Life + Faith

Tag: Ministry

  • My Top Books of 2025

    At the end of each year I provide a list of what I consider to be the best books I’ve read for the past 12 months. Here is this year’s contribution.

    I find reading a pastime that helps me focus, engage, and get away from other things in life. Whether I’m reading another Michael Connolly novel, dipping into a commentary for preaching preparation, or reading about an aspect of leadership and pastoral ministry, I find myself ticking through books throughout the year. Some of these are in audio form, but to be honest, I just find the feel of paper and taking the time to slow down with pages in front of me more relaxing and helpful.

    This year I’ve read quite solidly. I continue to have a novel on the go all the time, and have concentrated my Christian reading on things I’ve needed to prepare for at church and spiritual habits I’d like to grow in. Reading about systems, productivity, and making the most of my time has also been something that has continued this year.

    Below is a list of all the books I gave 5 stars to on Goodreads. I think everyone should read them. They are in no particular order, but I might be more enthusiastic about one or two over the rest. Enjoy.

    Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Timothy J. Keller

    Ok, so if I have to have a favourite for the year then this would be it.

    Prayer, and the inspiration to pray, and the realisation for the need to pray has been growing in me for some time. This book puts words and theology around how great prayer really is. The ability to come to God, to speak to Him, and to have an ongoing relationship with Him, is a powerful part of being a Christian. Keller gives great background to prayer, the need for it and more of it, and guidance in how we might come to God in different circumstances. A great read.

    Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

    I reckon this is one of the best time management books around. Rather than simply teaching habits and strategies Burkeman makes us realise that these ‘hacks’ won’t actually help us accomplish the kind of life we want to live. Instead, Burkeman is realistic, and highlights that we should be embracing our limitations and constraints in life and time in order to live meaningfully within them. It’s a thought-provoking book, and he’s helpful to listen to via podcast too. Instead of striving for tweaks to life so that we might hit our goals and to-do-lists every so often, it’s about thinking about life in more depth and with deeper purpose. 

    Shepherding the Shepherd: Devotions for a Pastor’s Soul by Lee Eclov

    I was handed two volumes of these devotionals a little over a year ago. I have found them so helpful. Each Sunday morning as I do my final preparations for our Sunday morning service I am usually reading a page or two of these. Eclov writes for the pastor, and each one is really encouraging as we think about the role we have to play in the body of Christ. He doesn’t miss in challenge either, reminding us of the unique, joyful, perseverance required as shepherds. Originally written during the COVID years at Christianity Today, they would be a good gift for any pastor.

    The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

    These were fun little mystery stories from the classic hand of Arthur Conan Doyle. Old school in language, great characters and plot lines with Sherlock Holmes. Just a good classic read.

    The Work of The Pastor by William T. Still

    I’d never come across William Still before reading this book. He happens to be a 20th century minister of a church in Scotland and had a strong expository preaching ministry. Again, like Begg’s preaching book above, I found this a helpful volume as I stepped up into the senior leadership role. 

    This is part biography, part war stories, and part ministry tips. It’s not a long book, it’s full of examples that relate to anyone who has been in ministry for a while, and it provides insights to the work from a Scottish perspective. I was encouraged and inspired in parts as it reminded me of the main focus of pastoral ministry.

    Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome by R. Kent and Barbara Hughes

    Are you picking up a theme and what I’ve appreciated reading yet?

    This is another one of those books to help pastors. This tackles the various way our hearts and minds might deviate from what God has called us to be faithful with. It’s a relatively old book now, given the way there has been much more recent work written about sustainable ministry. However, it really is full of gold for the pastor. It’s a reminder of who we are in Christ, and what faithfulness to the task looks like. It’s biblically grounded, encouraging and challenging. Remember, it’s not about numbers it’s about faithfulness.

    Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression by Zack Eswine

    If you are ever in a flat spot, suffer depression, or a melancholic mind, then pick up this book and be encouraged. Spurgeon, the greatest and most prolific preacher in the world suffered from depression, and no doubt anxiety and other ailments as well. It’s surprising to many. But throughout his ministry he was cast down by all sorts of pressures, worries, and depressive thoughts. Yet, God still used him so greatly, and praise God for that.

