– 1 Min Read
Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor: The Life and Reflections of Tom Carson written by D. A. Carson is a must-read book for all who are considering the pastorate, missions, church planting, or for the wives of men considering such things. Don Carson has graciously shared with us some of the journal entries of his late father who was an “ordinary pastor“. Tom Carson was a faithful man of God, husband, father, and pastor. He was a missionary to the French-speaking Canadians in Quebec.
Throughout the book, Don shares the prayers, devotions, struggles, and historical events recorded in his father’s journal, which has an overwhelming effect on the reader. It puts things in a more meaningful perspective. Tom Carson was an ordinary pastor by and large. His church plant was not “successful” by any means. He was not a titan in the ministry circuit or seminary halls. He was not a well-renowned preacher or conference speaker. Tom Carson was simply a dedicated preacher of the gospel and a faithful shepherd to his sheep.
This book will help bring pastors and future pastors back down to reality. Tom Carson was able to have such an impact after his death because of his lifelong humility. Some people are viewed as living legends in the present, but their work and character may not stand the test of time once they are gone. This is not the case with Tom Carson. He may not have been a living legend but he did leave behind a legacy. His consistent faithfulness leaves a mark on all who came in contact with him. Not everyone will be extraordinary, in fact, most Christians and Christian ministers will always be “ordinary“. Paul tells the Corinthians to remember the state in which they were called and to remember the path they have been appointed to.
For consider your calling, brothers, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may abolish the things that are, 29 so that no flesh may boast before God.
– 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
D. A. Carson’s book helps in doing this very thing. It serves as a reminder of that which a pastor has been called. The pastor’s mindset is to be that of John the Baptist; “[Christ] must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). This is the understanding and peace of Tom Carson. He was a humble servant of God and presented to us a great model of how we ought to live the Christian life in the mundane while at times feeling unnoticed. This book will serve the Church well and will be a mandatory read for all men that we train here to become elders at HBC.