Description:When a newly called pastor enters a congregation, the first weeks and months are times of careful navigation and many hidden land mines. This veteran pastor shares his stories and insights with others who begin this ministerial journey. A delightful book, this volume is a must read for seminarians and all pastors who enter a new call. The reader will find helpful hints and wonderful appendices to help a pastor through such a perilous time. Issues around entry set the tone for one's tenure. This is a book for clergy gatherings, conferences, peer groups, and workshops with helpful questions for reflection after each chapter.Endorsements:For over three decades, Pastor Cobb has been an outstanding pastor. Now serving in a seminary community, he daily imparts a seasoned parson's wisdom to students preparing for parish ministry. His clear-headed insights into parish ministry realities will delight seasoned veterans as much as newly-ordained servants. Both practical and profound, this book will help the Church's servants who yearn to grow stronger in fulfilling their callings and to experience deep joy in ministry.the Rev. Dr. Michael Cooper-White, President, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, PA When navigating the waters of parish entry, the new pastor must steer among an intricate new context for ministry. Coupling experiential wisdom and concrete ideas, Dr. Cobb creates a compass that uses the details of parish administration and discernment of the faith community to chart a course. 'New Pastor, New Parish' helps a newly called pastor find the deep water, and keeps the bow pointed toward the beacon of Gospel ministry.The Rev. Chad Rimmer, Pastor, Union Lutheran Church, York, PA Facing the many questions surrounding the call process can easily become a 'hit or miss' experience. In this book, the author covers all of the 'perils' and 'pearls' one will face either in transition or in beginning a discernment process with a call to parish ministry. Readers will be appreciative of the 'mentoring' and 'here's how to' approach of the author who provides ample illustrative material, excellent questions for reflection, good humor, and the sharing of his own deep love for parish ministry and life. This book has all the right stuff to become a useful and helpful resource for making good and faithful decisions in the call process and parish entry issues.The Rev. Dr. Charles Maahs, Bishop Emeritus, Central States Synod (Kansas/Missouri), Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaAbout the Contributor(s):Dr. James G. Cobb serves as Associate Dean for Church Vocations and Lifelong Learning at Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pa. He has served parishes in Annapolis, Md., Fredericksburg, Va., Grand Rapids, Mich., and Norfolk, Va. He is married to the Rev. Judith A. Cobb, ELCA Regional Coordinator, and they are the parents of two adult sons.