    I was taken by this book and have now read it two or three times. It was of supreme encouragement to me. And whenever I hit a depressive spot in life and ministry I go here. Eswine writes well, using plenty of Spurgeon himself to frame how we might think of discipleship and depression. It was so good I ended up turning some of the ideas of this book into a sermon and a previous book review post.

    Your Old Testament Sermon Needs to Get Saved: A Handbook for Preaching Christ from the Old Testament by David M. King

    I had never preached an Old Testament narrative series before this year. I needed help. This was one of many good books out there on how to do so. We kicked off a series on the Life of Abraham, from Genesis 12-25 around July this year. In the lead up I knew I needed to get myself acquainted with the text and also with how to preach through such stories.

    This book, as you can probably tell from the title, speaks about the Old Testament and their stories through New Testament eyes. That is, we recognise that Christ is the central character of the Bible, Old Testament and New. In three parts, the why, how and what of preaching Christ from the Old Testament, King provides some good guidance in how to approach preaching with a Christology focus. The book is now dotted with annotations and dog-ears. And, perhaps the biggest rap of all is to say that the congregation benefitted from me reading this book and others like it.

    Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls: Learning the Art of Pastoral Ministry from the Church Fathers by Coleman M. Ford and Shawn J. Wilhite

    This is a great book that looks at the teachings and practices of the Church Fathers in relation to pastoral ministry. It looks at the virtues and spiritual life of the pastor, the theological vision of the pastor, and the ministry of the pastor through the lens of various Fathers. Each chapter, of which there are ten, highlights one of the early church leaders, gives a short bio on them, and then their ministry focus and its application for ministry today. I found it a refreshing way to think about pastoral ministry while also doing a little church history on the way through.

    Lead Smart: How to Build and Lead Highly Productive Teams and Smart Work: How to Increase Productivity, Achieve Balance and Reduce Stress by Dermot Crowley

    Both of these books got big ticks from me. Crowley is an Irish-Australian and so easy to read and listen to. I say listen to, as well, because after reading his three book series that these two come under I hunted down all sorts of podcasts and YouTube videos where he was interviewed about his ideas.

    I began with Lead Smart, wanting to improve and gain help in leadership, particularly around leading teams. And then I moved onto his other work, which include Smart Work, and this gives a good foundation for systematic productive work. These are the kinds of books I enjoy and soak up really, so it’s not surprise these two made the list.

    Zeal without Burnout by Christopher Ash

    This is a short book, and it’s full of impact. Anyone in ministry should really read this. Ash reminds us that we are finite and fragile. Through scripture and personal experiences he highlights the importance of sustainable ministry. As Ash addresses the risk of burnout he offers practical, wise, and compassionate advice that is grounded in God. I reckon I’ve read this a few times now. In different seasons it has had more impact. In the last little while it named things I hadn’t realised I was doing or experiencing before, and it has made me more self-aware of my experiences over the two years. 

    This now makes it 11 years where I’ve published my favourite books of the year. If you’re keen enough you can go back and have a read of previous years here: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, 2022, 2024. 

    My Top Books: Yearly Series
    2014
    2015
    2016
    2017
    2018
    2019
    2020
    2021
    2022
    2024
    2025 (this post)

  • The Ethics of AI: A Pastoral Reflection

    The Ethics of AI: A Pastoral Reflection

    AI is no longer just a buzzword or a new toy for those tech enthusiasts, is it? It’s here, beginning to expand its tentacles into our lives. Whether it’s at home, at work, our life admin, our church, and even our habits of thought and prayer, AI is making an impact. It’s fast. It’s smart (-ish). And if we’re honest, it can become slightly addictive. 

    Beyond the speed and fascination I’ve found myself asking some of those deeper questions about AI. Not about what it can do, but what it’s doing to me, to us. I’ve moved on from the question about whether it is right or wrong, and beginning to think through the way it forms me and my faith. What kind of person am I being shaped into, and is this coherent with the way of Jesus? 

