Whereas much of the current literature on pastoring stresses up-to-date training and new techniques stemming from the behavioral sciences, Eugene Peterson here calls for returning to an 'old' resource - the Bible - as the basis for all of pastoral ministry.

Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work shows how five Old Testament books provide a solid foundation for much of what a pastor does:

Prayer-Directing: Song of Songs
Story-Making: Ruth
Pain-Sharing: Lamentations
Nay-Saying: Ecclesiastes
Community-Building: Esther


Pointing to the relevance of ancient wisdom, adapting Jewish religious tradition to contemporary pastoral practice, and affirming a significant link between pastoral work and the act of worship, this book opens up to pastors a wealth of valuable practical-theological insights.