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Religion Pastoral Resources

Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work

by (author) Eugene H. Peterson

Publisher
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Initial publish date
Oct 1992
Category
Pastoral Resources
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780802806604
    Publish Date
    Oct 1992
    List Price
    $29.99

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Where to buy it

Description

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 Work shows 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.

About the author

Eugene H. Peterson (1932–2018) was a longtime pastor and professor of spiritual theology at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia. His many acclaimed books include Tell It Slant, The Jesus Way, Eat This Book, and the contemporary translation of the Bible titled The Message.

Eugene H. Peterson's profile page