    This is certainly not a how-to article on AI. Nor is it a listicle full of tips about the best apps or top tips in ethical AI use. Rather, it’s a reflection, a pastoral reflection seeking to bring to the top that question of, “Who am I becoming as I use this tech?”

    The reality is that tools don’t just serve us, they shape us. And AI, more than any other since the creation of the smartphone, is beginning to reach into parts of life where formation may already be fragile. 

    Worship Is Where Ethics Begins

    The starting point for Christian ethics is worship.

    Romans 12 doesn’t begin with behaviour. It begins with a posture drawn from the well of God. It says, 

    “In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices…”

    In other words, ethics isn’t just about what we do. It’s about how we live before God and who we are becoming because of God. It’s not just doing the ‘right’ things, it’s about the ‘who’ things. And so perhaps the first questions to ask ourselves is, “Is this helping me to live and worship and trust in God”? 

    This is where the hammer hits the nail for me. 

    AI, in all its cleverness, doesn’t only help me perform tasks. It makes me more efficient. It removes uncomfortable thinking, and sometimes thinking all together! And if I’m not careful it pushes me forward into a way of life that looks like a worldly hustle rather than the unhurried pace of the Spirit of God. 

    I’m not here to cry foul of all of AI, nor even say it is inherently wrong. I use it regularly. But I am saying we need to stop and reflect on how we are using it. I’m saying it’s worth watching closely its impact in not just our lives but in our hearts. If I don’t walk in the mercy of God, and stay firm in that foundation and identity, then I will find myself using these AI tools to keep producing and performing more and more. And I know if I walk that path then I’ll slowly but surely become less present to God, to others, and to myself. 

    The Promise and the Pushback

    A little while ago Kenny Jahng wrote an article called Beyond Binary Morality: How AI Challenges Traditional Christian Ethical Frameworks. It’s certainly worth your time to go and read. Kenny argues that AI reveals the limits of simple “right/wrong” categories. Algorithms, after all, aren’t choosing between good and evil by they’re weighing trade-offs, running probabilities, and calculating complexity.

    And in many ways, I agree with him. Wisdom in our time requires nuance (as it always has, no doubt). Neat moral boxes are beginning to be stretched for us, there is complexity and complication when thinking through Christian ethics of AI. 

    Where I found myself gently pushing back on this article, however, was the idea that AI might be the solution to pastoral overwhelm. As Kenny writes, many pastors feel burdened by tasks that don’t require their spiritual gifts—like creating policy and guidelines, doing administration, or making decisions on future projects and ministries without experience. Some of these aren’t soul-shaping tasks but just the cost of managing and navigating church life in the modern day. 

    AI, he argues, can be a relief valve.

    And he’s right, it can. It has been for me, in some areas of ministry. I’ve used it to help structure content, bring creativity to my thinking about ministry areas, and provide clearer communication to the church. This has meant I’ve had more time to focus on people, to be creative, and I’ve even found more time for prayer. But I do acknowledge there is another side to this. 

    That other side, the shadow side, is the fact that AI doesn’t remove the overwhelm, it can accelerate it. 

    If I don’t deal with what’s happening in my heart, the time I’ve saved won’t go to the priorities of prayer and preaching and other elements of what I call ‘Wordwork’, it’ll go to more output. More tasks. More tweaks. More production. More performance.

    This is why I keep coming back to remember that ethics begins with worship. When my use of AI is grounded in worship of God then the posture I hold is one of submission, surrender, and obedience. When it flows out of a need to produce, to prove myself, or to perform in front of others then it becomes something else. 

    Something that promises rest but quietly feeds the restlessness.

    Babel and the Illusion of Control

    That story from Genesis 11 is one that lives rent free in my mind at the moment. 

    “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves…”

    The Tower of Babel is a story about autonomy. It’s about humans using their creativity not in response to God, but in competition with him.

    And I think it’s an image that speaks into our age of AI. Not because AI is evil, but because it tempts us to think like Babel: I can control more. I can create more. I can become more. 

