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Retractions: Cultivating Humility After Humiliation
God loves humility. We all know that. But what He really loves is ongoing humility. This book can help upcoming Christian leaders of all kinds to acknowledge their failures and experience the joy of ongoing humility that accompanies such a life.
The chapters in this book are truth-filled and autobiographical. I’m 64, not 34. They tell my stories, but I am not the hero of them. My hope is that you will agree this book will both greatly challenge this generation of Christian leaders and give them hope for their future—regardless of past failures.
Pure gold.
—Ray Comfort
Founder and CEO, Living Waters
In a day filled with self- promotion, branding, and celebrity worship, Pat points us to what the Bible declares repeatedly from start to finish—choose and cultivate humility for a lifetime.
—Brad Bigney
Author, Gospel Treason
I wish I could have read this BEFORE starting ministry!
—Dr. Matt Shackelford
Lead Teaching Pastor, Central Church Collierville, Tennessee
PAT NEMMERS (BA, Faith Baptist Bible College) has served as lead pastor of Saylorville Church in Des Moines, Iowa, since 1998. His focus on personal evangelism and discipleship has produced a church that continues to experience exponential growth. In addition, Pat founded the Engage Network, a church planting fellowship of seven Gospel-centered churches in the greater Des Moines area with over 4,000 people. He and his wife, Marilyn, speak at conferences across the globe. He and Marilyn were both widowed when the Lord brought them together in 1997. Together they have 10 children and over 30 grandchildren.
The chapters in this book are truth-filled and autobiographical. I’m 64, not 34. They tell my stories, but I am not the hero of them. My hope is that you will agree this book will both greatly challenge this generation of Christian leaders and give them hope for their future—regardless of past failures.
Pure gold.
—Ray Comfort
Founder and CEO, Living Waters
In a day filled with self- promotion, branding, and celebrity worship, Pat points us to what the Bible declares repeatedly from start to finish—choose and cultivate humility for a lifetime.
—Brad Bigney
Author, Gospel Treason
I wish I could have read this BEFORE starting ministry!
—Dr. Matt Shackelford
Lead Teaching Pastor, Central Church Collierville, Tennessee
PAT NEMMERS (BA, Faith Baptist Bible College) has served as lead pastor of Saylorville Church in Des Moines, Iowa, since 1998. His focus on personal evangelism and discipleship has produced a church that continues to experience exponential growth. In addition, Pat founded the Engage Network, a church planting fellowship of seven Gospel-centered churches in the greater Des Moines area with over 4,000 people. He and his wife, Marilyn, speak at conferences across the globe. He and Marilyn were both widowed when the Lord brought them together in 1997. Together they have 10 children and over 30 grandchildren.
- GenresChristian
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2022
16 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 2, 2023
Great and easy read! I’ve never read a book about someone’s failures written out and the lessons they learned along the way , especially a pastors failures! This book was encouraging and humbling, and one i would recommend to everyone!
February 1, 2025
There’s a difference between convictions, opinions, and prejudices. With convictions we say “I know” and are willing to go to jail for it. With opinions, we say “I think” and are willing to consider other points of view. With prejudices, we say “I feel” and really don’t have reasons why! (Warren Wiersbe).
November 19, 2022
loved it, very encouraging and easy to read
Pastor Pat’s Retractions encapsulates a wealth of experience in humility through easy to read and biblically reflected snippets in his life. I’ve known him as an eloquent, passionate preacher for over a decade. Now seeing his character on the page, I’m excited to get a fresh spin on what makes him so wonderful. He loves Jesus and His word, and we love to see him though their impact. He’s also a self admitted bull in a china shop, and I laugh with him as he tells of mistakes nearly as embarrassing as some I could tell.
Interwoven in these accounts is a majestic picture of God’s grace. It reminds me that the power we all need is from Jesus, and He isn’t far away.
