“Many pastors feel an irreconcilable disconnect between the priority of preaching and the pressing responsibilities of leadership, and conclude that they must choose between the two” (pp. 1–2). So writes John Currie, Professor of Pastoral Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, in the opening pages of The Pastor as Leader: Principles and Practices for Connecting Preaching and Leadership. In so doing, he identifies both a “disconnect” and dilemma that I (and doubtless many others) have often felt. Better still, he has written an accessible and thoughtful response to it.

Currie is well-placed to write such a book. His wisdom has been gained and honed in the realms of both the church and the academy. This is evident from the theological and intellectual rigour with which he writes and from his deeply pastoral and practical applications of the principles of his book.

The intention of this book is stated at the outset: “The Pastor as Leader seeks to equip pastors to effectively steward their responsibilities as leaders in Christ’s cause while being unashamedly committed to preaching as the primary means by which Christ extends his church’s mission in the world” (p. 1). He is clear about the way the disconnect and decision mentioned earlier harms the effective work of God’s people in their mission. His answer to it is likewise clear: “pastoral leadership by appointment of Christ and in union with Christ that prioritises preaching the word of God on the mission of God … because Christ leads his kingdom through his word preached, preaching is leadership and preachers are leaders in God’s cause” (p. 5). This is the key conviction that Currie argues for throughout the book.

At its heart the book is a motif that is driven home through both chapter titles and content: “a man of God.” Currie defines what he means by this expression, as follows: “In the Scriptures a man was God’s man sent to proclaim God’s word to lead God’s people into God’s purposes. He was a preacher-leader” (p. 7, emphasis original). Jesus is “the man of God” par excellence. Jesus is also the template for preaching as leading. And so, out of this motif, and this man of God, Currie first establishes “Principles” in Part 1 (chs. 1–5) and then the “Practices” in Part 2 (chs. 6–10) that necessarily emerge from those principles.

The focus of each chapter is helpfully established by the chapter titles and subtitles. In part 1, a man of God is described in terms of the principles of his “mission” (ch. 1), “leadership” (ch. 2), “identity” (ch. 3), “power” (ch. 4), and “example” (ch. 5). In summary, the man of God who leads God’s people pastorally is committed by being united to Christ and to the mission of Christ. This mission is

In this mission, the man of God, like his master, is identified as a “preacher-leader.” Also like his master, he needs to be empowered by the Holy Spirit in both his practice and productivity. Finally, he must be a man of godly character—one who is continually reshaped and reformed by God through the work of the Spirit.

In part 2, the practices that emerge from the principles of Part 1 are unpacked. Currie rightly starts with prayer—and, again, is particularly sharp in his examination of the prayer life of the man of God. He then turns to preaching. And preaching is inseparable from the clarity of vision and strategy, as well as example.

Currie is a particularly clear writer. This clarity is evident in five ways that make this an extremely valuable book. First, he is unashamedly Christocentric. Jesus is at the heart of everything that Currie writes, examines, suggests, and advises. This focus on Christ is clearly connected to Currie’s excellent handling of God’s word. Second, Currie is very good at definitions that are both biblical and intelligible. While his prose can be wordy at times, his definitions provide great clarity about the topics being discussed. Third, I appreciated the way that Currie connected vision and strategy to both the structure and content of preaching programmes within God’s people. The vision and strategy did not dominate the preaching, but neither were they disconnected from it. And this connection was both sharp enough to be practical but also flexible enough to be adaptable to context. Fourth, Currie provides helpful reflection sections at key points in the book. These build on his ability to identify and ask searching questions throughout the book. And, finally, Currie is consistent in addressing the main issue he has identified. He explains the model he has laid out in a way that is faithful to God’s word and able to be implemented in the life of God’s church.

I have now read this book twice this year. It has helped me better understand the disconnect I knew was there. It has placed me on a path of biblical reflection. And it has focused my eyes and practice on Jesus as “the man of God.” Could we ask for more from a book of this kind?