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Mother Kirk: Essays And Forays In Practical Ecclesiology
Modern evangelicals have gained money, power, and influence, and it has been like giving whiskey to a two-year-old. The need of the hour is theological, not political. The arena is the pulpit and the table, not the legislative chamber. Before we are equipped to proclaim His lordship to the inhabitants of all the earth, we must live as though we believed it in the Church. In Mother Kirk , forty-year pastor Douglas Wilson offers very practical and pastoral guidance to many of the countless issues that arise in conservative Christian churches. The essays span subjects ranging from the nature of legalism and church authority to worship music, debt, youth ministry, and pastoral character.
13 pages, Audiobook
First published June 1, 2001
52 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Wilson
319 books4,565 followersI write in order to make the little voices in my head go away. Thus far it hasn't worked.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 9, 2023
This is a great book on the church and its role in society. It covers a multitude of topics including the church's role in maintaining the Word of God in the language of the church. Wilson believes the modern church has abandoned responsibility of the Scriptures to corporations. He also covers preaching, teaching, church governance, qualifications for elders and deacons, worship, and the Lord's day. This is an excellent resource and I recommend it to all.
December 17, 2025
A collection of essays that covers tons of topics. There is a bit of repetition but overall solid. What's remarkable is that this was written in 2001 and is still so applicable to the american church today.
July 14, 2022
Since this book starts out saying that it's mostly for pastors, I expected to read it as a spectator. And most of it was like that...me being grateful that I am part of a church that has embraced these ideas and lived them out so faithfully and fruitfully. But then he got to a chapter on publishing, and had nice things to say about editors and graphic designers, and...hey! That's me! 😀 While Canon Press is no longer a ministry of Christ Church, that's where it started, and while my other clients aren't ministries of Christ Church, that's the soil most of them sprang from. Or, to put it another way, they're some of Mother Kirk's babies. They're not part of the congregation, but they're part of the Christendom she has borne. And I get to be part of them!
February 17, 2025
Wonderful read! Especially useful in the areas of worship through music and church leadership.
October 12, 2009
I may be biased (since Wilson was my teacher at New St. Andrews College, as well as my pastor during those four years), but this was my second time through this book, and I still found it incredibly helpful.
Yes, all the theological insights were great, and the writing was typically witty and humorous. But, what was most striking was how Wilson addresses huge theological and Biblical topics with a consistently practical and pastoral approach. The sub-title says it well: "Essays and Forays in Practical Ecclesiology." This is not a book for armchair theologians. Wilson is controversial at times, but he is also writing to real problems in the modern, American evangelical church. Even if you don't agree with him, he is a great debating partner! He will challenge you to defend (from the Bible!) your fundamental notions of God, His Word, and what His Church should be doing.
I can also say, because I have some background knowledge of the actual circumstances that led to the writing of some chapters, that Wilson is writing out his own pastoral experience. He has been able, by he grace of God, to lead a large congregation through many major changes in how they understand the Bible, how they worship, how they educate their children, and most importantly, how they live as Christians every day and every hour of the week.
Many things have been said about Douglas Wilson, and many are untrue, or only half-true. Jesus said something helpful: "By your fruits you shall know them." God has grown some remarkable fruit through Wilson's ministry. I think many people read him, and are offended by his biting wit and sarcasm. I read him differently because I hear his chuckle in between the lines, and I see the huge grin he would always have when he was saying the most unsettling things. I would encourage other readers to keep that image in mind!
Yes, all the theological insights were great, and the writing was typically witty and humorous. But, what was most striking was how Wilson addresses huge theological and Biblical topics with a consistently practical and pastoral approach. The sub-title says it well: "Essays and Forays in Practical Ecclesiology." This is not a book for armchair theologians. Wilson is controversial at times, but he is also writing to real problems in the modern, American evangelical church. Even if you don't agree with him, he is a great debating partner! He will challenge you to defend (from the Bible!) your fundamental notions of God, His Word, and what His Church should be doing.
