I'm a minister and have been a published fiction author and frequent blogger. I wrote a book, Why Your Pastor Left, a couple years ago and have been reworking it for a while whilst finishing my postgrad studies. I'm planning to send queries this summer but need more feedback/critique/review for this nonfiction book. Might I find any interested reviewers here?
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CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
Why Your Pastor Left
- Thread starter Chrisschmitz
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LadyNRA
Regular Member
Sad ! But your pastor wouldn't be the first to have problems with that. My personal favorite is the "Sorry Pastor, we just voted you out!" I attended a church that bounced pastors the way poor folks bounce checks. And that church wasn't the only one in the area that played 'bouncing pastors'.
Chris - she was providing an answer on your book title, "Why Your Pastor Left."
Her answer: Embezzlement.
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Sure, that happens. The problem is that our culture is so hooked on drama that every time a pastor leaves people assume that some great fall happened. While I cover that topic, the main thrust is dealing with the pitfalls of ministry and how a congregation can support a minister and help keep him or her. One of the chapters deals with healthy transition and Pastor's being genuinely called away, most of the chapters deal with how individuals in a congregation often tell their pastors that they are being called away... it always amuses me that people so often dictate to other people what God's calling/plan is for them rather than encouraging them to seek it from God personally (my sister was told that it was God's will to marry a certain person--she left her fiance and married the other guy and it ended with half a decade wasted and nothing but misery.)
Anyhow, here's the main body of my agent query letter which sums up the book:
Moments after our pastor left the building, the congregation sat in shock and awe; a clandestine few wore smiles, sure, but the majority of parishioners reacted like a bomb had just exploded within the pews. One member of the church turned to weep on my shoulder. Her question kept me up all night. Why did our pastor have to leave?
Polls show startling results regarding pastoral ministry. 91% of ministers know three to four others who've been forced out of pastoral positions. One-third of all pastors serve congregations who either fired the previous minister or actively forced their resignation. At any given time, 75% of pastors in America want to quit. More than 2000 pastors are leaving the ministry each month. This parishioner is not alone; American church decline is reaching epidemic proportions. Since 1900 it has declined nearly 60% and pastoral attrition is either an indicator of a problem or part of it.
Why Your Pastor Left is a nonfiction book written to enlighten congregations as to several Ministry Killers that stress a pastor, often unto breaking. Each chapter speculates on how to prevent each Ministry Killer and re-establish the American Church by restoring our Shepherds to their proper place of leadership and respect. Why Your Pastor Left is approximately 65,000 words long; the book is completed and currently being edited and reviewed by several ministry peers.
[FONT="]I have been published in 20+ different fiction outlets (short-fiction journals, anthologies, etc.) and keep an active blog for my nonfiction as well as contribute articles to a national Youth Ministry website/resource.[/FONT]
Anyhow, here's the main body of my agent query letter which sums up the book:
Moments after our pastor left the building, the congregation sat in shock and awe; a clandestine few wore smiles, sure, but the majority of parishioners reacted like a bomb had just exploded within the pews. One member of the church turned to weep on my shoulder. Her question kept me up all night. Why did our pastor have to leave?
Polls show startling results regarding pastoral ministry. 91% of ministers know three to four others who've been forced out of pastoral positions. One-third of all pastors serve congregations who either fired the previous minister or actively forced their resignation. At any given time, 75% of pastors in America want to quit. More than 2000 pastors are leaving the ministry each month. This parishioner is not alone; American church decline is reaching epidemic proportions. Since 1900 it has declined nearly 60% and pastoral attrition is either an indicator of a problem or part of it.
Why Your Pastor Left is a nonfiction book written to enlighten congregations as to several Ministry Killers that stress a pastor, often unto breaking. Each chapter speculates on how to prevent each Ministry Killer and re-establish the American Church by restoring our Shepherds to their proper place of leadership and respect. Why Your Pastor Left is approximately 65,000 words long; the book is completed and currently being edited and reviewed by several ministry peers.
[FONT="]I have been published in 20+ different fiction outlets (short-fiction journals, anthologies, etc.) and keep an active blog for my nonfiction as well as contribute articles to a national Youth Ministry website/resource.[/FONT]
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LadyNRA
Regular Member
I think it's good to remind people of why Pastors leave or to remind them that it isn't cool to fire each pastor simply because they won't knuckle under to congregational expectations. Too many churches choose a pastor based on how easily they think he can be molded or manipulated. When that doesn't happen or the church doesn't grow much, or the pastor has his own ideas and the independent streak to match, out he goes.
I got so tired of all the changes (of Pastors) that I really have stopped going and mostly spend Sunday morning watching various pastors that I like preach. By me, in local churches, all I hear are salvation messages or very light topical sermons. I want to get into the word, not gloss over it. No one teaches like that around here, so I simply don't go anymore.
I got so tired of all the changes (of Pastors) that I really have stopped going and mostly spend Sunday morning watching various pastors that I like preach. By me, in local churches, all I hear are salvation messages or very light topical sermons. I want to get into the word, not gloss over it. No one teaches like that around here, so I simply don't go anymore.
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You should find a small group to be involved in, one where the people are of similare maturity in their spiritual walk
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Derp, I also forgot to mention that you will have to pm me with your address...i don't have pm privileges yet
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jennabug423
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I would be interested in reviewing your material and comparing your insights to what God has been showing me is going on among the spiritual leadership of the Body of Christ over the last 20 years or so. There have been dramatic changes to the church, both the real church and the religious church, and to those individuals who are leading both.
I too am a published author, minister, and blogger. Review of my profile information and review my blog, might aid you in making a decision about whether I would be a good fit to sit on your cyber writers roundtable. If you are interesting in using me for review and feedback, you may then contact me if you want to start emailing and/or messaging each other.
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I'll take whatever reviewers I can get. My book is intended for a large demographic. I;m hoping many people will find it meets their needs, educates, etc. PM me with your email address
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If you are able please just send me your material via the forums PM system. Will that work for you?
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