A Common Bond

Just as only lawyers can really understand lawyers and nurses can only understand other nurses, only a preacher can really understand the life of a preacher. That’s one reason preachers like to get together. When we get together, we laugh, tell stories, and feel a connection that is hard to describe.

A few years ago, Paula Harrington compiled a book for preachers’ wives. My mom was one of the contributors to that book, which was a collection of quotes, tips, advice, and stories. Now, our sister Paula has done it again, this time turning our attention to the preachers themselves. Her new book, A Common Bond, is a collection of stories and tips from preachers who have “been there” and “done that.” I’m honored that sister Harrington asked me to review the book on our blog!

The names of the preachers are ones you will recognize, but it is far more than the names that make this book memorable. What makes this collection of material memorable is that a preacher finds himself nodding, laughing, and even shedding a tear, knowing that he isn’t “the only one” who has faced a particular situation or gone through a certain difficulty.

My dad is among the 30 ministers who contributed to this work. Other names include Dan Winkler, the late Jim Bill McInteer, Jay Lockhart, Keith Parker, and Hardeman Nichols. Simply reading their words (some attributed and some anonymous due to the sensitivity of the questions) will give a preacher a renewed sense of brotherhood.

If you are a preacher, or would like to understand preachers just a little more, I think you’ll find this book helpful. You may click here for more from Paula’s personal blog. Her post contains a link to purchase the book.