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The Pastor: A Memoir

4.41 of 5 stars 4.41 · rating details · 566 ratings · 99 reviews

In The Pastor, Eugene H. Peterson, the translator of the multimillion-selling The Message and the author of more than thirty books, offers his life story as one answer to the surprisingly neglected question: What does it mean to be a pastor?

When Peterson was asked by his denomination to begin a new church in Bel Air, Maryland, he surprised himself by saying yes. And so was...more

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published February 22nd 2011 by HarperOne (first published February 2nd 2011)

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Mar 02, 2013 Kirk rated it 5 of 5 stars

Reading this is an amazing opportunity for any pastor who wants a reflective look of someone who took a church start to lasting community, authored many books, taught many students (including myself) and, oh, by the way, translated the Bible in to contemporary American language to make it more tangible and in doing so, created one of the best selling stories of God. Yet, Pastor Eugene concludes with a letter in which he wrote, "... it strikes me right now as curious that I have almost no sense o...more

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May 25, 2011 Josh Hopping rated it 5 of 5 stars

Drawing from 30 years of experience as the pastor of a small 300 member church in Maryland, Peterson shares the tough times and the good times, the happy times and the not-so-happy times. And even better, he calls pastors to be pastors instead of managers or councilors or entertainers.

“I was not primarily dealing with people as problems. I was a pastor calling them to worship God….Congregations is a company of people who are defined by their creation in the image of God, living souls, whether t...more

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Apr 27, 2011 Josh Morgan rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review first appeared on my blog, Jacob's Café (jacobscafe.blogspot.com).

A couple of weeks ago, I posted an initial review of Eugene Peterson's memoir, The Pastor. I have finally finished it and absolutely loved it. While I am not in the role of professional clergy, this book hit home to me. If you want to know what my heart is as a psychologist and where I find meaning in life, read this book.

Peterson's book is a perfect example of how amazing of a writer he is. His prose becomes beautiful...more This review first appeared on my blog, Jacob's Café (jacobscafe.blogspot.com).

A couple of weeks ago, I posted an initial review of Eugene Peterson's memoir, The Pastor. I have finally finished it and absolutely loved it. While I am not in the role of professional clergy, this book hit home to me. If you want to know what my heart is as a psychologist and where I find meaning in life, read this book.

Peterson's book is a perfect example of how amazing of a writer he is. His prose becomes beautifully poetic (and I'm one who generally dislikes poems) with vivid imagery. In the afterward, a letter to a young pastor, he stated that he does not feel like he is a pastor of great achievement. While he did translate The Message Bible and has written many books, I got the sense from reading this that he is not your typical uber-famous Christian who has met the world's standards of success.

Yes, Peterson has had some of that, but he writes not to be famous, but because that is his love and passion. In fact, his personal testimony about the development of The Message makes me love and appreciate it all the more.

But returning to his pastoral work, this is where he finds his primary identity, with the writing elements being more of a supplement to that work. As a pastor, he led a flock of about 500 by the time he left. That's large compared to many institutions, but quite modest compared to those congregations of the best selling authors. And Peterson seemed to have no problem with the size. In fact, he indicated that he didn't want it bigger. He was satisfied with his work, and it showed through his heart and the true, lasting transformation that occurred in his community.

As a psychologist who definitely can be tempted by trying to achieve widespread notoriety, this tome reminded me of the power of daily, incarnational work that we all do on a daily basis. Our daily relationships and connections are what counts. Peterson knows that and lived it. And I have been blessed by his testimony of that life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the christianaudio.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

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Apr 10, 2011 Demetrius Rogers rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ministry, favorites, biography

One of my favorite quotes is by Amos Bronson Alcott. He once said, "That is a good book which is opened with expectation, and closed with delight and profit." Well, I found a book that thoroughly meets that description. Although I had never read any of his stuff, I had heard that Eugene Peterson's books were excellent. The moment I heard of this one, I knew I had to pick it up, and boy, I'm glad I did. Peterson held me spell bound for the last couple of weeks. I am in the process of finishing up...more One of my favorite quotes is by Amos Bronson Alcott. He once said, "That is a good book which is opened with expectation, and closed with delight and profit." Well, I found a book that thoroughly meets that description. Although I had never read any of his stuff, I had heard that Eugene Peterson's books were excellent. The moment I heard of this one, I knew I had to pick it up, and boy, I'm glad I did. Peterson held me spell bound for the last couple of weeks. I am in the process of finishing up a seminary degree and prayerfully considering my future. One thing I know for sure (whatever happens)... I will be taking this man on my journey.

