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Review
"Dipping again into John Pritchard's The Life and Work of a Priest for this review reminded me what a remarkable, wise, and humane book it is. It covers just about everything parish life might throw at clergy. Well, not quite everything. If you're troubled by sylvan revels or cohabiting bandits, I'm afraid you're on your own." - Paul Handley, Church Times --Paul Handley, Church Times
Product Description
In this lively and hopeful volume, John Pritchard realistically maps out the life and work of those called to serve God in the ordained ministry. He looks in turn at the only three things he believes need be of concern: the glory of God, the pain of the world, and the renewal of the Church. From these flow the priest's many roles, such as spiritual explorer, multi-lingual interpreter, wounded companion, friendly irritant, creative leader and mature risk-taker. This book pays homage to Robert Martineau's The Office and Work of a Priest, published in 1972, and much valued as a wise account of the duties of a priest at that time. "Dipping again into John Pritchard's The Life and Work of a Priest for this review reminded me what a remarkable, wise, and humane book it is. It covers just about everything parish life might throw at clergy. Well, not quite everything. If you're troubled by sylvan revels or cohabiting bandits, I'm afraid you're on your own." Paul Handley, Church Times
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
85 of 85 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This little book is full of wisdom about the life and work of a priest, (essentially one in the Church of England) in all sorts of areas. It has short, lucid chapters on a range of areas, including preaching, personal organisation, attentive listening, theological reflection, prayer etc..
What it doesn't do is come up with a 'silver bullet' answer, finding the core around which people can define priesthood.
Rather, what Pritchard does is balance an essentially ontological understanding of priesthood (i.e. a priest is something a person is, rather than a job that a person does) with a high view of all the functional things vicars in particular are asked to do.
For example, the paperwork on your desk is not mindless 'red tape' to be scorned: rather, it should be seen as "pastoral work", as invariably each bit of paper is a request/ a need from a particular person: "what you do to the least of these bits of paper, you do to me".
The consequence is that he never privileges one aspect of ministry over another on the basis that one of the two is actually far more important.
Priests should be able to read the signs of the times AND make the worship they lead accessible to newcomers AND go on retreat once a year AND be pastoral ministers who listen "not just to the bassline of the conversation but also the melody" AND collaborate ecumenically AND look for joined up projects with government AND work together with the laity AND keep up with theological developments AND prioritise their family life AND allow outside interests to flourish AND limit themselves to a 50 hour week.
Even just listing those necessary attributes can make a priest feel a bit overwhelmed. There is a weakness to the lack of prioritisation: the task remains endless.
And yet...
this book doesn't feel overwhelming when you read it. There is a generosity at its heart, and a homeliness to his expressions (even when there's a depth of theology behind them) that makes it highly readable, and supportive.
It's made me reconsider my ministry, and it's the book I would now recommend for reading first, by anyone considering ordination as a priest in the Church of England (ahead of say, Michael Ramsey's "The Christian Priest Today" or Steve Croft's "Ministry in Three Dimensions").
It's realistic, but also wise. Above all, it rings true.
What it doesn't do is come up with a 'silver bullet' answer, finding the core around which people can define priesthood.
Rather, what Pritchard does is balance an essentially ontological understanding of priesthood (i.e. a priest is something a person is, rather than a job that a person does) with a high view of all the functional things vicars in particular are asked to do.
For example, the paperwork on your desk is not mindless 'red tape' to be scorned: rather, it should be seen as "pastoral work", as invariably each bit of paper is a request/ a need from a particular person: "what you do to the least of these bits of paper, you do to me".
The consequence is that he never privileges one aspect of ministry over another on the basis that one of the two is actually far more important.
Priests should be able to read the signs of the times AND make the worship they lead accessible to newcomers AND go on retreat once a year AND be pastoral ministers who listen "not just to the bassline of the conversation but also the melody" AND collaborate ecumenically AND look for joined up projects with government AND work together with the laity AND keep up with theological developments AND prioritise their family life AND allow outside interests to flourish AND limit themselves to a 50 hour week.
Even just listing those necessary attributes can make a priest feel a bit overwhelmed. There is a weakness to the lack of prioritisation: the task remains endless.
And yet...
this book doesn't feel overwhelming when you read it. There is a generosity at its heart, and a homeliness to his expressions (even when there's a depth of theology behind them) that makes it highly readable, and supportive.
It's made me reconsider my ministry, and it's the book I would now recommend for reading first, by anyone considering ordination as a priest in the Church of England (ahead of say, Michael Ramsey's "The Christian Priest Today" or Steve Croft's "Ministry in Three Dimensions").
It's realistic, but also wise. Above all, it rings true.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Excellent book well written in small bits so that one can put it down and easily return to it.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Amen to what the last reviewer said! In a nutshell - this is an easy to read and relate to book, sharing the inside life of an Anglican vicar. If you are contemplating the calling on your life into ministry, then this is a most excellent starting point!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
a good read
i read this book as a result of a recommendation and as part of preparation for christian ministry. every page spoke of a challenging and inspirational calling. Read more
Published 1 month ago by david Bates
Would be ordinand
Very practical realistic advise and food for thought for anyone considering ordination or indeed anyone already ordained. Forward looking focus and accessible reading style. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Sally
A clear voice in the confusion of my mind
Many people looking at this book will be in the early stages of working out if the nagging, persistent voice in their head is the calling of God into ordained ministry of some... Read more
Published 11 months ago by A. M. Mullett
Life and work of a priest
An excellent book for those considering ministry in the church -the chapter on preaching is one of the best Ive read on this subject. Read more
Published 11 months ago by barbara
Calm reflection
This is an excellent, thoughtful book. Very well written. The structure is considered. The author sticks to each topic, keeping the reader engaged throughout with succinct... Read more
Published 15 months ago by JamesS
Excellent Read
This is a humerous, theological and practical view of the life and work of a priest. I am happy to recommend it to new clergy and those going through the discernment process.
Published on 30 May 2010 by yammy
The Life and Work of a Priest
Easy to read, a must for those exploring ordained ministry and vocation. Every chapter is facinating and challenging. It is a "working" book full of challenges and reflections. Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2010 by J. Slavic
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