I can also say, because I have some background knowledge of the actual circumstances that led to the writing of some chapters, that Wilson is writing out his own pastoral experience. He has been able, by he grace of God, to lead a large congregation through many major changes in how they understand the Bible, how they worship, how they educate their children, and most importantly, how they live as Christians every day and every hour of the week.
Many things have been said about Douglas Wilson, and many are untrue, or only half-true. Jesus said something helpful: "By your fruits you shall know them." God has grown some remarkable fruit through Wilson's ministry. I think many people read him, and are offended by his biting wit and sarcasm. I read him differently because I hear his chuckle in between the lines, and I see the huge grin he would always have when he was saying the most unsettling things. I would encourage other readers to keep that image in mind!
April 12, 2015
I really enjoyed this: it gives a wonderful picture of what the Church should be like. The only drawback was that the Church could be even more. But, that said, Mother Kirk is a really good place to start talking about how the Church is to be lived. This is a mostly practical book aimed at church leaders, but its conciseness makes it valuable for laypersons. I can't say I agreed with every detail, but most, along with the broad structure, were fundamentally sound. Perhaps the best part of the book was the understated solemness and joyfulness of Church life: the two have to go together and spring from the bittersweetness of the Cross.
Wilson's customary snark is in the background most of the time (relatively speaking), in accordance with the topic, but his "prophetic spirit," as Ken Myers would put it, surfaces often enough to make reading a bit of fun (haha... wait, I was laughing at me then). Them's fighting words... and the Church is one thing worth fighting for. Sometimes I think Wilson is the grinning Rottweiler of the Reformed Church, and they were bred to look after livestock, including sheep.
If this kind of book was not needed, I might have rated it down a star. The Church always needs reforming, but the kind of reforming will change over time. As the Evangelical and Reformed Churches currently stand, however, I think they could only benefit from reading this book... provided they bat it around a bit with scripture, perhaps with the occasional poke in the snoot.
Wilson's customary snark is in the background most of the time (relatively speaking), in accordance with the topic, but his "prophetic spirit," as Ken Myers would put it, surfaces often enough to make reading a bit of fun (haha... wait, I was laughing at me then). Them's fighting words... and the Church is one thing worth fighting for. Sometimes I think Wilson is the grinning Rottweiler of the Reformed Church, and they were bred to look after livestock, including sheep.
If this kind of book was not needed, I might have rated it down a star. The Church always needs reforming, but the kind of reforming will change over time. As the Evangelical and Reformed Churches currently stand, however, I think they could only benefit from reading this book... provided they bat it around a bit with scripture, perhaps with the occasional poke in the snoot.
September 21, 2021
I've now read this a second time - 10 years later. Every chapter is just great.
Mother Kirk should be read in conjunction with David Wells' The Courage to be Protestant. The former being what we ought to be doing and the latter being what we ought not be doing. A great read for anyone remotely interested in studying the life of the Church.
Mother Kirk should be read in conjunction with David Wells' The Courage to be Protestant. The former being what we ought to be doing and the latter being what we ought not be doing. A great read for anyone remotely interested in studying the life of the Church.
March 10, 2023
Read again 2020-21 with men of our Church plant. Some of this is excellent and some is only the seed form, if what was developed later.
All very helpful to establishing a church.
Read in January 09 and again over the fall and winter of 11. Excellent introduction to Ecclesiology.
All very helpful to establishing a church.
Read in January 09 and again over the fall and winter of 11. Excellent introduction to Ecclesiology.
March 6, 2022
This is an incredible book. Doug fills each page with wisdom from sound doctrine, Church history, and years of experience in ministry. Since every Christian man that has a wife and kids is a pastor of a flock, every "pastor" should read this book. You don't have to agree with everything, but if you are not at least exposed to the content, you're missing out.
Doug makes great arguments for recovering liturgy in worship and singing Psalms among God's people. I'm sold on the Psalm singing! He has such practical advice for elders shepherding "parishes" according to the neighborhoods they live in and how close church members live in radius to the elders. This is how shepherding should be done. We should be involved in each other's lives and we should have overseers actually overseeing us. We should be eating and singing together on a regular basis.