I’m challenged to abound in thankfulness, as he quotes near the end from Colossians 1:6-7. As I read this finale, I was squirming with nerve pain. He shared a passage in Colossians comparing the strong cedar to how we can become strong in Jesus. The phrase “abounding in thankfulness” stuck with me and I was instantly challenged about an earlier question he posed. He asked us not to waste our sins and our trials, but to examine what dark place God has been shining. I am seeing with new and repenting eyes how little thankfulness I’ve had in these last three years. Yes, I have praised God, and am more now than I was when my back condition first went bad, but I don’t think I was as thankful as I am now. And that I should be. It could take more time, and that’s ok! I want to learn thankfulness.
Pastor Pat’s chapter on the softening of his character with age encouraged me to see that sweet fruit God is making from this pain. His questions after each chapter and verses for reflection helped me take a moment to apply it to my life.
Now to reject the sin nature that would tell us that humility is weakness. I appreciate the way Retractions shows us the mystery behind God’s loving pruning. Before reading this, I didn’t know palm trees produced sweeter fruit through enduring calamity. Likewise, I can’t say I’ve ever appreciated the ways God has humiliated me as I do now. It helps me see the purpose and grow more grateful to the One at work.
—
Pastor Pat,
Thank you for the many years of compassion on me, my family and our church. You helped equip us for the branches and deep roots God would help us grow. Now with this book, you’ve encouraged me from afar. God bless you, your family and so many more through this book!
Pastor Pat’s Retractions encapsulates a wealth of experience in humility through easy to read and biblically reflected snippets in his life. I’ve known him as an eloquent, passionate preacher for over a decade. Now seeing his character on the page, I’m excited to get a fresh spin on what makes him so wonderful. He loves Jesus and His word, and we love to see him though their impact. He’s also a self admitted bull in a china shop, and I laugh with him as he tells of mistakes nearly as embarrassing as some I could tell.
Interwoven in these accounts is a majestic picture of God’s grace. It reminds me that the power we all need is from Jesus, and He isn’t far away.
I’m challenged to abound in thankfulness, as he quotes near the end from Colossians 1:6-7. As I read this finale, I was squirming with nerve pain. He shared a passage in Colossians comparing the strong cedar to how we can become strong in Jesus. The phrase “abounding in thankfulness” stuck with me and I was instantly challenged about an earlier question he posed. He asked us not to waste our sins and our trials, but to examine what dark place God has been shining. I am seeing with new and repenting eyes how little thankfulness I’ve had in these last three years. Yes, I have praised God, and am more now than I was when my back condition first went bad, but I don’t think I was as thankful as I am now. And that I should be. It could take more time, and that’s ok! I want to learn thankfulness.
Pastor Pat’s chapter on the softening of his character with age encouraged me to see that sweet fruit God is making from this pain. His questions after each chapter and verses for reflection helped me take a moment to apply it to my life.
Now to reject the sin nature that would tell us that humility is weakness. I appreciate the way Retractions shows us the mystery behind God’s loving pruning. Before reading this, I didn’t know palm trees produced sweeter fruit through enduring calamity. Likewise, I can’t say I’ve ever appreciated the ways God has humiliated me as I do now. It helps me see the purpose and grow more grateful to the One at work.
—
Pastor Pat,
Thank you for the many years of compassion on me, my family and our church. You helped equip us for the branches and deep roots God would help us grow. Now with this book, you’ve encouraged me from afar. God bless you, your family and so many more through this book!
December 27, 2022
Retractions shares many foibles of Pastor Pat Nemmers in both life and ministry, a task not often undertaken by church leadership. In an age where podcasts are made highlighting the downfall of churches and headlines disclose the sins of church leaders, it is refreshing to have the light turned on from within. Pastor Pat is not perfect, nor does he claim to be. He does however, openly admit his mistakes. Mistakes, that aside from the work of Christ in his life, he would not have overcome. Mistakes that, hopefully through his experience, we won’t have to make as well.
Retractions is many things:
The confessions and repentance of one who is “graying in grace”
A word of caution for young pastors and those aspiring to ministry.
A breath of fresh air to those burdened by the sins of the church.
An encouragement to those who have had/are learning to eat crow.
A call to live and breathe a theology of confession, while using Scripture as your rule.
