Ancient role models

THE AUGUSTINIAN PASTOR: Deep Wisdom for Modern Ministry
By Joseph H. Sherrard
Baker Academic. 212 pages. £19.99
ISBN 978 1 540 966 901

One of the things I do apart from being the Reviews Editor for Evangelicals Now is the Dead Preachers’ Society. Some of my favourite events have involved looking at the writings of Augustine of Hippo.

Christian life and ministry are greatly enhanced by the choice of good role models. Joseph Sherrard writes that: “For as long as I’ve been a pastor, I have been looking for mentors.” In this book he tells us why he has chosen Augustine as a mentor for his ministry. What is the appeal of delving into the writings of a pastor from the fifth century AD? The one-word answer is “depth”.

Augustine offers deep wisdom that is as applicable today as it was 1,500 years ago. Sometimes ideas that are timeless have the most contemporary impact on us. The Augustinian Pastor is divided into two sections of four chapters each:

Firstly, The Person of the Pastor, in which the author explores the pastor’s story, rule, friends and heart. The author learns form Augustine the priority of developing the person we are. These chapters flow out of a deep dive into Augustine’s spiritual autobiography, Confessions, which is probably the first and best book of its kind that has ever been written. Confessions opens a window on Augustine’s inner life, the reordering of his life, loves, desires and priorities. For the importance of friends, Sherrard also uses the four volumes of Augustine’s letters, which combine theological rigour with pastoral sensitivity.

Secondly: The Practices of the Pastor, in which, in the first of the three chapters in this section, the author explores the task of curing of souls, preaching and catechising. Finally, the author talks about the central priority Augustine places on the church. The main sources for these chapters are Augustine’s sermons and his book on reading and preaching the Scriptures: De Doctrina Christiana (On Christian Teaching).

This helpfully reflects on Augustine’s emphasis on the two loves (Love of God and neighbour) as being at the heart of what it means to be a Christian.

Each chapter is topped and tailed by a slice of real-life action from the author’s ministry and concludes with suggestions for further reading and application.

Sharrard has read widely and deeply in Augustine’s writings; he not only grasps his ideas, but has been shaped by his overall mission and tone.

This is a useful book on contemporary ministry and a valuable guide to how Augustine’s extensive writings can help to enhance it. Highly recommended!

If a book like this stimulates your interest in Christian thinkers from the past – also check out Gerald Bray’s Reading The Bible With Ten Church Fathers: How to Interpret, Teach and Preach Like the Early Christians Baker Books, ISBN 976 1 540 905 147. It is handy little primer on some key Church Fathers (including Augustine) from the first five centuries of the church.

Agatha Christie, who was married to an archaeologist, said “An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets, the more interested he is in her.”

There is something in that. Writings that have stood the test of time can often be more satisfactory than the latest thing.