Rules for Reverends

Reviews / Votes

Wonderful stuff! An insider's notes on clergy experience. Heed the advice, watch the warnings, spot the wisdom. I dare you not to laugh. Nick Baines, Bishop of Bradford Rules for Reverends has a flippant title, but while it is often light-hearted, it is far from being disrespectful or frivolous. Indeed, there is much practical (and quite a bit of theological) wisdom distilled into these small, attractively set out pages, with Dave Walker's black and white line drawings adding a wry visual twist to many of them. In fact, these rules are not just for reverends at all. Anyone inflicted with the habit of regular church-going would do well to read them, since they offer advice to all concerned which, if followed, would bring sunshine and smiles to many a parish. Some of these rules are solidly practical: 'If you want something to thrive, threaten to abolish it'. 'Always accept a resignation'. 'If your church has lots of needy people, it's probably because it's doing the right thing. But that doesn't make it easier to handle'. 'You may not be designed for small talk. Watch a master, and steal three phrases which will help. Asking people about themselves is a good starter'. And the last rule in the book: 'No, it's not a job. Yes, it is the best in the world'. This is a good and clever little book. It would not be a bad thing if every parish had a library copy somewhere in church. Let me end with a rule of my own: 'Reviewing books is sometimes difficult. When there is nothing else to say, quoting large chunks of text will fill the page nicely, and with a bit of luck, nobody will notice'. Review by Peter Westfield New Directions October 2013