The Unnecessary Pastor

Academy of Parish Clergy, Top Ten Books of the Year (2001)

Reformed Review
"Every once in a while, a book comes along that should be required reading for everyone who is in ministry. . . If you have enjoyed previous works by Dawn and/or Peterson, you will enjoy this book as well. It is a book that draws pastors, especially closer to God and encourages us to rely more fully on his grace."

Provident Book Finder
"This is a rich book with much to assist both pastors and laypersons in shaping their biblical identity as countercultural servants of Jesus Christ."

Christian Retailing
"The book's premise is that there are three ways that pastors are unnecessary: to what the culture presumes is important, to what pastors themselves feel is essential and to what congregations insist that pastors must do and be. The Unnecessary Pastor should liberate ministers from such manmade limitations and free them to become what God has called them to be. It's likely not only to be popular with clergy, but also clergy-to-be, as seminarians could definitely benefit from its godly insights."

Leadership
"Peterson and Dawn's book is a path back to the altar of honesty. Dawn and Petersen have come to set us free of our addictions to self-importance. It has always been better to be needy than necessary. Their book rightly teaches us that we are unnecessary. When we doubt it, we are irrelevant as well."