Twelve Lessons on Stickability in Ministry, by Sally Nash

'Excellent book, which would a wonderful resource for the newly-ordained — laying foundations for decades of ministry to come — and the minister deep in the thickets of pastoral ministry'

Twelve Lessons on Stickability in Ministry: Wisdom and Flourishing for the Long Haul
By Sally Nash
Sacristy Press
ISBN: 978-1789594294
Reviewed by Paul Goodliff

 
 
How do you stay faithful to your calling for the long-haul? Where does resilience come from? These are two vital questions for those engaged in ministry, and for those who support them with formation and, increasingly, pastoral supervision. I am far from being alone in believing that pastoral ministry is tougher today than when I was in my first pastorate at Streatham Baptist Church, or my second in Stevenage, in the 1980s and 90s. What resources do we bring to bear in order to not just 'stick around' for the long term, but continue to flourish and bear fruit?
 
Sally Nash has written 'Twelve Lessons' in answering those questions, arising from recent research. Nash began her ministry in youth work, and transitioned into roles that train people for that ministry, and then, wider ministry. On the way she undertook research, and gained a doctorate, in the area of shame (a pastoral concern about which I also share an interest), and this breadth of pastoral theology shines through this excellent book.
 
Among the lessons that Nash explores are understanding who I am and what I am called to; rooting myself in spiritual practices; making wise choices; seeking out companions, and establishing and managing boundaries. Each chapter includes stories from her research, which roots the theme in lived experience, and concludes with a poem to ponder, questions to reflect on and further reading. Lessons like 'engaging with vulnerability', 'holding fast through challenging times' and 'keeping on learning' all ring true. There is not one chapter (each a lesson) that is off-kilter, and assembled together, as Nash does with gentle wisdom, this is a wonderful resource for the newly-ordained — laying foundations for decades of ministry to come — and the minister deep in the thickets of pastoral ministry and wondering if there is something else they might or could do to escape. 
 
If I were to raise one hesitation it would be that the balance between the stories that she includes and her own observations and material might have been tilted more towards Nash's own work. I wanted to hear a little more from her, even if at the expense of less narrative material, but those who love to hear those stories will not complain. 
 
As we are in the middle of 'peak ordination season', this book would be a wise and immensely helpful ordination gift, to be read, and implemented in anticipation that God's call can be sustained through the highs and lows of ministry.
 

The Revd Dr Paul Goodliff is a former Head of the Ministry Department of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. He is a member of the Order for Baptist Ministry