Not only did Peterson write with such insight and seasoned experience, but his tone and demeanor is what struck in me some of the deepest chords. He is humble, unhurried, non-theatrical. He is not given to cliché and his answers come with texture and layers. He is extremely thoughtful and measured. Now, some of the greatest leaders I've been around in church life haven't always fit this description. Rather, they've been blazing bundles of energy and zeal. I was reared (like Peterson) within a Pentecostal context, where sermons were not crafted as much as anointed in an extemporaneous manner. Unction and spontaneity were usually practiced over and above careful exegesis and study. I wasn't sure that was quite me. But even more than that, it was the pastors schedule that seemed most conspicuous. Pastors seemed to go on very little sleep, they traveled much, kept budgets, raised money, built buildings, led meetings, solved problems, and then was expected to maintain a deep devotional life, and be an exemplary husband and father. Honestly, I've been around some pretty impressive people, but the thought of all that just made me tired. I have always wondered if my temperament could sustain such expectations. Then, I began to have concerns about conducting the typical personality-centered, program-heavy, and success-oriented church. Was that even me? Does is it have to be this way? Must I wear every hat in the house to be a good pastor? And so you can imagine my excitement as Peterson began addressing these issues one by one. With clarity and even elegance he went through and beautifully articulated a vision of the pastorate that looks human... that looks doable. One that's not so demanding and unrealistic. Much hope and wisdom was infused into my bones. I needed this read. It did my soul good. As I sat reading in my easy chair, it seemed that Peterson sat directly across from me. We had a great conversation; he talked mostly, I listened. It was close to poetry. If nothing else shimmering nuggets of wisdom. Thanks Eugene for the excellent talk. You've been an answer to prayer.
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Apr 26, 2012 Tim rated it 5 of 5 stars

Peterson's The Pastor is not a perfect and literary memoir. It is too episodic at times, has some rough edges, and does not let us get to know characters other than Peterson and his wife that well. But despite such criticism it is a remarkable book that digs into the nature of church leadership and even more importantly into the nature of the church. For Peterson has really written a kind of lived ecclesiology here, opening up deep understandings of worship and preaching and congregational life,...more

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Dec 14, 2011 Ben Zajdel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Eugene Peterson is well-known in the Christian world, and is probably most famous for translating The Message. He is also the author of numerous books, and for most of his life, has been a pastor.

The Pastor is Peterson's memoir, along with insights on what it means to be a pastor. From his childhood in Montana to beginning his career in New York to a pastorate in Maryland, we are treated to the thoughts and memories of Peterson throughout his life.

This is like two books in one--a biography of...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Bethany rated it 4 of 5 stars

I can't say I've ever before considered the distinction between an autobiography and a memoir. But reading them simultaneously, I can see the difference and fell in love with memoir style. It's more heart than head, more process than fact.

The only thing I really knew of Eugene Peterson before this book was his role in translating The Message. Through this book, I got a glimpse into the person and the process, the things that formed him and prepared the way.

I love that he started on a path (neve...more

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Aug 08, 2011 Sean rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christianity, memoir

Having read a few of Peterson’s books already I picked up an understanding that being a pastor was different than what I and a lot of other people have experienced with pastors. Peterson doesn’t worry about all the glitz and the glamour, though he was tempted with it at times early on. He focused on what being a pastor meant to a specific group of people that he would be sharing his life with. Learning that there were going to be gives and takes but that his main goal was to create a space and t...more

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Dec 01, 2011 Nicki M rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: lovers of memoirs/biography

Shelves: american, audiobook, biography, eugene-peterson, christian, christianaudio, for-review, memoir

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audio, there is so much depth to it that it can be listened to many times. I loved hearing the stories from Eugene Peterson’s childhood in Montana and as he got to grips with becoming a pastor. I love his honesty with the things he’s struggled with in his vocation, I also liked the way he described the changing face of the church in America through the years he was pastoring.
I had only heard of him in connection with ‘The Message Bible‘, so its been an fas...more

