On the Brink: Grace for the Burned-Out Pastor, by Clay Werner. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2014, 143 pages, $12.99.

This book is a call to ministerial endurance through the power of the cross of Christ. In two sentences from the opening paragraphs Werner gives a good introduction to the message of this honest volume. The first is about the cross: “One look at Jesus hanging on the cross will teach you that if you make a conscious decision to deeply and sacrificially love sinners, it’s going to hurt something awful” (13). The second leads pastors to the cross again for the hope and strength they need to stay at their posts and even flourish in the Lord's service: “One look at Jesus will also teach you that if God loved us even to the point of death on a cross, he’ll provide strength to endure and hope to persevere through the incredible and humanly impossible calling of loving fellow sinners” (13).

The author, a pastor in the PCA, makes it clear that the lessons that he writes about have been learned through personal adversity. In the midst of his own struggles, Werner received the help of trusted advisers. He also profited from the heritage of ministerial reflection handed down to the church from prior generations. Werner’s central message is the important truth that both pastors and their congregations need to find the “remedy of the cross” (73) as they seek to serve the Lord together. Their only help is in the Lord who not only died for his people, but who also rose from the dead.

The truths of the Christian gospel are richly illustrated and presented in an engaging way for suffering servants of our Messiah who may be struggling in the exercise of their calling. Though the author focuses especially on the anguish of conflict among church leaders, his message is also very applicable to those who are weary in well-doing because of other painful trials that they have faced in their lives.

The first part of the book presents the reader with the familiar territory of real pastoral life. From the experience of Moses to the writings of well-known contemporary pastors, the troubles common to the ministerial calling are plainly outlined. A brief consideration of living out the theology of the cross of Christ (based on Calvin’s Institutes, 3:8, “Bearing the Cross, A Part of Self-Denial”) provides the transition for weary servants of God who may wonder whether the pressures and difficulties of church leadership today are just too much to bear. The second half of the book uses this good “theology of the cross” to direct all of the Lord's children toward the power of the resurrection as they pursue fruitful ministerial opportunities in the Lord's vineyard today.

The final chapter of the book reminds all who would stay in the battle that they need the strength that can only come from considering the faithfulness of Almighty God. Because “the steadfast love of the Lord endures forever” (e.g. Ps. 138:8), pastors can honestly face the worst conflicts and the most wrenching personal providences with fresh courage. No experience in their lives is beyond the redeeming power of the Savior's blood. No one needs to hide in shame or despair because of their troubles. God is able to give his ministers the grace of renewed faith and repentance. He can help them through their darkest hours by his Word and Spirit.

Stephen Magee is the pastor of Exeter Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Exeter, New Hampshire. Ordained Servant Online, March 2015.