Written by Justin Wainscott, associate dean and assistant professor of ministry at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, and interim pastor of First Baptist Church Rutherford, Tennessee
I remember the first and only time I heard Eugene Peterson in person. He came to preach in one of our chapel services when I was a seminary student at Beeson Divinity School. I regret to admit it, but at the time, I had a dismissive view of Peterson based on my misconceptions and faulty assumptions about his popular Bible paraphrase, The Message.
But listening to Peterson that day, I quickly realized I was wrong about him. Very wrong. Two things became immediately clear during his sermon: (1) Peterson loved and treasured God’s Word, and (2) he was a humble, faithful pastor who cared deeply about shepherding God’s people.
A year or two later, when I began serving in my first pastorate, I purchased a copy of Working the Angles from a used bookstore. I vividly remember where I was sitting when I read the book’s introduction. I pored over every paragraph, thinking, Yes! He gets it. Here was a vision for pastoral ministry rooted in the Scriptures and illustrated in church history that deeply resonated with me. I thought back to that day in seminary when I entered chapel and wondered again at how wrong I was.
In the years since then, I’ve recommended Peterson’s books on pastoral ministry to numerous pastors. Often my recommendation is met with the same dismissive attitude I once had. But for those who will take the time to read Peterson, though areas of disagreement may remain, there’s almost always agreement on the value and benefit of his pastoral vision.
Pastor, I hope you’ll read him and come to the same conclusion.
–Justin