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Apr 19, 2011 Tom rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: pastoral-leadership, biography

Comfort food for the pastor's soul; challenging fare for a would-be messenger of the gospel. Peterson, best known as the translator of The Message paraphrase of the Bible, writes a beautiful memoir of life as a pastor.
Invisible six days a week; Incomprehensible the seventh - what exactly does a pastor do (and be)?
Peterson is our sage mentor, as his life of service strove to keep the vocation of pastor inoculated against the individualizing, consumerization of the pastoral calling (and church) i...more

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May 20, 2013 Jordan Constantine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: pastoral

There is an imagination and language that Peterson has steeped himself in as he sees butcher shops, badlands, mowing lawns, and churches in basements as places where God plays that I grew hungry for in the reading. Finding appropriate ways to find himself and his church in the stories of Acts and Revelation, Peterson is fruitful in showing how a pastor draws people into the story of Scripture without making them the main character. I think that's rather a theme of the Christian memoir -- an acco...more

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Jan 29, 2012 Joostnixon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There is something really... good about Eugene Peterson. He has an aversion to pastoral primping and preening that makes me want to stand on a chair and shout "Glory!" He seems very God-centered--at least devotionally. But unless I misunderstand him badly, I wouldn't want him for my pastor. There are discernment issues, and then there are certain of the more distasteful parts of pastoring that he finds...distasteful. But those parts are necessary for spiritual health. He seems a man of courage,...more

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Sep 09, 2011 Jeremy rated it 4 of 5 stars

As the title suggests, this is more a vocational autobiography than a straight memoir, and that leaves gaps in parts of Peterson's personal story that beg to be filled in (l kept waiting for more about his own children, discussion of struggle in his marriage, etc). But the overall arc of Peterson's discovery of his pastoral calling is beautiful, encouraging and incredibly instructive for anyone thinking about calling and vocation, including, especially, pastors or those thinking of pursuing voca...more

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Nov 27, 2011 Tom rated it 5 of 5 stars

Every summer while on vacation, I find a book "by accident." In 2011, this was the book. I had read other material by Peterson and liked it, but reading his memoirs makes his other works come more alive.
Some have complained that there is some repetition, but I think that is bound to happen when you write as much as he has.
I like his down to earth style and the "realness" of this book. As a pastor who needed encouragement, this book spoke to me. If you serve in leadership in a church, especially...more

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Aug 07, 2011 John rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a fine, beautifully written memoir by Eugene Peterson, best known for his "The Message" translations of the Bible. But it gets a little boring. Peterson has lived a meaningful, impactful life, but not one that necessarily makes for interesting reading. It is more interesting reading about his life BEFORE he settled in as a pastor than about his life AFTER.
Actually, his childhood in Montana is the most interesting part. Here's an excerpt from when he was in first grade. He was being bulli...more

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Apr 05, 2012 Gavin Breeden rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-books

Eugene Peterson has had quite a profound impact on my life as a pastor simply because he wrote the excellent book, "The Contemplative Pastor," which came to me at exactly the right moment in life and I've since re-read multiple times. It gave me a perspective on ministry that I didn't know existed and it really helped confirm my own calling to the pastoral vocation. I don't agree with Peterson on everything (in fact, we disagree on some fairly big issues) and I haven't agreed with every word of...more Eugene Peterson has had quite a profound impact on my life as a pastor simply because he wrote the excellent book, "The Contemplative Pastor," which came to me at exactly the right moment in life and I've since re-read multiple times. It gave me a perspective on ministry that I didn't know existed and it really helped confirm my own calling to the pastoral vocation. I don't agree with Peterson on everything (in fact, we disagree on some fairly big issues) and I haven't agreed with every word of any of his books including this one, but his writing on pastoral theology is almost second to none in my estimation.

"The Pastor" is Peterson's memoir about his life as a (you guessed it) pastor. He opens with stories from his childhood and early life and how he was being developed to be a pastor long before he knew that's what he was meant to do. He goes through the exciting times of planting a church, "the badlands years" of ministerial fatigue and frustration, the years of blessing, and finally his post-church life being a pastor through pen and lectern.

