Pastoral Work: Engagements with the Vision of Eugene Peterson

Eugene Peterson may be the most influential theological writer in the church today. Yet because most of his career has not been in academia there is not much critical engagement with his work. Here some of the finest scholar-pastors we have describe the way Peterson has inspired and infuriated on the way to (hopefully) more faithful pastorates. For those who knew Eugene Peterson only through his idiomatically rendered Bible The Message his memoir The Pastor was a revelation. But only a partial one. For the full 360-degree refraction read Pastoral Work . . . which collects the very lively thoughts of sixteen noted scholar-pastors addressing Pastor Petes influence on them and their calling. --David Van Biema former chief religion writer Time magazine These engagements with Eugene Peterson will be valuable to anyone who cares about pastoral ministry. Like Petersons own work they are informed by long obedience and patient reflection and they are refreshingly free of cant hype and prattle. --John Wilson editor Books & Culture Here is a book that will deepen challenge inform enrich and renew ministry in just the same way and to just the same degree as the work of its subject Eugene Peterson. Petersons legacy will not finally be in the written word but in the reflective practice of his countless disciples shaping communities in ways inspired by his words and example. To read this book is to feel encouraged hopeful and moved to prayer and service; and relieved to rediscover that ones ministry is not a lone quest but a shared joy. --Sam Wells Vicar St. Martin-in-the-Fields London Jason Byassee is senior pastor at Boone United Methodist Church in North Carolina and a Fellow in Theology and Leadership at Duke Divinity School. L. Roger Owens is associate professor of leadership and ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.