Doug argues that we need to get rid of all theologies that breed unbelief. I couldn't agree more. Pessimistic eschatology and treating our children like God might not save them isn't encouraging anyone's faith. A good remedy for this is recovering the doctrine of covenant succession and practice through paedobaptism and godly child rearing, along with a postmillennial (Puritan) view of the "end times." Doug also argues for high octane Calvinism, because it destroys man's pride. I'm on board with all that.
The book ends with a series of questions designed for interviewing a man's wife for his qualifications for eldership. These are great questions for man to meditate on in regards to his home. These questions don't just apply to elders, they put on display how every Christian man should be living.
One of the best books I've read. Highly recommend!
Doug makes great arguments for recovering liturgy in worship and singing Psalms among God's people. I'm sold on the Psalm singing! He has such practical advice for elders shepherding "parishes" according to the neighborhoods they live in and how close church members live in radius to the elders. This is how shepherding should be done. We should be involved in each other's lives and we should have overseers actually overseeing us. We should be eating and singing together on a regular basis.
Doug argues that we need to get rid of all theologies that breed unbelief. I couldn't agree more. Pessimistic eschatology and treating our children like God might not save them isn't encouraging anyone's faith. A good remedy for this is recovering the doctrine of covenant succession and practice through paedobaptism and godly child rearing, along with a postmillennial (Puritan) view of the "end times." Doug also argues for high octane Calvinism, because it destroys man's pride. I'm on board with all that.
The book ends with a series of questions designed for interviewing a man's wife for his qualifications for eldership. These are great questions for man to meditate on in regards to his home. These questions don't just apply to elders, they put on display how every Christian man should be living.
One of the best books I've read. Highly recommend!
February 9, 2025
Golly, whattabook.
February 23, 2025
Helpful meditations on the instruction for the life of the Church. A nice depiction of a broadly reformed ecclesiology as it plays out in the day to day life of the Church.
May 6, 2025
Critical read.
July 20, 2019
“Mother Kirk” is a collection of essays Douglas Wilson wrote on the church and practical church life. This was an excellent read. Wilson has a very high ecclesiology as well as a high view of the Word of God being the standard and conviction of the Church. Wilson has been a faithful minister at Christ Church for over 40 years and the wisdom of his pastoral ministry comes through this book.
At the heart, this book is for pastors and elders. Though anyone who desires to grow in a high view of the Church or doing personal studies in ecclesiology should read this book. The book covers practical topics that I have not seen addressed in common works on the church and gives great diligent study in what Scripture says.
They’re definitely points I disagree with (paedobaptism and paedocommunion) but overall I was very refreshed and encouraged digging into these essays on the Kirk!
At the heart, this book is for pastors and elders. Though anyone who desires to grow in a high view of the Church or doing personal studies in ecclesiology should read this book. The book covers practical topics that I have not seen addressed in common works on the church and gives great diligent study in what Scripture says.
They’re definitely points I disagree with (paedobaptism and paedocommunion) but overall I was very refreshed and encouraged digging into these essays on the Kirk!
July 26, 2012
Pastor Wilson does as good a job as I know of when it comes to diagnosing problems in the modern church. He doesn't stick with identifying symptoms and say, "Stop it." He goes further by addressing the issues that led us to the point at which we've arrived. Being a Baptist, I disagree with some of his points on baptism (just to mention one area), but even when you disagree with him on something he is edifying to read. The portion on producing materials for your church is slightly dated seeing as how new technology (twitter, facebook, etc.) has developed since the book was published, but it still has several great ideas. Regardless of one's denomination, if you're willing to take an honest look at Evangelical churches today, it is a great book.
April 22, 2016
A great book on practical issues in the church. Leaders and congregants should read it. The sources cited will give me another mountain to read, but there are lots of good rabbit trails to pursue. Peter Leithart's foreword is worth the price of the book. 1/10
December 14, 2024
Must-read. Seriously, please go read it.
