Book Review: Confessions of a Small Town Minister by David John Ford.

 Which is more challenging to be a pastor in urban areas or in small towns? Some would say it is easy to lead a church in a small town because of the simpler lifestyle. Some would say it is easier to manage the team in a small town because of fewer staff and fewer internal conflicts. Some would say it is easier to nurture genuine relationships with a small group of people. But are those all the factors to consider if it is easy to minister in a small town? Is "easy" even the proper word to use?

The "Confessions of a Small Town Minister" by David John Ford is about a small-town minister named Ben and how God puts him in different places in his life continually seeking God's voice for every decision he makes. It is a historical fiction book set in Montana where David spent several years as a minister. Most of David's life is reflected in Ben's journey.

The first part of the book is about how Ben stepped down as the minister of a church and how he slowly started his own drafting company. Later on, he began to attend his mentor's church and participate in teaching roles. From time to time Ben always seeks God's wisdom upon facing decisions in his life. His openness to discipleship to his mentor and conversations with his wife are evident in the book. 

The role of his wife and family play a major role in Ben's life. David didn't just write a book about ministry or pastoring but also he emphasized the importance of family. There was a time when his kids became a part of choosing a sermon for him to deliver. Personally, I thought this book was just about how a minister deals with problems at church and even how to run it. But more than that I believe this is a discipleship book. Every one of us needs a mentor or a trusted friend who can help us discern God's calling in our lives. This book also shows how God can use us in our vocation for his kingdom. Not only people who are church workers or pastors have the opportunity to serve God.

Everyone could enjoy this book not only the pastors or even the small-town ministers. If you are from the city or big church you can definitely learn a lot from this. Even if you are a volunteer or just a person who attends church this is a must-read for you. It can also serve as a guide to those people who are considering quitting their vocational jobs and becoming a minister and vice-versa. This book will help to guide you if you are in the midst of a major crossroad in your life especially a shift in career.

I give this a 9.1 out of 10 rating. The various themes and versatility of the book are impressive. It doesn't single out the non-church ministers. The transparency of how a minister deals with his personal struggles in life and family is a jewel. I love how Ben interacts with different people in the town in unique settings and his dialogues with them. David's style of writing is not hard to follow and understand, especially for those non-native English readers like me. 

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