While reading Pastor Pat’s stories, more than once a smirk crossed my face and laughter filled the room as I shuddered at the absurdity of a situation. However, there were also times where I had to put Retractions down and confess my sin to both my Savior and those I’d wronged (…story telling and the use of poetic license/embellishment…ouch).
Ultimately, where Retractions shines brightest is in the call to return to Scripture. Rather than saying, “This is what I’ve done, go and do likewise,” Pastor Pat ends each chapter—though already littered with Scripture—with passages for further study. Pastor Pat’s passion for the Word of God and the Gospel is present on every page. The beauty of his retractions are the reminders that God is living and active, and we must diligently study Scripture as we seek the face of the Lord.
Retractions is many things:
The confessions and repentance of one who is “graying in grace”
A word of caution for young pastors and those aspiring to ministry.
A breath of fresh air to those burdened by the sins of the church.
An encouragement to those who have had/are learning to eat crow.
A call to live and breathe a theology of confession, while using Scripture as your rule.
While reading Pastor Pat’s stories, more than once a smirk crossed my face and laughter filled the room as I shuddered at the absurdity of a situation. However, there were also times where I had to put Retractions down and confess my sin to both my Savior and those I’d wronged (…story telling and the use of poetic license/embellishment…ouch).
Ultimately, where Retractions shines brightest is in the call to return to Scripture. Rather than saying, “This is what I’ve done, go and do likewise,” Pastor Pat ends each chapter—though already littered with Scripture—with passages for further study. Pastor Pat’s passion for the Word of God and the Gospel is present on every page. The beauty of his retractions are the reminders that God is living and active, and we must diligently study Scripture as we seek the face of the Lord.
December 27, 2022
A heartfelt written book of experiences and knowledge gained through life. Easy to read. It is good to know that people can change their minds based on the Bible more than on other peoples’ opinions and beliefs.It almost seems like a sequel needs to be written for those who experienced church beliefs from the pulpit that today are considered in error.It is refreshing to know that Retractions can happen and forgiveness occurs at many levels. Maybe that’s the idea! This is a good book for discussion/book clubs.
August 31, 2023
Humility Growing In CHRIST
I first heard my brother Pat Nemmers on the “Living Waters Podcast” and knew I definitely needed to read this book. At almost seventy years of age our HEAVENLY FATHER has also had to teach me humility is a virtue of growing in CHRIST. HE still has to teach this strong willed man to deny myself daily and follow HIM! I urge young and old to read this with an attentive heart.
I first heard my brother Pat Nemmers on the “Living Waters Podcast” and knew I definitely needed to read this book. At almost seventy years of age our HEAVENLY FATHER has also had to teach me humility is a virtue of growing in CHRIST. HE still has to teach this strong willed man to deny myself daily and follow HIM! I urge young and old to read this with an attentive heart.
November 29, 2022
Wise Words!
These are wise words from a very respected pastor. I read a lot of books but it’s not often that I’ve paused in self reflection as much as I did with this read. I feel like I have an opportunity to learn and gain wisdom from the author’s mistakes and real life situations.
These are wise words from a very respected pastor. I read a lot of books but it’s not often that I’ve paused in self reflection as much as I did with this read. I feel like I have an opportunity to learn and gain wisdom from the author’s mistakes and real life situations.
August 27, 2023
Heart-touching
I wept a few times while reading this book. Learning from the author's experiences is so much appreciated. Thank you for sharing your life in such a raw way. It made me reflect upon my life as a christian and how much I need to chose humility after humiliation.
I wept a few times while reading this book. Learning from the author's experiences is so much appreciated. Thank you for sharing your life in such a raw way. It made me reflect upon my life as a christian and how much I need to chose humility after humiliation.
May 8, 2024
Amazingly honest and helpful. A great encouragement... as he shares what God is doing through his sanctification it simultaneously holds up the mirror so we can be encouraged to allow the Spirit to prune us as well.
January 2, 2023
Love and appreciate the humility that went into this book.
April 7, 2023
A great book!
November 15, 2023
It's humbling to learn from one who has been humbled by life. I love this book.
November 16, 2023
Retractions is a bold and honest autobiographical challenge of finding humility and fruitfulness as rewards in life's failures.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews