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The Sacred Wilderness of Pastoral Ministry: Preparing a People for the Presence of the Lord
Pastors often find themselves struggling to survive in the wilderness of the contemporary church scene. How do they remain faithful in light of the marginalization of organized religion, denominational strife, rapid demographic change, falling numbers and a general malaise among church members? Many pastors feel helpless, others hopeless. Sociologists and pollsters diagnose the problem but can't seem to come up with a solution. Is there hope? Author and pastor David Rohrer believes there is. John the Baptist also lived in the wilderness, yet crowds journeyed there to hear him. Why? Because John "affirmed what people already that they were in desperate need of something more than the mundane practices of a religion that had been cut off from its source of life." John called people to remember their covenant relationship with God, which was established in the wilderness, and to let God guide them once again across the Jordan and into the Promised Land. Pastors, says Rohrer, "don't primarily exist to build and maintain the institution of the church. We exist to do a particular work through the church. In short, we don't simply have an institution to create, refine or maintain; we have a gospel to preach." John's prophetic voice prepared hearts to be receptive to Christ's work among them, to be transformed by the power of God. Herein lies hope! Using illustrations from everyday church life and decades of ministry experience, Rohrer carefully crafts a lively and realistic pastoral theology for ministry in the sacred wilderness. If you are a new pastor you have a sure guide here. If you are a veteran preacher you'll find just the refresher course you need to invigorate your ministry.
180 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
11 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 7, 2013
David Rohrer thinks many pastors have abandoned their true calling of preparing a people for God to "build churches." The "sacred wilderness" to which he refers is the wilderness in which John the Baptist carried out his ministry of preparing the way of the Lord. Rohrer uses the experience of his first pastorate to reflect upon the temptations that can divert pastors from this calling. In the process, he spears all the trendy movements to which congregations have been subjected over the last thirty years--vision-casting, programming, "relevance", and so much more.
He concludes:
"We are not here to save the church. Our work is catalytic. Like a catalyst, it has value in that it fosters a reaction. Yet people will not remember what we said so much as they will remember what God did when we said it. Our delivery of the message has a shelf life. But if we don't deliver it, who will? If we don't take up the call God places on our hearts to invite people to consider truth that is bigger tan themselves, then we miss out. We miss out on the incredible blessing and affirmation of participating in what God is doing."
My prayer is that churches who are blessed with pastors like this will recognize the favor of God and open their hearts. I've seen churches spurn this gift in the quest for the false gods of success only to come to grief--and grieve godly shepherds (and their families). For this reason, I would commend this book not only to pastors but to search committees and church leaders.
He concludes:
"We are not here to save the church. Our work is catalytic. Like a catalyst, it has value in that it fosters a reaction. Yet people will not remember what we said so much as they will remember what God did when we said it. Our delivery of the message has a shelf life. But if we don't deliver it, who will? If we don't take up the call God places on our hearts to invite people to consider truth that is bigger tan themselves, then we miss out. We miss out on the incredible blessing and affirmation of participating in what God is doing."
My prayer is that churches who are blessed with pastors like this will recognize the favor of God and open their hearts. I've seen churches spurn this gift in the quest for the false gods of success only to come to grief--and grieve godly shepherds (and their families). For this reason, I would commend this book not only to pastors but to search committees and church leaders.
November 30, 2020
Reading this book was a cathartic experience. Rohrer well captures the personal and spiritual challenges of being a pastor. His honesty, frankness, and being a bit sacrosanct feel freeing as a reader. It wasn’t necessarily a book that brought a lot of intellectual rigor or new information, but rather, Rohrer gave voice to my inner life and helped me feel not so alone. He’s offered me the gift of being a companion who helps me hold the work more loosely when my heart is anxious, while reminding me it’s okay to keep going—to continue speaking with a prophetic voice even when it’s hard.
March 5, 2018
David puts his finger on many of the challenging aspects of ministry. As a new pastor, I appreciate his wisdom and candor.
July 23, 2013
Here is a book that seeks to remind us what the pastorate is really all about as we live in a world where pastors have lost their way. As he says, “We have a gospel to preach.” He uses John the Baptist to share these concepts with us. He places an emphasis where it should be: we are “preparing a people for the presence of the Lord.”
He warns against turning into a pretender. He says, “… we occasionally fall prey to those insecure moments when we allow the approval and disdain of our congregations to define us. When this happens, our goal in ministry degrades into making people happy or avoiding their wrath.”
When he writes about conflict, he gives great help. He shows that we often blow it because we see the conflict as against us personally and not against the Lord. That error will greatly raise your stress level.
He ends asking us if we can be like John and let it be only about Christ. This is likely the worst mistake we could make to fail here. He also says, “Yet humility allows us to acknowledge that neither the complimentary accolades nor the derisive criticisms are ever the final evaluations of our ministry.”
This is a great book!
He warns against turning into a pretender. He says, “… we occasionally fall prey to those insecure moments when we allow the approval and disdain of our congregations to define us. When this happens, our goal in ministry degrades into making people happy or avoiding their wrath.”
When he writes about conflict, he gives great help. He shows that we often blow it because we see the conflict as against us personally and not against the Lord. That error will greatly raise your stress level.
He ends asking us if we can be like John and let it be only about Christ. This is likely the worst mistake we could make to fail here. He also says, “Yet humility allows us to acknowledge that neither the complimentary accolades nor the derisive criticisms are ever the final evaluations of our ministry.”
This is a great book!
March 21, 2014
The bottom line: A must-read for anyone involved in pastoral ministry.
The Sacred Wilderness of Pastoral Ministry resolves the dilemma of how pastoral leaders can remain true to the gospel, while recognizing all the internal and external pressures in the church and world that pull many church leaders away from the divine truth. By using John the Baptist as a prime example, Rohrer invites all those in pastoral ministry to remain hopeful and not let their gazes to be drawn away from their ultimate goal—to proclaim a message that invites all those who will receive it to draw closer to, and engage in a stronger relationship with, God. Rohrer makes it very clear ... http://www.chesadaphal.com/sacred-wil...
The Sacred Wilderness of Pastoral Ministry resolves the dilemma of how pastoral leaders can remain true to the gospel, while recognizing all the internal and external pressures in the church and world that pull many church leaders away from the divine truth. By using John the Baptist as a prime example, Rohrer invites all those in pastoral ministry to remain hopeful and not let their gazes to be drawn away from their ultimate goal—to proclaim a message that invites all those who will receive it to draw closer to, and engage in a stronger relationship with, God. Rohrer makes it very clear ... http://www.chesadaphal.com/sacred-wil...
August 27, 2012
Who would have thought to use John the Baptist as a model for pastoral ministry? Apparently, David Rohrer. Insightful, provocative, challenging. Solid reflections on both the texts (dealing with John) and pastoral life itself. Offering personal confession and reflection, Rohrer opens the door for any minister to see more clearly what God might be doing in his/her life.
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December 4, 2012My review of The Sacred Wilderness of Pastoral Ministry is available here.
July 2, 2013
If you are a a pastor and your work is with the People of God this is must read. If for no other reason than that Rohrer reminds of who and what our work of pastors is about. I'll give you a hint, it's not about us.
August 30, 2012
An insightful and encouraging book. It will definitely be one I return to again and again.
September 19, 2012
Excellent! He did a very compelling job using John the Baptist for a paradigm for ministry. Such an encouraging read right now.
March 28, 2014
A wonderful short reflection on the internal pressures of pastoring. It is surprising, instructive and comforting.
May 2, 2015
Very helpful for pastors/leaders who live in the midst of church ministry. Helped me see my own calling and vocation more clearly.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews