Well, it seems that, amazingly, a few people still actually check this blog, even though I have not posted in over three months.
Here is a little something. Last Monday I had a book review published in Themelios. I reviewed a relatively new book by James Hudnut-Beumler: In Pursuit of the Almighty’s Dollar: A History of Money and American Protestantism. To read the review, go here.
I should have a couple more book reviews coming soon.
September 28, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Thanks for the link to the review.
“The chapters on ministerial pay and experience (including a chapter on the experience of ministers’ wives) tell a story of decreasing income and status, which has intensified over the past thirty years.”
We’re seeing a definite rise in bio-vocational pastoring. I’ve proposed on more than one occasion that 1) future pastor’s should do their BA in something they can get a job doing, reserving formal Bible training for seminary (or minoring in Bible) and 2) our seminaries should begin training young pastors for the bi-vocational world, possibly even through partnerships with trade schools.
September 29, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Thanks for the helpful summary Mark–now I don’t have to read the book!!! Just kidding. Great job–looking forward to many more reviews.
October 8, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Mark,
Good work. Have you read or seen referenced any books on the role of money in evangelical turning points?
Chris