M. Craig Barnes - Diary of a Pastors Soul: The Holy Moments in a Life of Ministry

Pastors know that theres no one who understands the particular challenges and joys of ministry better than Craig Barnes. When you read this diary, Craigs delight in, exasperation with, and love for the church is manifest. Hes had a privileged look at us from his vantage as pastor, preacher, teacher, and our nations most prominent seminary president. Has this preacher got a way with words! In this rich collection of some of Craigs best thoughts on the Christian ministry, pastors will find much encouragement and guidance, and anybody else will discover why the pastoral ministry is such a serious, joyful, demanding, and ultimately fulfilling vocation.

Will Willimon , United Methodist Bishop (retired); Duke Divinity School; author of Accidental Preacher: A Memoir

A wise mentor once told me that, apart from a theology of vocation, being a pastor is the best job in the world. In any given week, a pastor is a scholar, author, teacher, counselor, entrepreneur, and manager of a small business. In addition, people invite a pastor into the most sacred, joyful, and intimate spaces and times in life. In this fascinating and beautifully written book, Craig Barnes, employing a creative format, lovingly reveals the challenges and privileged blessings of the pastoral vocation. I found myself nodding in recognition at his insights on the loss of Saturday night, doing a wedding for a nonbeliever, and the Vows section of the Sunday New York Times being surprisingly short on traditional church weddings presided over by a pastor. I smiled as well at his description of the Blessed Church Lady and the congregant who, during the greeting after worship, suggested that he find a new barber. Craig Barnes loves being a pastor and finds surprising grace even in ordinary ecclesiastical minutiae. I couldnt put the book down.

John M. Buchanan , former editor and publisher, the Christian Century

Craig Barnes offers readers a diary full of grace and truth about pastoral ministry. His writing is a salve for the human soul. But more than that, the Holy haunts this book.

Luke A. Powery , Duke University

Craig Barnes has more gifts than anyone has a right to have, and many of them shine in Diary of a Pastor s Soul : simple and beautiful eloquence, spiritual poignancy and finesse, brilliance in vulnerability, predictability woven in with surprise, and hope that knows the inseparability of sorrow and laughter. The meal Barnes offers us is served up like a harvest of ordinary ruminations from a pastors soul. It gradually turns out, however, to be more like sitting at Babettes feast, prepared by one specially gifted by God to show us how local and seasonal ingredients of pain, beauty, and faith can be more than enough to reveal a table that is actually laden with truth and gracefor the people and even for the pastor. Take and eat.

Mark Labberton , president, Fuller Theological Seminary