    But we’re not created in God’s image to view our lives and all that it entails in this way. We’re not given such responsibility. We’re made to receive the mercy and grace of God. We’re made to live in communion with God, not as optimised beings. 

    As we explore AI’s possibilities it’s worth asking ourselves the question, “Are we building a life with God or are we building a life for ourselves? 

    The Way of Jesus

    The more I use AI, the more I feel the invitation to slow down.

    It’s one thing to use a tool. It’s another to let it use you. And I don’t want to become the person who outsources the very parts of life and ministry that form and shape me as a child of God. 

    Sermons aren’t just written, they’re lived. 

    Pastoral care isn’t just organised, it’s personal and relational. 

    Discipleship isn’t just explanation and knowledge, it’s years-long formation under God and his people. 

    The way of Jesus is still slow. It’s relational. It’s incarnational. It requires presence. And if AI helps me serve others better, I’ll use it. But if it pulls me away from the kind of person Jesus is shaping me to be then it might be time to put it down.

    If you’re interested to explore this further you can also listen to our church podcast where we are beginning to explore AI in the church. You can grab the episodes here or on YouTube.

    AI and Ministry
    The Ethics of AI: A Pastoral Reflection
    Related: AI, Ministry, and the Shape of Discipleship

  • Unity, Patience, and the Church: Lessons from Carlton’s Coaching Turmoil

    A recent article in The Age by Jake Niall (which may be behind a paywall) explores the inner tension at Carlton Football Club over the past three decades. The club was once defined by power and success then found itself in a cycle of division, instability, and impatience. Having had nine different coaches since 2000, multiple leadership changes at board level, and a struggle to perform on field, the article that Niall writes is a great case study in leadership, particularly for those in church ministry. 

    Obviously, professional sport and pastoral leadership operate in very different arenas, they do share some similarities, as I’ve written about before. Leadership struggles, the challenge of unity, the weight of expectations, and the temptation to look for a quick fix rather than embracing the slow and patient work of building something that will last. 

    A Divided House

    Denis Pagan, one of Carlton’s many coaches, described his tenure at the club as “an absolute nightmare”, primarily due to the fractured leadership: “Splinters everywhere… board level, administration level. The playing group was split.” It was a house divided against itself, as Niall writes. 

    Jesus’ words in Mark 3:25 speaks of this truism, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” This isn’t just true for football clubs; it’s true for churches as well. When leadership teams—pastors, elders, and deacons—are pulling in different directions, the whole church suffers.

    Paul understood this as well when he writes to the church in Ephesus to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Unity isn’t automatic; it requires intentional effort. When a church operates more like a dysfunctional football club, where different factions vie for control, the focus shifts away from Jesus and his mission.

    Patience and the Slow Work of Discipleship

    Carlton’s downfall wasn’t just about division; it was also about impatience. The club became addicted to the idea of a quick fix—whether it was a high-profile coach, a big-name recruit, or a billionaire benefactor. As Malthouse put it, “This is going to take a slow burn to get right and it’s also going to take patience.” But patience was in short supply.

    Churches can fall into the same trap. We want fast results—spiritual growth that happens overnight, new programs that immediately bear fruit, discipleship that runs on a tight schedule. But faith formation, like rebuilding a football club, doesn’t work that way.

    Jesus consistently used farming illustrations to describe the Kingdom of God and the growth that happens over time. “First the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head” (Mark 4:28). Paul says similarly about this patient approach to ministry, saying, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

    Pastors, elders, and deacons need to embrace the long game of discipleship. There are no shortcuts. A healthy church isn’t built in a season or two—it takes years of faithful, consistent, and patient work.

    The Role of Leadership in the Church

    At Carlton, instability at the top had a ripple effect. Pagan noted that too many influential voices behind the scenes “wouldn’t have known a football from an Easter egg.” Leadership dysfunction filtered down to the players, resulting in a culture where no one was really set up for success.

    Churches can find themselves in a similar place. If the relationship between the pastoral team and church leadership is dysfunctional, the congregation feels its effects. Leadership in the church isn’t about control but about shepherding God’s people toward spiritual health. It reminds me of those words from 1 Peter 5:1-4, 

    “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

    Ephesians 4:11-12 also describes the God-given role of leadership: 

    “Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” 

    Leadership in the church exists for the nurturing of the people, not for power struggles or personal agendas.

