Book Recommendation {A Pastor’s Sketches}

By Jenni, June 9, 2015

Just popping in to recommend a book I’m reading and very excited about. I’m only partway in, but I am almost certain that I’ll love the entire thing. I’m reading and discussing it with a group from church, and so far the book and discussions have been really thought-provoking and helpful.

The book addresses the topic of evangelism, but not in the way many of us have grown to expect. It’s a collection of records from Pastor Ichabod Spencer, who wrote down the gospel conversations he had with people during his ministry. Spencer lived in the Northeast USA from 1798-1854 and served as pastor of Jonathan Edwards’ former church for a few years before serving for over 20 years as a pastor in Brooklyn.  Amazingly he cataloged a sketch of every one of over 20,000 pastoral visits conducted during that time.  Later in life he selected 77 of the most interesting sketches which were published to form this book. Each sketch also includes a little bit of his commentary on each case. There is so much to be gleaned from reading the wide variety of conversations he had, and how he dealt with different people at different stages of spiritual awakening (or lack thereof).

You can read more about the book, as well as an excerpt here: http://www.solid-ground-books.com/detail_58.asp?flag=4#load

I luuuuuuurve exchanging with friends our own records of gospel conversations, and thinking about/discussing how we can better clarify the biblical worldview and glorious gospel to those God places in our paths. This book is like 77 of those conversations you can replay as much as needed, as well as 77 pieces of kindling for such conversations. It’s also just really enjoyable to read, which is an added perk. 🙂