Peterson is a tremendous writer and I throughly enjoyed reading this book. You feel like you're sitting in his home and he's telling you stories from his life. Some are funny, some are sad, but he's able to draw out powerful insights from nearly all of them. He criticizes the American Church's obsession with entertainment, emotionalism, and consumerism (including the invitation you see everywhere nowadays: come to our church on Sunday and enjoy our "worship experience"). He gives tons of great advice for guys like me who are just starting out as pastors and really have no idea what we're doing. He emphasizes that a pastor ought to be unbusy, contemplative, and patient. He reminds us to be grateful where God has placed us (this nugget, like many in the book, could be equally helpful for both pastor and congregant).

But if there's one idea that kind of rises to the top again and again it's the idea of calling/vocation. Peterson reiterates that his vocation is being a pastor, but his job is something different. God gives you your vocation, whichever church you're working for gives you your job. But this idea is one that I think would be helpful for all Christians to consider. Your vocation and your job are two distinct things, don't confuse them. God gives you a calling or vocation, whether that is as an artist, mother, writer, pastor, doctor, homemaker, teacher, etc. and your job is the place that you go to practice your vocation. This idea was immensely helpful to me in thinking about my own pastoral identity.

I underlined, circled, and noted a lot of stuff in this book. It's definitely one that I'll return to. But it wasn't perfect. After giving us such a thorough look at his life and ministry, he kind of presses the fast forward button at the end of the book and skips over quite a bit (or so it seemed). Of course, perhaps he just didn't feel there was as much to share from that era of his life. Also, Peterson occasionally has this tendency to use some flowery, poetic language that sometimes sounds to me like meaningless abstractions (I've felt this about all of his books), but I'm willing to concede that this is likely a deficiency on the part of the reader.

Obviously, this book is most applicable to pastors and those working in some kind of ministry context (I wish I could put this book [and a couple other Peterson books] in the hands of every pastor in America), but I think there's a lot here for non-pastors to enjoy as well, particularly if you're familiar with Peterson's work and enjoy his writing. It works well both as memoir and as a book of pastoral theology.

I'll count this as another Peterson book that came to me at exactly the right moment.(less)

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Sep 14, 2011 J.E. Jr. rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: pastors, church members, church leaders

Recommended to J.E. by: Matt Redmond, Lee Ferguson

Shelves: pastoral-ministry

As expected, this book was excellent. Peterson’s honesty about his own humble path to becoming the pastor he was and is, in his simple description of how it came to pass, makes it seem that God could guide any pastor along a similar path. And in fact, that’s the point: our work and vocation as pastors is not all that different from one another, and Peterson’s portrayal of the life he has lived, and the lessons he has learned, as a pastor is not meant to be self-aggrandizing, but affirming of oth...more

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Dec 27, 2012 David Pierce rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have always been amazed by Eugene Peterson. While I do not share all of his theological views, I greatly identify with his love to communicate the gospel. I read this book twice, it was that good to me. I will probably read it again. As a pastor of a local congregation in a small community he reconnects me with the love of people and stories of grace. I would highly recommend this book to anyone in the ministry, considering the ministry, or relating to a pastor.

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Sep 14, 2011 Ryan Adair rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography, pastoral-ministry

It is hard for me to contain my excitement about this book. From Pentecostalism to Presbyterianism, Eugene Peterson's memoir about life as a pastor is fantastic. He shares so much about what a pastor is, his own journey of becoming one, and how he learned to slow down, becoming attentive to the Scriptures and the people's lives, living in the present with them. Peterson's writing style is beautiful, and his book is an invitation for pastors do just that—pastor. This is a book that is definitely...more

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Mar 28, 2011 James rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: pastoral, biography, memoir, favorites

Absolutely beautiful. Years before I went to seminary, Eugene Peterson was already shaping my imagination of what the Pastoral vocation looks like and his books imparted to me, his particular brand of earthy spirituality. What I loved about this book, is that while many of the stories were new, some were familiar from other parts of his corpus. Here, I saw a fresh the soil in which Peterson was formed. There are parts of this book that I want to read and re-read.

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Nov 21, 2012 Derek rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was for me a breath of fresh air.