    This is exactly how Jesus established his church. He didn’t appoint boardroom executives—he built his church on disciples who would faithfully shepherd his people. “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). The church belongs to Christ. It is grown through his Word, sustained by his Spirit, and led by those called to serve, not control.

    The Temptation of the Quick Fix

    Carlton’s desperation for success led to a flawed approach; new coaches, new strategies, new leadership—anything but patience and stability. As a result, they spent more time rebuilding than actually moving forward.

    We might be tempted to fall into the same mindset. A new program, a new vision statement, a new pastor—these things can feel like they’ll fix everything. But real transformation doesn’t come from quick changes, it comes from faithfulness.

    Jesus didn’t rush. He spent three years slowly forming twelve disciples, who still weren’t ready by the time of his crucifixion. Paul didn’t plant churches and expect them to mature overnight—he stayed, he invested, and when he moved on, he kept writing letters to guide them further.

    Carlton’s recent resurgence has come not from chasing instant success but from building long-term stability. Likewise, a healthy church doesn’t rely on the next big thing, it commits to the slow, faithful work of discipleship.

    A Different Kind of Leadership

    Carlton’s history serves as a warning. The church is not a football club, but if we aren’t careful, we can find ourselves running it like one.

    Instead, we are called to a different kind of leadership—a leadership rooted in unity, patience, and the long, steady work of building up the people of God. The ultimate model for this is Jesus, “who made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:7).

    If we lead as Jesus led, if we remain united in purpose, and if we commit to the slow, faithful work of discipleship, we will see lasting transformation—not just in our churches, but in the lives of those we are called to shepherd.

    After all, the church isn’t chasing a premiership. We’re building something eternal.

  • Book Review: Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

    Book Review: Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

    Ask your pastor how they are going, and one of the words they’ll probably use is “busy.” Then again, ask anyone in your church that question, and the response is likely the same. We live in a fast-paced, hurried, always-on-the-go world. As has often been the case, this continues to be the pace of ministry too. If I’ve learned one thing recently, hurried ministry isn’t good ministry.

    Whether it’s preparing sermons, meeting with leaders, counselling individuals, or attending another meeting, there’s always more to do. In the middle of all this activity, it can feel impossible to slow down. But perhaps the problem isn’t the amount of work itself, but the way we approach it.

    Cal Newport’s book, Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout, offers a helpful rethink into how we organise our work and, as a consequence, our ministry. Newport writes for a general audience, fitting into the productivity and business non-fiction genres. His approach to life and work, particularly knowledge work, isn’t about squeezing more out of the day. Instead, it’s about changing the relationship we have with work. His philosophy is captured in three short phrases:

    • Do fewer things. 
    • Work at a natural pace. 
    • Obsess over quality.

    These principles seem to be common sense. We can quickly affirm them. Of course, we want to do fewer things, we want to work at a natural pace, and we want to produce good quality work. We don’t want to burnout. As a pastor, I want to live and do ministry in a way that is aligned with God’s purposes, and I can see that these principles are a helpful way of aligning with that. It’s just, in practice this is often not the case and I’d really like it to be. Wouldn’t you?

    Do Fewer Things

    Newport’s first principle is simple: do fewer things, but do them well. He writes:

    “Strive to reduce your obligations to the point where you can easily imagine accomplishing them with time to spare.” (p. 53)

    In ministry, this is easier said than done. The list of demands can feel endless. There’s always more to do, or at least more to dream about. Saying “no” often feels like letting someone down.

    It’s important to name and commit to core priorities. For me, these priorities are preaching and teaching, and leadership development and support. Everything else, whether pastoral care, communication, or administration, flows out of these two areas. They don’t come first. Clarifying these priorities has been helpful, particularly in recent times, as it refines my call and helps me work intentionally.

