The Care of Souls
What is the purpose of the church? And what role do pastors play? In The Care of Souls, Harold L. Senkbeil hopes to help his readers cultivate a pastor’s heart. As the 2020 Christianity Today Book Award Winner for Church/Pastoral Leadership and the 2019 TGC Ministry Book of the Year Winner, this book is a pastoral theology, passing on godly habits and practical wisdom.
Cultivation
Author Harold L. Senkbeil is an Executive Director of DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care. He has pastoral experience of nearly five decades, including parish ministry, the seminary classroom, and parachurch leadership. By reading his writing, you can tell he has learned much from his experience and hopes to shape the next generation of pastors.
In less than 300 pages, Senkbeil pulls primarily from his experience growing up on a farm and eventually becoming a pastor. He gives real-life case studies and shares what he has learned to be tried and true advice. His Lutheran background informs his writing, but it does not isolate readers from different denominations. Rather, he invites pastors and lay leaders to partake in the ministry.
Godly Habits
Senkbeil wastes no time or ink by proclaiming that pastors are simply the tools the Lord uses to do his work. There is no power inherent in the pastor as a person. It is God who gives the growth. But with the Word of God as the ministry’s source and norm, the pastor can be equipped to properly care for souls.
Listening is a basic skill that Senkbeil spends time to detail. He intends for pastors to listen for faith, providence, holiness, and repentance. He takes the time in Chapter 4, the heart of the book, to highlight ten theses for the intentional treatment of the cure of souls.
Practical Wisdom
Chapter 6 is another standout chapter where Senkbeil shares his experiencing of pastoring those suffering from guilt and shame. Holiness is highlighted in Chapter 7, and sexual sin, as well as the marriage bed, is handled with care. Spiritual warfare and mission round out the book while acknowledging that even pastors need pastoring.
The book concludes with a call to joy in the office of pastoring and a reminder that while the work may seem exhausting, repose awaits and rest is certain. In fact, the entire book is optimistic in that God has given us everything we need to do his work. With His Word, the sacraments, and the church - the Spirit has empowered His saints to succeed.
The Heart of a Pastor
After reading this book, I am left with awe and respect for the pastorate. It is a high calling. It is a noble task. It is dangerous yet filled with delight. And I am encouraged to care for souls, knowing the Shepherd is fully in control. And so I take heart - there is work to be done. But at the end of the day, I hope to hear our Lord say: Well done, good and faithful servant.
I received a media copy of The Care of Souls and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.