The Penguin Principles: A Survival Manual For Clergy Seeking Maturity In Ministry - Softcover

Belasic, David S; Schmidt, Paul M

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0895367998 ISBN 13: 9780895367990

Publisher: CSS Publishing Company, 1986

Synopsis

Question: Why is a parish pastor like a penguin?

Answer:
Penguins have a way of looking dignified and ridiculous simultaneously.
Penguins are sensitive to heat.
Penguins have treacherous enemies.
Penguins are relatively defenseless.
Penguins have a homing instinct.
No matter what happens to penguins, they keep their heads high.
(from the Authors' Preface)

While the surgeon-general has yet to rule publicly on this matter, the evidence suggests that reading this book could be injurious to the professional health and the personality of those pastors who are without fault; who have never had a parishioner or a denominational official or a seminary professor lay a guilt trip on them; and who find it painful to laugh at themselves.
Lyle E. Schaller
Yokefellow Institute
(from the Foreword)

I believe this book will be a balm to veterans in the pastoral office and will help new clergy avoid many of the pitfalls that lie hidden in the path.
Paul A. Weber
President, Ohio District, LCMS

David S. Belasic is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church and school, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Paul M. Schmidt serves Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Spokane, Washington. Friends and colleagues for many years, they have also co-authored The Gospel According to You.

About this title

About the Author

Lyle E. Schaller is the country's leading interpreter of congregational systems and their vitality. He is the author of dozens of books, including The New Context for Ministry, What Have We Learned? and The Very Large Church, all published by Abingdon Press.

Edition details

• Publisher: CSS Publishing Company
• Publication date: 1986
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0895367998
• ISBN 13: 9780895367990
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 83