A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original review appears below. John Vaudry is the minister of St. Andrew’s Church in Wingham, Ontario.
Pastor to Pastor. Erwin W. Lutzer. Chicago: Moody Press. 1987; 140pp.
Perplexed by many of the theological and ecclesiastical trends of our time? Tired of dealing with problem people in the congregation? Feeling “burn-out” can’t be too far away? Take a break, pastor, and read this down-to-earth, practical little book by Erwin Lutzer, a graduate of Winnipeg Bible College who now serves as Senior Minister of Moody Memorial Church in Chicago.
Here are twenty short chapters (were they originally magazine articles as the back cover hints?) on problems frequently encountered by ministers. Such topics as preaching, worship, priorities, failure and how to relate to clergy who become involved in scandal are dealt with helpfully. Not that there is anything particularly new or original in all this – it’s standard conservative stuff. But it is biblically-based and presented in a fresh, sincere and sensitive way.
Lutzer writes, of course, primarily for Christians south of the border, having in mind, it seems a constituency who belong to independent, baptistic, evangelical churches. Canadian Presbyterians should then be prepared to be puzzled on occasion by a reference to a problem or practice which is foreign to our ethos. Lutzer, however, stands pretty close to Reformed theology. Some of his readers may be surprised by his comments on the American religious scene. His candid questioning of the practice of giving “invitations” in evangelistic preaching, for example, may well raise some eyebrows. Lutzer feels many have come to confuse “going forward” with receiving Christ, and urges preachers to stress that coming to Christ is a spiritual act, not a physical movement. His cautions here are wise, and one wonders how this respected leader’s open criticism of a deeply entrenched practice will be received in American evangelicalism.
Lutzer’s book might well inspire a young minister with biblical ideals or prove a tonic for the more experienced. But it’s not for “the cloth” only. This is good reading for anyone concerned about the Church and its ministry.