Paul David Tripp, Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenge of Pastoral Ministry (aff). (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2012). 227 pages.
This book is interesting on several levels. It is intriguing that people who dedicate themselves to teaching God’s eternal truths can easily become deceived and discouraged themselves. A doctor suffering from preventable ailments ought to cause alarm. Paul Tripp is a popular speaker and author, and he offers some great, candid insights. Ironically, he lists five endorsers on the back cover who agree that pastoral ministry is challenging. Since the book’s publication, three of the five have left the ministry under disgraceful circumstances.
Tripp begins by candidly sharing how he became blinded to his own issues. He was filled with anger, but he explained away his problems in self-righteous terms. I found Tripp’s opening illustration about his own shortcomings both helpful and slightly problematic. I admire those who lower the veil and show that they are flawed human beings. But at times he seems to assume that if he struggles with a particular issue, then everyone else probably does too. Tripp recounts several instances when other ministers confessed to experiencing similar battles. Yet I am hesitant to assume everyone shares the same weaknesses. Of course, some of the general principles he discusses apply to other issues as well.
Tripp acknowledges that his anger deeply affected his relationship with his wife. But whenever she confronted him about it, he says he “would wrap my robes of righteousness around me, activate my inner lawyer, and remind her over again of what a great husband I was” (17).
Tripp ultimately came to recognize that “I let my ministry define my identity” (21). He adds, “My faith had become a professional calling. It had become my job” (22). He had also mistaken his biblical literacy and theological knowledge for spiritual maturity (25). Because he knew the Bible so well, he assumed he was spiritually mature. Yet he later learned that “It is possible to be theologically astute and be very immature” (25). He confused ministry success with God’s approval of his lifestyle (27). He asked, “If I’m such a bad guy, why is God blessing everything I put my hands on?” (27). This mindset is common among pastors. Because a church or ministry is growing rapidly and exercising wide influence, ministers assume God is pleased.
One thing Tripp pounds home is that “no one is more influential in your life than you are, because no one talks to you more than you do” (21). Tripp encourages ministers to speak truth into their own lives.
Tripp makes several powerful points throughout the book. He claims that ministry ought to be an act of worship. He states, “In fact, one of the things that makes a sermon compelling is that the preacher is worshipping his way through his own sermon” (35). Tripp notes that many ministers find their identity in their role as a minister. He cautions, “If you are not requiring yourself to get your deepest sense of well-being vertically, you will shop for it horizontally, and you will always come up empty” (36).
Trip cautions ministers who assume that because they know something, they are experiencing it: “Bad things happen when maturity is more defined by knowing than it is by doing” (42). He asserts that it becomes dangerous when theology is viewed as “an end in itself rather than a means to an end” (44).
Tripp discusses the peril of ministers who know the symptoms of illness and yet explain away their own unhealthy traits. He confesses, “Like sick people who are afraid of the doctor, we collect evidence that points to our health when really, in our heart of hearts, we know we are sick” (59). He adds, “You see, it is absolutely vital to remember that a pastor’s ministry is never just shaped by his knowledge, experience, and skill. It is always also shaped by the true condition of his heart” (62). He concludes, “His heart needs to be tenderized day by day by his communion with Christ . . .” (63).
Tripp posits that every pastor needs people in his life who help him see himself with biblical accuracy (73). He discusses the problems that arise when seminary students are not active in a local church during their studies (85). Seminary students often assume that because they are immersing themselves in theological and biblical studies in school, they don’t need fellowship in a local church. Tripp also warns that it is unhealthy when the pastor is the only teacher in the church (91). Pastors, like anyone else, need to be taught.
Tripp writes, “Perhaps we have forgotten that pastoral ministry is war and that you will never live successfully in the pastorate if you live with a peacetime mentality” (98). He cautions, “Could there be a greater danger in ministry than that the one leading the ministry would lose their awe?” (115). Tripp has some insightful things to say about awe in ministry. He notes: “The spiritual danger here is that when awe of God is absent, it is quickly replaced by awe of ourselves” (118). He adds, “You see, the standards you set for yourself and your ministry are directly related to your view of God” (138).
Tripp suggests, “I think we should all be shocked at the level of mediocrity that we tolerate in the life and ministry of the local church. Mediocrity is a heart problem” (141). He suggests that ministers burn themselves out and are distracted because they take on much that God does not intend for them. He notes, “It is pride, not humility, that makes it hard to say no” (162). He observes, “Pastoral ministry is always shaped, formed, directed, and driven by worship” (167).
Tripp concludes by saying, “So when you’ve forgotten who you are, when you assign to yourself more maturity than you actually have, and when you think you are more capable than you really are, you leave yourself little room to seek the ongoing help of your Savior” (186). He adds, “Preacher, there is no congregation you need to preach to more than yourself” (203). He leaves the reader with hope. He notes that the apostle Paul did not resign his ministry because he was the “foremost” of sinners (206). Rather, that knowledge drove him into a daily dependance on the Lord for sustenance and power.
Tripp touches on important issues for pastors. It is easy to focus on helping others and neglect our own soul. We may assume that because our heads are full of knowledge about the Bible, we are embracing those eternal truths in our own life. I have been around pastors my whole life, and I know the problems Tripp highlights are real and dangerous. I constantly see pastors fail or grow weary in ministry despite the amazing truths they share each week about almighty God.
One issue I had with this book is Tripp’s writing style. He often makes the same statement a dozen different ways (141, 170). His style may be compelling when he is preaching in a room full of “amens!” But in written form, I was tempted to say, “I get your point” and skip to the next paragraph. He should have made his point once or twice and then moved on. His belaboring of points, even good ones, is my greatest critique of this otherwise great book.
If you are a minister, this book may be helpful. Read it slowly and carefully. You will likely face some of these same issues in your life and ministry.
Rating: 2
