THE RENEWED PASTOR
Writings in honour of Philip Hacking
Edited by Melvin Tinker
Mentor. 255 pages. £14.99
Available from Reform (PO Box 1183, Sheffield S10 3YA) for £10.00 plus £1.50 P&P
ISBN 978 1 845 508 050
Philip Hacking ‘was ordained [into Anglican ministry] in 1955 and began a curacy in the Parish of St. Helen in St. Helens, near Liverpool. This was followed by nine years as curate-in-charge / rector of St. Thomas, Edinburgh (1959-1968). In October 1968, Philip was appointed vicar of Christ Church, Fulwood, Sheffield. He remained as vicar in this parish for 29 years before retiring from full-time ministry in 1997’ (Wikipedia)
This volume is a collection of essays written in honour of an evangelical Anglican pastor who served the gospel (and continues to serve it) with deep humility and great distinction. There are 14 contributors, some of whom are household names in our evangelical constituency.
The thread that ties the contributions together is that each article ‘touches on issues that have been close to Philip’s heart throughout his ministry, and which need to be close to the hearts of any pastor today’ (Hugh Palmer in the introduction).
Some of the articles have direct connections with Mr. Hacking’s life and ministry, others are more stand-alone contributions like Don Carson’s essay on ‘The Pastor and Worship’. Some essays are written by Free Church men who enjoy gospel solidarity with Philip Hacking, others by Anglican colleagues.
Helpful in different ways
I find it difficult to summarise the book. All the contributions are helpful in different ways. Melvin Tinker’s opening chapter on the biblical principles that shape true pastoral work is edifying and challenging. Don Carson’s essay is a full and expansive treatment of the principles that shape true worship. John Stevens of the FIEC makes helpful observations on Gospel Partnerships.
There’s a contribution from Jim Packer on paedobaptism which this Baptist found interesting, but, of course, unconvincing. And so the list goes on to include Peter Lewis (prayer), Tim Chester and Steve Timmis (theology), Paul Williams (evangelism), Frank Retief (church planting), David Holloway (church growth), John Risbridger (student ministry) and Peter Adam (preaching).
From a personal point of view, one of the most interesting contributions was the last piece from Gerald Bray, who writes about the challenges of being an evangelical Anglican pastor in the modern era. He seeks to make the case that evangelical Anglican preachers should remain in the denomination and exercise their ministries for the greater good. ‘The God of grace who raised his Son Jesus Christ from the dead is the same God who will raise his church from its slumber, and the pastor who is faithful and committed to that task will have the joy of knowing that he has been a good and faithful servant of the One who invites him in to share in his eternal life.’ There is no doubt that Philip Hacking is one such gospel worker.
Challenging refresher
All the essays are worth reading and some are worth the price of the book on their own.
It’s a must buy for ministerial candidates and for pastors in training. It’s a challenging refresher for those already in ministry. This reviewer, who has 44 years of pastoral ministry in his locker, found fresh and inspiring words here.
