"What They Didn't Teach You In Seminary" by James Emery White

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James Emery White. What They Didn't Teach You in Seminary: 25 Lessons for Successful Ministry in Your Church.  Baker Books, 2011. 192 pgs. 

I came to this book with low expectations. The reputation of the author drew me in but that alone was not enough to overcome the skepticism which the title engendered. Then, add to that a subtitle which promises a list leading to success? Oh boy…

By the time I was finished this book, however, my opinion was completely reversed. What did overcome my initial skepticism, swiftly and completely, were the wise and considered words of James Emery White. His discussion ranges from leadership and administration issues, to words about soul care and family. White truly runs the gauntlet of difficult issues pastors face in their positions. In most chapters he is sincere, wise, and helpful. Naturally there were a few chapters that I found to be less so, but they are hardly worth mentioning next to amount of just plain good advice in this book.

In the introduction White discusses how the U.S. Army is changing its training program in order to prepare soldiers for what they actually face in war. With that analogy in mind he summarizes his book: “So from someone who loves and appreciates what a seminary education offers but who’s been deployed in the war for a while, here’s what they never taught me there – and in fairness, never could.” This is, indeed, what you will find within the pages of What They Didn’t Teach You In Seminary. Here is a book worth reading.

Conclusion: 4.5 Stars. Conditionally Recommended. This book was written for pastors, and so if you are one then you should read it. If not, you can still learn from it, especially in terms of understanding more clearly what your pastor goes through and needs. 


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

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