M. Craig Barnes Knihy

Craig Barnes shares how during times of change and seeming abandonment, God is right at our side offering a new direction, offering us new life.

"Today's pastors -- often expected to be multi-tasking marvels who can make their churches "successful" -- are understandably confused about their role. Craig Barnes contends that the true calling of a pastor is to help others become fully alive in Christ, to be what he calls a "minor poet," or a poet of the soul. As such, pastors are to read the major poets of Scripture and history in light of the dust and grit of daily parish life." The Pastor as Minor Poet eloquently calls pastors to search for a deeper understanding of what they see -- both in the text of Scripture and in the text of their parishioners' lives. A critical part of this poetic vision involves discerning key subtext beneath these texts, which allows pastors to preach the heart of the Word and to understand the hearts of their people.

For those with an unrelieved longing for community and family, Barnes has good news: Discover the God who is with you on the road.