Pastor as Person †A Review Essay Example for Free

Pastor as Person A Review EssayAs the title itself suggests, the hale thrust is on the personhood of the government minister. At the start (Chapter Two), stress is given to highlight the need for new get down in ministry. Although it was not directly stated, the idea was pointed out when Tom, a diplomatic minister, received a letter from his alma matted concerning the seminarys plan to include into its curriculum a subject called The Person in Ministry. As the confabulation of the characters progressed, and at the same time their personalities somewhat introduced briefly in chapter one, the theme of the entire book becomes more than in focus. Indeed, as Gary L. Harbaugh was trying to highlight from the very outset, even the person behind the pulpit sunshine after Sunday is a real person with the characteristics of a normal human being with close to the same things to cope in life, if not exactly identical. The way the five pastors were presented Tom Daniels, Joan Russel , Paul Denning, Chris Campbell, and posterior Jeffrich in the first chapter seems to stress the fact of the human side of ministers in general.Although the tone of the author, all along, was to pigment an honest appraisal of the pastor, and at the same time with the intention of helping his readers realize the impossibility for those among the prescribed clergy to perform their lifetime duties effectively without comprehending their frame as human beings, more often than not, the overall lookout from the ministers is very unrealistic. And so, Harbaugh, in this book, incorporated all necessary studies/sciences which for him might yield a more all-encompassing and more accurate portrayal of the minister as human specie.Through the lenses of philosophy, theology, psychology, and anthropology, the pastor was presented not as someone who is above the rest, but someone who is very much like those considered rank and file (Harbaugh, 1985). At the last paragraph of the book, Dr. Harba ugh expressed his hope that upon reading, the reader (presumably, a minister) is affirmed and now having gained valuable insights into his/her personhood, with impertinently outlook, the remaining years of ministry will not be anymore burdensome but promising instead.In Chapter Two, Harbaugh highlights the reality that the pastor is not only a spiritual person but physical as well. He experiences stress and at times may be subjected to bouts of burnout. King Hezekiah of the Old Testament was mentioned as an object lesson of a person dealing with stress. The author pointed out that there ar correct responses to stressors and pressures, although unfortunately, pastors unremarkably opted for what Dr. Harbaugh called as the pastors common reactions to stress.To really experience growth in life and in faith, one has to face his/her responsibilities and do everything within his/her ability to do, and at the same time, one has to accept his limitations that he/she netnot possibly do e verything even while doing and employing the best possible means within his/her ability. As Dr. Harbaugh said, employ the well familiar hymn, Christ is the solid rock on which ultimately, our holistic response to stress can stand. Moreover, the pastor also is an intellectual being. He thinks.This is the emphasis of the third chapter. While it is true that there are similarities, or things common among those in the clergy, Harbaugh maintains the individuality of the pastor (Harbaugh, 1985). This means that each pastor is different and indeed must be dealt with individually. A right balance must be maintained between the pastors vocation and his personal/family life. Dr. Harbaugh, in Chapter Four, introduced Ptr. John Jeffrich. Through Jeffrichs personality, Harbaugh presented a pastor right like anybody else reacting and full of emotions.Indeed, one cannot empathize with others without having gone through the same griefs which other people consider gone through. Weakness is stre ngth (Harbaugh, 1985). The remaining chapters 5 and 6 are expansions, further explorations of previous chapters. How the pastor should deal with different issues as he/she relates to other people. In summary, the pastor should learn to accept everything that he/she is with strengths and weaknesses. As a pastor, he/she is chosen by God for the people of God.