****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
The Man. The Ministry. The Mission.Vulnerable. Inspiring. Honest. These are the three words that come to mind after reading The Man. The Ministry. The Mission. Reverend Dr. Lee P. Washington takes you on a journey from his childhood to his current status as the Pastor Emeritus of Reid Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church. I consider this book a gem because it is rare a pastor, retired or not, shares the challenges and successes of their journey before and after accepting “the call” to ministry. As I read each page, I felt as though I was sitting with the author as he reflected on his life, family, ministry and legacy. Each chapter ends with questions designed to challenge you to reflect on what you have read and perhaps make adjustments to how you are fulfilling your divine assignment or destiny.I believe this book is appropriate for members of the clergy, pastors, and students pursing a degree in religious studies or an advanced degree in divinity. While there is reference to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, this book is applicable to anyone who is grappling with and/or has accepted the call to ministry. For some, the ministry may be serving as a Bishop, Pastor, or Ministry Leader. Yet for others, their ministry may be serving as a teacher, psychologist, bus driver, politician, or an adult who stays home to raise a child or care for an aging parent. While Washington’s occupations included the federal government and serving as a Senior Pastor, I believe you will find some commonality with his journey and the path you are on in your respective field.Washington shares the lessons he learned from his parents and community which shaped him as a man, father, husband, pastor, leader and mentor. He moves on to share his response to “the call” in ministry and how he allowed the ministry and mission to take precedence over his role as husband and father to his wife and two sons. Shortly, after passing the midway point of the book you arrive at Chapter 9 entitled, “Pastor: Do you have a Therapist?” To have a pastor acknowledge they have benefited from therapy and share a list of concerns that led them to sit with a therapist for individual, couple and family sessions is uncommon, particularly within the African American community. As you read the entire book you will notice a theme of authenticity, sincere desire to serve others and dedication. It is certainly evident that his faith in God and obedience to the call is what enabled him to grow a congregation from a couple of hundred to well over 12,000 members. Starting small and building the ministry with a team of volunteers and staff were key to his success.This book is meant to inform, encourage, challenge, and warn the reader about the twists and turns you may experience in both your professional, spiritual and personal life once you accept the call to serve others. I encourage seasoned and new leaders to read this book and respond to the questions at the end of each chapter. Rather than go off into the sunset and think of himself during retirement, Reverend Dr. Lee P. Washington does what he has always done, think of ways he can help others fulfill their destiny while making sure they take care of their mind, body and spirit.
