“Mondays with My Old Pastor”
by Jose Luis Navajo

Thomas Nelson

Summary

“Mondays with My Old Pastor” is a timely book written to give hope and encouragement to ministers who have burnt-out, or who are burning out. and can be of help to anyone who has ever felt they can’t do anything right, don’t know anything helpful, and are not useful to anyone. It gives refreshment to those who have poured our their lives and find there is nothing left to give. It draws a map for those who have lost their course. Above all, it points us to reigniting our passion for Jesus, the scriptures, the cross and the gospel.

Review

When I got this book I had no idea what I was about to experience, but after reading the prologue my appetite was thoroughly whet and I couldn’t wait to get into it. I have a special perspective on this book because I suffered through a pretty intense burnout a few years ago and was amazed how accurately Pastor José Luis Navajo describes the experience. Though the characters are fictional, the story is firmly grounded in reality and is told deliberately, beautifully, passionately and personally.

Very rarely does a book captivate me in such a way that I don’t want to put it down, but my anticipation only grew as I continued to read because it was like reading my own story – and I have a feeling that anyone who has felt disappointed with themselves, their faith, or their ministry, will experience the same. I don’t know if it is possible for me to be truly objective in my review of this book because it speaks to me close closely (but I’ll try!).

Anyone who has ever longed to sit at the feet of a spiritual master will be captivated by the story of the young pastor and his mentor who is slowly succumbing to life-threatening illness, urgently giving his protégé the hard-learned principles that have governed his life. The helpful and powerful insights come so fast and furiously that they are, at times, overwhelming. This book, full of candid talk and beautiful illustrations, will speak deep into your heart and gently encourage you to lay your pride, idols, doubts and fears at the foot of the cross of Christ. Navajo gave voice to struggles and concerns I have had for many years, but never had the words to articulate, and then comforted me by showing me how to bring them to Jesus. Just when the theology and practical truths are almost too much to process, Navajo tells a story which draws the reader back to reality and grounds the lofty thoughts somewhere we can reach them. The narrative of the interplay between the young and the old pastor is used as a great device for tying the chapters together and generating the desire to keep turning pages.

Criticism

There is not much to criticize in this book other than at times the language seems unnecessarily flowery (overly descriptive of certain things not critical to the story) and on occasion the narrative, which is usually grounded in reality, feels fabricated (the characters are amazing in their ability to remember quotes and who they are attributed to) and mystical (there are magical flowers growing outside the front door – I won’t say more, because it will ruin a surprise). None of these issues take away from the fact that this is an amazing book.

Conclusion

Sometimes we go through something we believe no one else can help us with, and which even we ourselves can’t define. All the sincere questions from our family and friends can’t help because we don’t know how to answer them – we don’t know what is wrong. It is a book like this that, when our world is crumbling, gives us the words to describe how we feel and then provides the gentle push we need to cry out to the only One who can hold us together.