The Pastor is a memoir-styled look at Eugene Peterson’s 28 years of pastoral ministry. He chronicles his call, his tenure, his lifestyle in and departure from pastoring. As a pastor myself, I found his observations insightful and inspiring. Here are a few things I appreciated about this book. (continue reading...)

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Apr 13, 2011 Adam Shields rated it 5 of 5 stars

Short review: I love Eugene Peterson. I think he is a voice to this generation that is unmatched in its sense of understanding of scripture of a story that is intended to speak to the average person. This is his memoir of how he became a pastor and what he learned about being a pastor. He was a pastor of one church that he started for 29 years before he retired to work full time on the Message Bible. I have read a lot of books about being a pastor, my whole family is basically pastors, but this...more

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May 14, 2012 Kate Robertson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Eugene Peterson completely changed my perception of the inside life of a pastor. Pastor's always seem to be a tower of confidence, and with great intelligence, authority, and charming humility, Peterson's book details a life of doubt and stumbling as he walks closer to God and leads a congregation in his walk. As an aspiring pastor, I can only hope to mirror his reliance on God.

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Apr 14, 2013 Lyndon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Peterson is only one of a few people who I can entrust the word and vocation of 'pastor' to. This is not because is the best pastor around; rather, he combines the critical engagement of a Nietzsche with the depth of St. John of the Cross that results in naming the life of a 'pastor' without sentimentality or the cultural thinness of consumerist (or instrumentalist) logic.

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Mar 12, 2013 Trent Redmann rated it 5 of 5 stars

My heart resonated with Eugene. In this book, he provides an inside look at his journey as a pastor. I am nearing half-time in my pastoral journey. This book brings fresh color to the endless challenges and joys of ministry. Eugene reminded me that my role is not to fix people, but to enter into a story where our lives are intertwined as we follow our master.

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Apr 04, 2011 Dave Hornor rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography, spiritual-formation

Finally! I've been waiting for Peterson to write this book for a long time, hoping to get more insight into his work as a pastor. Knowing what I know of him, I'm guessing he deliberately waited to do this so that no one would try to copy him. There are no dittos in pastors, either, I suppose.

I would never have guessed, for example, that Christ Our King Presbyterian Church had small groups. Seems way too faddish for Peterson. And yet they did (and perhaps still do). I find this affirming, since...more

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Sep 14, 2011 Sara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography

Wonderful memoir - thorough, insightful, honest, creative, encouraging. Eugene Peterson must be in his eighties now and has a tempered perspective on his life and work that is invaluable. I come from a church background that is pretty narrow in its theology and practice, so I'm thankful for books like this one that grow my understanding and respect for other traditions. Peterson reflects a lot on developing a spiritual understanding of his vocation, but I wouldn't restrict my recommendation of t...more

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Dec 08, 2012 Tim rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography

Excellent memoirs focusing on Peterson's early, formative years of discovering his call to pastoring. Many good stories about his 30 years of planting and pastoring a single church in Maryland. He brings the vocation down to earth, sharing about quirky people, practicing sabbath, and finding balance in life.

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Dec 22, 2012 Nick Hsieh rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was given this book during my first year of vocational ministry and I found it immensely encouraging to read Peterson's journey in pastoral ministry as well as to learn a little bit about his background and personal story. It is a personal narrative that is salted with much wisdom. I enjoyed it.

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Jan 09, 2012 Katy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction, religion

This book is a simple, beautiful meditation on spirituality. It's a book by a pastor, about pastors, but to say that it's only for pastors would be a shame. His stories illuminate God and our relationship with him in a way that is worshipful and brings us closer to holy ground.

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About Eugene H. Peterson

Eugene H. Peterson is a pastor, scholar, author, and poet. For many years he was James M. Houston Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College. He also served as founding pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland. He has written over thirty books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language a contemporary translation of t...more

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Books by Eugene H. Peterson

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society

Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology

Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading

The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction (The Pastoral series, #4)

The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways That Jesus Is the Way

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“The vocation of pastor(s) has been replaced by the strategies of religious entrepreneurs with business plans.” — 4 people liked it

“I was astonished to learn in one of these best-selling books (on church life) that the size of my church parking lot had far more to do with how things fared in my congregation than my choice of texts in preaching. I was being lied to and I knew it.” — 2 people liked it

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