Book Review: Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp

Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry. By Paul David Tripp. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway. pp. 240. 2012. ($22.99 Hardcover | $15.99 Kindle | $12.98 Audio)

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Five Stars (Highly Recommended)

Not long ago Paul Tripp’s newly-released book, Dangerous Calling, was on sale for 80% off for pastors and seminary students. Why such a large discount on a brand new book? Because someone believes this book belongs on every pastor’s shelf. After listening to the audio book, I wish I had jumped on the sale at the time.

Paul Tripp’s book is divided into three sections: Examining Pastoral Culture; The Danger of Losing Your Awe (Forgetting Who God Is); and The Danger of Arrival (Forgetting Who You Are). It’s hard to say which chapter or section was most valuable to me personally. Perhaps it was the emphasis on a pastor’s need of community. Trip speaks again and again on the concept that what’s good for church members is good for the pastor, especially involvement in and support from a gospel community. There’s a lot in there for anyone serving in ministry.

Tripp speaks from experience as a pastor and brings years of ministry to pastors themselves to this book. He doesn’t write as someone who used to have conflicts and personal struggles in ministry a long time ago, but as someone who has to wrestle daily with temptations and the urge to settle into mediocrity.

Add to this a superb narration from Maurice England, and the audio book version is a resource I’ll turn to again and again. Highly recommended.

I received this audio book from the publisher for purposes of review.