    Scripture speaks into this idea. Jesus himself talks about what he came to do—to redeem and reach the lost. At one point, he had the opportunity to do more healing and care for those around him, but then he departs because he wants to preach and teach elsewhere (Mark 1:38). Nehemiah is another example. While rebuilding the wall, he faces distractions but tells those trying to pull him away, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down” (Nehemiah 6:3). Jesus and Nehemiah recognised their priorities and were focused on them. By focusing on the “great work” God has called us to, we can let go of the less essential.

    Work at a Natural Pace

    The second principle is to work at a natural, sustainable pace. Newport writes:

    “Don’t rush your most important work. Allow it instead to unfold along a sustainable timeline.” (p. 116)

    This idea resonates with the biblical rhythm of work and rest. God designed us for cycles of activity and renewal, a truth woven into creation itself. We see this in the establishment of the seventh day, where God rests from all the work he has done (Genesis 2:2-3). He didn’t need to rest, but he does so to enjoy what he has created. Psalm 127:2 reminds us,

    “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

    The pressure to hurry is constant. Whether in ministry or not, it is always present. Whether it’s the regular emails, the technology in our hands, or the feeling of needing to be across things that can probably wait, we seem to drive ourselves to hurry.

    In recent times, I’ve committed to being unhurried—to walking rather than running. To doing things at a pace that is sustainable over the long haul. This doesn’t mean there won’t be seasons of hurriedness, but it is a decision to take things, as Newport says, at a natural pace.

    This pace doesn’t mean laziness. It means being intentional. For example, I’ve learned to protect my mornings for sermon preparation. This is when my energy level is highest. I’ve set boundaries around how many meetings I have, how long they go for, and how spaced out they might be. Sure, I sometimes break these ‘rules,’ but they are in my mind as I plan and schedule my weeks and months. It allows me to give my best at different times of the week and with different people.

    Part of achieving this more natural pace is accepting that we will never be able to do everything. Life leaves behind numerous unfinished tasks. And that’s OK.

    Obsess Over Quality

    The final principle, “obsess over quality,” is about deep work on what matters most. Newport writes:

    “Obsess over the quality of what you produce, even if this means missing opportunities in the short term.” (p. 173)

    I’m not sure I entirely agree with this. Sometimes it’s better to do things at 85% than spend another 20 hours moving the needle up a few percentage points. This could feed into perfectionism and not being happy to say something is done. However, Newport’s point isn’t about striving for perfection but valuing what matters most and giving our attention to it.

    Scripture reminds us, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people” (Colossians 3:23). Striving for quality honours God and serves others well. It’s also a call to prioritise—to focus on what is essential. It might mean doing fewer things so that the right amount of attention is given to a particular activity, creative pursuit, or project. It might also mean seeking feedback from others about quality. At the end of the day, we want to serve God and others—our families, colleagues, and friends. Remembering this is helpful.

    Sustainable Ministry

    At its core, Slow Productivity is about more than work; it’s about life. Newport writes:

    “My goal is to offer a more humane and sustainable way to integrate professional efforts into a life well lived.” (p. 41)

    This resonates with all of us, whether in pastoral ministry or not. Life isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. To serve people well in all aspects of life requires a sustainable rhythm. Newport’s principles remind us that doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and focusing on quality isn’t just practical—it’s biblical wisdom in action. It may even lead us to affirm Paul’s words to Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). To finish well, we must steward our time, energy, and calling wisely.

    Should You Read This Book?

    If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the demands of ministry or work, Slow Productivity is worth reading. Newport’s insights are practical, thought-provoking, and relevant for anyone seeking to live and serve intentionally. His podcast is also worth checking out if that appeals to you.

    These principles are also helpful for the church. Slow ministry or slow discipleship may not be ideas we think about often. But given the way life and culture push us, even putting the word slow in front of something might help us reflect on why our response to someone is so often, “busy.”

    This book isn’t about doing less for the sake of doing less. It’s about making space for the work that truly matters—work that honours God, serves others, and leads to a life well lived.

