I know it is completely cliché these days to attack the “established” church and all that goes along with it. We poor, dumb, seminary trained pastors just don’t get it. We old denominational folks don’t have a clue how things really are “out there.” Yeah, okay, I know full well that much of what passes for Christianity and pastoral ministry is little more than religion management and not even very good religion management at that. It is neither Christian nor pastoral. I get it. I know all these things, I’ve heard all these things and, most importantly, I live these things every day of my life. These are the very beasts making my life difficult. None of this is news to me.And yet I must say, Jim Palmer’s book exposes and refreshes me still. He transparently describes the life and thoughts of pastors and church leaders with such surgical precision and accuracy it is often painful to read. I kept looking for some sort of anesthetic along the way, but Palmer offers very little. His is a conversation borne along by painfully personal experience; we must listen to what he says because we know Palmer isn’t talking at anyone louder than he is talking at himself. His stories must be listened to because we know they are true – and true stories must never be ignored.
In the book, Palmer walks through a series of stories about nobody people who taught him good stuff about following Jesus without stumbling into dead, dull religion. I loved these stories. I have my own list of wonderful nobodies who have done exactly the same for me over the years. These nobody people matter ever so much more than anyone thinks, especially since Jim Palmer took the time to present them to us.
Thanks Jim. From one nobody to another, I truly cherish your efforts!
