Reaction to Erwin Lutzer’s Book, Pastor to Pastor

Introduction
In his book, Pastor to Pastor (Kregel Publications, 1998), Erwin Lutzer offers practical advice to pastors and ministers on a range of topics related to pastoral care and shepherding a congregation. Lutzer’s intended audience for this book is professional clergy, those called to ordained ministry. The writer begins the book by establishing his biblical understanding of the call to ministry and his understanding of the qualifications a person should possess before being accepted and ordained as clergy. Lutzer goes on to give advice on practical issues dealing with conflict, pastoral care, church leadership, and worship, along with some other topics important to pastors and church leaders. Lutzer concludes with a chapter outlining his ecclesiological view and his view of Christ’s role in the church and Christ’s relationship to the church (his Christology). The purpose of this paper is to briefly summarize the advice given by Lutzer in Pastor to Pastor and to discuss my reaction to specific passages from the book.

Summary
Lutzer begins his book by addressing the call to ministry. He defines call as “God’s call is an inner conviction given by the Holy Spirit and confirmed by the word of God and the body of Christ (the church).” (Lutzer 11) He goes on to describe the “inner conviction” as more than a feeling, but a “God given compulsion” which is “not deterred by obstacles.” (Lutzer 12). Lutzer holds that 1Timmothy 3 provides the Biblical foundation for determining a person’s qualifications for ministry (Lutzer 12). Finally, he emphasizes the authority of the church helping persons discern their call and explore their place in ministry.

There is a force at work in the world greater than fear.

There is a great debate amongst preachers and church leaders over the use of the common lectionary in organizing Sunday worship and as the basis of Sunday Sermons. The aim of the Common Lectionary is to take the church through the scriptures over the course of a three year period. The readings are meant to coincide with the Christian calendar or liturgical year, reflecting the meaning of the seasons of advent, Christmas, ordinary time after epiphany, lent, Easter, Pentecost, and ordinary time after Pentecost. The years a labeled A, B, and C and the readings are always the same for those specific years. The other side of the debate encourages pastors to prepare topical sermons and sermon series based on their perceived needs of the church. In fact, studies have shown that topical preaching is more popular and is used more often in growing churches. I’m a lectionary preacher. Mainly because the lectionary is tied to the Christian calendar and I believe that following the Christian calendar is one of those ancient practices that give order and meaning to my life as a Christian. Additionally I believe it is good for churches to be on the same page, preaching, teaching, and praying over the same text each week all across the world.

Death of Bin Laden

     This is a tough issue, an issue many great theologians dealt with in the 30's and 40's regarding Hitler. Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Reinhold Niebuhr agonized over what the Christian response to Hitler should be. Bonhoeffer was complicit in the plot to assassinate Hitler. In doing this he believed he was committing a sin that might keep him from heaven.
     Jesus taught that the greatest gift a person can offer is to lay down their life for a friend. How great was Bonhoeffer's gift in that he was willing to lay down his ETERNAL LIFE for his friends.
       In the end they came to the conclusion that evil must be confronted and if taking the life of one person prevents innocents from dying then it is a valid response. I agree that the same is true of the death of Bin Laden We must also understand that evil was not eliminated and that evil will respond to this act of justice with even greater evil.
     We know as Christians that Christ's love is available to all people and that God desires a relationship with us all.
     Yes, Osama Bin Laden was consumed by evil but he was a child of God who was consumed by evil and who waisted his life and failed to live into God's will. God pursues us all the way to the grave, of that I am certain and for that I am grateful. The role of a pastor is to be God's hands and feet in that pursuit. In dealing with this question we are not just addressing the life of Bin Laden, we are speaking to others who are, right now, consumed by evil, letting them know God still loves them and that there is a way out.
     Think of the parable of the vineyard workers and the story of the 2 believers on the road to Emmaus who turned their backs to Jerusalem, abandoned their beliefs and denied the resurrection. Christ pursued them despite that denial and He did not give up on the chance that their eyes could be opened.Their eyes were opened and they became witnesses for Christ's resurrection to the disciples and to you and I.
     We cry out for justice in this world and in the case of Bin Laden justice was served. 
However, I am thankful our God is a God of mercy.


Yep, this is a tough one.

Christ is Risen