Review: "A Pastoral Rule for Today"

A Pastoral Rule for Today:  Reviving an Ancient Practice eds., John P. Burgess, Jerry Andrews, and Joseph D. Small began as “an initiative to reform and renew ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA)” (163).  From page 163 to 180, they state the rule that they propose for the PCUSA.

The authors of this book look at the “rules” of Augustine, Benedict, Gregory the Great, John Calvin, John Wesley, John Henry Newman, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  For each of the theologians, the authors put them in historical context and present their particular “rule.”  Each chapter ends with a series of questions for reflection – which are useful for self-reflection or group discussion (a pastors’ group discussion) – and then some books to read for further information about the theologian and his “rule.”

The book ends with a plea to consider setting a “rule” for oneself so one is not “majoring on the minors” – for pastors in particular, as we remember:  Acts 6:2–4, [2] And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. [3] Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. [4] But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (ESV).

I was excited when I saw this book was being published, and it is a good book and should be heeded by all biblical ministers, though, at times, I felt they were stretching the definition of “rule” with some of the theologians.

When I was in seminary, we read Benedict’s Rule, and had to write a rule for ourselves, including things we would do each day, week, month, and general rules that we would abide by in life.  That exercise was one of the most helpful things we did in seminary, and I continue to tweak my “rule” – the only problem for me is not abiding by the rule, giving in to the “tyranny of the urgent.”

We only have so much time, and we ought to know how we can maximize our ability to do what is of greatest importance to us.  Putting together a rule is a way I have found that helps, and you may as well.

[This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]