July 15, 2022
A box of high-quality, assorted ecclesiological chocolates. Some highlights:
- A surprise highlight was the section on public prayer, and the virtue of thinking them through carefully. I seldom pray publicly, but it has made me careful not to repeat evangelical shibboleths in our prayers at home ("Lord we just thank you so much that we can just be here Lord…").
- A roaring defence of Presbyterian church government. (Having discussed this with a Baptist brother, a lot seems to turn on whether you think the Jerusalem Council was a sui generis moment in redemptive history, or indicative of the expected pattern of how the Church governs its affairs generally. I take the latter view.)
- One of the better defences of Sabbatarianism that I've heard, but I'm not totally convinced. There is a sort of tidiness to the argument that actually makes me a tad suspicious, and the move from old to new covenant is seldom that tidy.
- There was a bitter pill amongst the chocolates, but I think Scripture supports it thoroughly: ministers must have obedient, believing children. It's right there in the text, but we seem to have made a mutual pact to ignore it entirely. We'd be ruined, as Kierkegaard might say.
- A surprise highlight was the section on public prayer, and the virtue of thinking them through carefully. I seldom pray publicly, but it has made me careful not to repeat evangelical shibboleths in our prayers at home ("Lord we just thank you so much that we can just be here Lord…").
- A roaring defence of Presbyterian church government. (Having discussed this with a Baptist brother, a lot seems to turn on whether you think the Jerusalem Council was a sui generis moment in redemptive history, or indicative of the expected pattern of how the Church governs its affairs generally. I take the latter view.)
- One of the better defences of Sabbatarianism that I've heard, but I'm not totally convinced. There is a sort of tidiness to the argument that actually makes me a tad suspicious, and the move from old to new covenant is seldom that tidy.
- There was a bitter pill amongst the chocolates, but I think Scripture supports it thoroughly: ministers must have obedient, believing children. It's right there in the text, but we seem to have made a mutual pact to ignore it entirely. We'd be ruined, as Kierkegaard might say.
July 31, 2022
One of the knocks I've heard about Canon is that "they think their way is the only way to do Christianity." I understand the sentiment, but I believe it only stems from their deep seated confidence in their understanding of the Word. They do think they're always right, but they know that they're not always right. And this book offers strong conviction, but a gracious and loving tone that just seems to love and help the church of the Lord they love.
This book offers different areas where the modern, American church is sorely lacking and gives practical, biblical teaching on ways to reform. Even if you don't agree with everything, there is much to learn and a lot of hard won, practical wisdom to glean.
This book offers different areas where the modern, American church is sorely lacking and gives practical, biblical teaching on ways to reform. Even if you don't agree with everything, there is much to learn and a lot of hard won, practical wisdom to glean.
March 13, 2025
As usual, Pastor Wilson delivers with a series of pithy, insightful, functional essays. It grieves me that many of these profoundly practical topics are so rarely addressed in everyday Christian conversation, much less with biblical humility and wisdom. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on the sacraments, on the Sabbath, and on outreach. The book is episodic enough that these can be read in isolation, though I encourage reading the rest for context and for their own nuggets of truth. Though I do not profess to agree with every point made here, the book as a whole opens my eyes to the blessing and duty which it is to be a man of the Church of God.
June 27, 2022
Excellent work—a valuable and practical summary of church life that will be tremendously helpful to anyone that wants to take the Bride of Christ more seriously. Unfortunately, it suffers from doctrinal weaknesses common to paedobaptistic reformed types that undermine the holistic helpfulness of the book.
I would love to subscribe to being a "reformed evangelical" if only these issues could be properly addressed and the remainders of papist interpretation be thrown into the fire where they belong. Reform, and keep reforming.
I would love to subscribe to being a "reformed evangelical" if only these issues could be properly addressed and the remainders of papist interpretation be thrown into the fire where they belong. Reform, and keep reforming.
July 2, 2022
Really good book on ecclesiology.
March 24, 2023
Pretty good.
June 8, 2023
Very theologically rich and practically helpful essays on the church.
February 3, 2024
An absolute must read, must own, must buy extra copies to hand to others.
December 25, 2025
Excellent essays on important issues. I appreciated what Pastor Wilson had to say on music in worship, qualifications for ministry, and building funds.
