March 2011 Book Reviews by Revd Canon John Thomson, Director of Ministry

Andrew Pratt, Practical Skills for Ministry (London: SCM, 2010) 

David Parrott, Your Church and the Law: A Simple Exploration and Guide (Norwich: Canterbury Press, 2008).

If you are looking for hands on practical wisdom about ministry and legal matters, then these clear and accessible books are for you. Pratt’s book looks at the range of ministry issues, including the context and nature of ministry and its pastoral and reflective character; mission and congregations including Fresh Expressions, emerging Church and inherited Church, the challenges of leadership and change, working with others, as well as more familiar issues such as Worship, Baptism, Communion, Marriage and Civil Partnerships, Funerals. Good advice is given around safeguarding issues, meetings, management and relationships beyond the Church. What I found refreshing was the integration of spirituality throughout. Parrott’s book is a shorter version of James Behrens Practical Church Management (Gracewing, 2005) and deals with all the legal information any parish needs.

These books would be of interest to clergy, lay ministers, Church Wardens, PCC Secretaries and PCC members. Both books can be borrowed from the Resources Centre at Church House, Rotherham.