If you meet George Herbert on the road, kill him: Radically Re-Thinking Priestly Ministry

I received the book from a friend who felt it was interesting, and the copy I purchased from you I am sending to a friend who is in an interesting parish situation and who thought it sounded like what she wanted to hear. It has an interesting thesis and some real applicability to the current parochial scene in this country. However, it is based on the British experience which is rather different from the states, and contains numerous references to many other studies of the same subject. It is heavy with footnotes and is certainly not a casual read, but it may be helpful to readers involved with parish matters and clergy responses in the U.S. Sometimes it is quite humorous which is a relief among all the studies, tables, references etc.

Hooking the reader straightaway with a provocative title, the author describes well the contrast between the pre-industrial agrarian setting of Herbert's day and the urbanized twenty-first century. As he spells out its implications for ministry, however, I found it varying little from other contemporary how-to books in the field. Furthermore, his numerating of guidelines, often with sub-numeratings, at times made me feel as if I were reading a cook book.

As a curate in the Church of England this book has done much to help me understand the confusion that exists about what clergy are to do. Lewis-Anthony clearly demonstrates that the 'Herbertist' model of clerical life is one which is largely unsuited to ministry today. He goes on to point out that rather than a one-size-fits-all ideal for clergy, we should instead work intelligently with a set of guiding principles - a rule of life.

very pleased

A fascinating and well-researched insight into the legacy of George Herbert, which still hangs over clergy today, and a thoughtful and insightful exploration of alternative models of priestly ministry today, Highly recommended reading for Ordinands!

Enjoyed reading the book - thought provoking

Not as provocative as the title suggests! It's certainly worth reading, though.