    Related reading on rest and ministry
    Book Review: The Unhurried Pastor
    11 Helpful Books on Burnout and Ministry
    Rest in the Rock: A Series in Psalm 62

  • The Pastor’s Role in Preaching

    The Pastor’s Role in Preaching

    Christopher Ash’s The Priority of Preaching outlines a vision for pastoral ministry that puts preaching front and centre. According to Ash, a pastor’s main responsibility is to feed the congregation through diligent and faithful preaching. This is not an add-on or bit part to ministry but at the core of it. In this little gem of a book, as I’ve already written about, Ash understands the priority, graciousness, urgency, and community aspects of preaching. Here I’m focussing on how, like a good meal, the pastors views preaching, using it to nourish and shape the hearers. 

    Ash uses the image of the pastor as a shepherd who feeds the flock through the Word. Drawing on the example of John 21, where Jesus commissions Peter to “feed my sheep” (John 21:17), Ash suggests that pastoral ministry centres on delivering God’s Word in a way that sustains and strengthens the church. Preaching is not just one task among many; it is the primary way a pastor fulfils the call to shepherd God’s people. The words of Paul to Timothy echo this focus: “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). For Ash, preaching is the pastor’s highest responsibility, and it’s a role that calls for dedication, preparation, and humility.

    The shepherd’s role is also one of “borrowed authority,” as Ash puts it. This authority doesn’t rest in the pastor’s own wisdom or personal charisma but is grounded in the Word of God. Ash warns that preaching is “costly,” because it requires the pastor to set aside personal ambition and serve as a messenger. This humility is vital, as James 3:1 reminds us: “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” The authority that comes with preaching is given from God, and it calls pastors to treat the pulpit with a sense of reverence, understanding that they are accountable to God for how they handle His Word.

    One of Ash’s strongest points is that pastoral ministry, centred on preaching, is about leading people to grace. Preaching  isn’t primarily about moral instruction or behaviour change; it’s about continually pointing people back to the grace of God, bringing them back to the gospel. This is what sustains. This is what transforms. This emphasis on grace aligns Titus 2:11-12, which teaches that “the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions.” For Ash, the pastor’s call is to regularly remind the congregation that grace is at the heart of the Christian life. This is the true “food” of the flock, helping them grow in faith and godliness.

    Ash’s perspective on preaching as a form of shepherding challenges us to think about ministry not as a collection of tasks but as a singular calling to nurture and sustain God’s people through the Word. This vision pushes back against the idea that a pastor’s role is primarily administrative or focused on personal connections. While those are important aspects, Ash argues that the heart of the role is to be a steward of grace through preaching. This focus calls pastors to prioritise their study, prayer, and preparation for the pulpit above other activities. It echoes the approach of the apostles in Acts 6:4, who, despite the demands of church leadership, committed themselves “to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

    This view also has practical implications for how pastors approach their work. Effective pastoral ministry requires a commitment to feed the church regularly and intentionally through the Word. This means more than just delivering a message each week; it involves shepherding the church toward spiritual maturity, addressing encouragement and correction where needed. It’s in line with Paul’s charge to the Ephesian church to “equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God” (Ephesians 4:12-13). Preaching is a means in which God uses to guide the church toward unity and maturity. 

    However, this isn’t all about the congregation either. This perspective encourages pastors to approach their calling with humility, and also with the need of grace. It’s one thing to deliver a sermon, having spent time in God’s Word during the week, but it’s another to make sure it is in you. It is shaping and nourishing me as the preacher. I, more than anyone else, know the grace I need each and every week. And with the responsibility, the care, and the excitement of getting up there on a Sunday morning I know more than anyone else in front of me how much of that grace God has given during the week. To preach with conviction and to authentically will mean the need to be walking closely with God throughout. 

    To finish this series of reflections on this book by Ash it is a reminder that pastors are not just communicators or leaders, but that we are people who dispense grace. To keep the gospel central to our own lives and the lives of those we shepherd. 

    The Priority of Preaching: Reflections on Christopher Ash’s Book
    Review: The Priority of Preaching by Christopher Ash
    Part 1: Preaching Grace
    Part 2: Preaching With Urgency
    Part 3: Preaching as Community Building
    Related: The Pastor’s Role in Preaching