, sin & the love of God. I listened to the audiobook version which was acted out with a cast of characters—very appropriate & enjoyable in this format.
February 20, 2023
Short story of an angry, fire and brimstone pastor who has a mental breakdown. While in a mental institute he finds grace. The writing is very sparse. I just wanted more details! Still the message of love and redemption through Jesus is plain.
August 31, 2020
Jersak and Young hold nothing back in this tell-all tale of a pastor who is faced with his demons. Provocative at times but so powerful!
September 5, 2020
Profound
Well written. Telling of the sacrifice and love of Jesus our Savior. I only wish it had went a little deeper and lasted a little longer.
Well written. Telling of the sacrifice and love of Jesus our Savior. I only wish it had went a little deeper and lasted a little longer.
October 23, 2020
Held my attention, great theology, but story seemed...too short? Too fast? Too verbose? Still enjoyable, but not one I would recommend. Love the theology though and definitely do the audio version.
May 27, 2021
Great book, although a little disjointed at times, I felt. Great concept, but I would have liked to have found out what happened after the hospital.
May 31, 2021
Encoutered love
Not an easy book to read nor hear. I nearly ceased the auditory version.. was somewhat uneasy but glad I kept going. A lot to reflect upon.
Not an easy book to read nor hear. I nearly ceased the auditory version.. was somewhat uneasy but glad I kept going. A lot to reflect upon.
May 31, 2021
An interesting read and a great concept. It is short and left me wishing there was more.
January 8, 2022
Fascinating short tale of one arrogant pastor's mental breakdown.
May 14, 2021
I like the overall message but not how they got there.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews