Five smooth stones for pastoral work - Eugene H. Peterson

Whereas much of the current literature on pastoring stresses up-to-date training and new techniques stemming from the behavioral sciences, Eugene Peterson here calls for returning to an "old" resource--the Bible--as the basis for all of pastoral ministry.

Originally published in 1980 and now being reprinted to meet continuing demand,Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Workshows how five Old Testament books provide a solid foundation for much of what a pastor does:

• Prayer-Directing: Song of Songs
• Story-Making: Ruth
• Pain-Sharing: Lamentations
• Nay-Saying: Ecclesiastes
• Community-Building: Esther

Pointing to the relevance of ancient wisdom, adapting Jewish religious tradition to contemporary pastoral practice, and affirming a significant link between pastoral work and the act of worship, this book opens up to pastors a wealth of valuable practical-theological insights.