The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read: But Is Too Embarrassed to Ask

“I was delighted that Christopher Ash’s new book unpacks the overlooked exhortation of Hebrews 13 v 17, namely, that it is the responsibility of the sheep to make the shepherd's work a joy and not a burden. Christopher lays out seven ways to do so. I know of no other book like this—it is a "charge to the congregation" that is more specific and practical than anything else you will find in print.”

“Too many pastors today are discouraged, isolated, and weary, and it shows in the alarming rate of drop-out from pastoral ministry. In this book, Christopher Ash has pooled his extensive experience and wisdom to produce a book that could help make a real difference. If church members and leadership teams can read this book, we could help more pastors persevere and thrive in their ministry to us.”

“Christopher Ash has served churches well for decades now, at Cornhill, in a local church, through his writings (how about that Job commentary?!). Now he provides a most unusual service. A modern take on an old form—the Church Member's Handbook—Christopher has asked the simple question, "How can I love and serve my pastor, in a way that will do him, his family and our church good?" The answer is straightforward, biblical and life-giving. Careful and loving, this in fact IS a book your pastor wishes you would read (but we ARE too embarrassed to ask you). Thanks, Christopher!”

“In the short time it will take to read this book, a radical shift may well take place—a shift in orientation from asking “How is my pastor doing in meeting my needs?” to “How am I doing in caring for my pastor?””

“The shepherd tends the flock—we get that—but whoever thought of the flock looking after the shepherd! Christopher Ash has and, with his usual clarity and kindness, shows us what that means and why it matters.”

“We expect pastors to read quite a lot—of Scripture, and of books that help them understand and explain Scripture—so that they become better able to meet us in our need. The book you are holding in your hands is not one of those books. Rather, it is a book to help church members understand Scripture better so that they become better able to meet pastors in their need. After all, don't you want their work to be a joy, not a burden (Hebrews 13:17)—a joy and not a burden both to them and to the sheep in their flock? I wonder how much the fruitful and happy functioning of a local church turns on believers who are grateful encouragers of their pastors, prayerful warriors who draw out from their under-shepherd the very best he can give them!”

“Where do you get lay leaders and people who know how to pastor their pastor and (in doing so) make him a better pastor? You could wait for them to miraculously appear (and I've had my share) or give out this book in great quantities. It comes from a pastor who understands the pulpit and the pew and who wonderfully reflects the grace of the Chief Pastor, Jesus Christ. This is a book that will make pastors weep for joy that someone understands and will make people wise for action of the most useful kind. Christopher Ash has a special knack of putting his finger on the sensitive nerve-endings of churches and their pastors. This book is no exception. It contains the wise fruit of many years of church membership and a wide knowledge of ministers and their ministry. If we will "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" these pages, both our churches and our ministers will be healthier and happier. Here is a book to be read by the leadership of every Christian fellowship!”

“A wonderfully encouraging, challenging, wise and readable book. It contains so many obvious truths that can be so easy to forget—pastors are people too; pastors need encouraging; the best way to encourage your pastor is to live wholeheartedly for Jesus. Christopher Ash has condensed a lifetime of ministry and training ministers into an immensely helpful book. It is not only a book your pastor wishes you would read, but this pastor’s wife highly recommends it too. If you want your pastor to serve joyfully and faithfully to the end, read this book and put it into practice!”

“We were challenged and encouraged afresh to have soft hearts and to engage humbly and wholeheartedly in our local church family—and cannot think of anyone who wouldn’t be helped and challenged by reading this book.”