July 8, 2016
Took me a while to get through this one for a couple reasons.
First, this thing is PACKED. Much more than I'm used to with a book from Wilson, even though it is written in his usual witty style.
Second, I find books on ecclesiology tough to get through, because eventually you get to 'those chapters' that any decent book on the subject must contain but one does tire of reading after the second go round. I'm referencing elder/deacon qualifications, and I guess at the time of reading I was saturated in the subject and had to exert some mental effort to read yet one more summary and explanation of 1 Tim 3.
All that aside, Wilson hammers out his goal of showing us a 'practical ecclesiology', with some parts having me near cheering, others making me stroke my beard pondering, and others causing me to think "Huh?! Oh right, he's a Presbyterian."
All in all, a must read for ANYONE in church leadership.
First, this thing is PACKED. Much more than I'm used to with a book from Wilson, even though it is written in his usual witty style.
Second, I find books on ecclesiology tough to get through, because eventually you get to 'those chapters' that any decent book on the subject must contain but one does tire of reading after the second go round. I'm referencing elder/deacon qualifications, and I guess at the time of reading I was saturated in the subject and had to exert some mental effort to read yet one more summary and explanation of 1 Tim 3.
All that aside, Wilson hammers out his goal of showing us a 'practical ecclesiology', with some parts having me near cheering, others making me stroke my beard pondering, and others causing me to think "Huh?! Oh right, he's a Presbyterian."
All in all, a must read for ANYONE in church leadership.
August 4, 2008
I read this about five years ago, and am currently re-reading it with great pleasure.
I have some real problems with certain aspects of Wilson's theology. I don't agree with his sacramentology, and since this book was written, some substantial problems with his soteriology have surfaced as well. But this book deals with practical church life, and there's nobody writing today on church issues with more engaging Chestertonian wit than Wilson. This book is funny and profound, and church leaders of all stripes would do well to read it.
I'd particularly recommend his sections in the chapter "The Minister's Character" on feminism and on the reading of theological books.
I have some real problems with certain aspects of Wilson's theology. I don't agree with his sacramentology, and since this book was written, some substantial problems with his soteriology have surfaced as well. But this book deals with practical church life, and there's nobody writing today on church issues with more engaging Chestertonian wit than Wilson. This book is funny and profound, and church leaders of all stripes would do well to read it.
I'd particularly recommend his sections in the chapter "The Minister's Character" on feminism and on the reading of theological books.
August 30, 2013
This is a very productive book. I have my share of disagreements with Wilson on a handful of issues and, particularly in those cases, wish he would argue his point a bit more thoroughly (alas, such are the limitations of a book covering so much ground). Still, the book is very helpful overall in framing very important and practical ecclesiastical topics and furthering the conversation on those. Moreover, if you're wondering where Wilson stands on many ecclesiastical topics, from Bible translations to the sacraments, he at least touches on them here. It is not a perfect book, for certain, but it key in understanding Wilson's theology and is great food for though in church thinking.
April 14, 2018
On a second run through!
Pastoral and Biblical, high-church and evangelical. This book is crammed with solid wisdom, and a willingness to clearly speak where others fear to mumble.
His particular understanding of the Regulative Principle is attractive, but it takes others (like the guys at the Calvinist International) to show why it is genuinely reformed.
Loved it.
Favourite part: the section on the use of leavened bread in the Eucharist.
Pastoral and Biblical, high-church and evangelical. This book is crammed with solid wisdom, and a willingness to clearly speak where others fear to mumble.
His particular understanding of the Regulative Principle is attractive, but it takes others (like the guys at the Calvinist International) to show why it is genuinely reformed.
Loved it.
Favourite part: the section on the use of leavened bread in the Eucharist.
May 30, 2012
As a Baptist pastor I was greatly blessed by this volume on church life, written by Douglas Wilson. Even on areas which I disagreed, I could not help but be deeply challenged to Biblically defend the reasons why I differed. In the end, on nearly every page there was ample reason to say a hearty AMEN! I will write a more detailed review on my blog in the near future.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews