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Book Review “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Over the last several years I’ve come to view the materials published by The Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (http://ccef.org/) as invaluable for my tasks in pastoral ministry. I find myself often referring to their published journal, DVDs, and the growing number of books specifically designed to serve the church. Their approach to counseling is self-consciously biblical with a commitment to historical Christianity. Their materials can be trusted. They have done a yeoman’s work, especially for busy pastors who need accessible and biblically-faithful resources. One of the challenges I have experienced in pastoral ministry is how to wisely train men to be leaders. It is one thing to cultivate theological knowledge and a mature understanding of the scriptures. It is quite another to equip men to do difficult things. And, of course, leadership in the church is distinguished by the need to do difficult things. The ‘gotcha’ comes when we won’t do what we need to do because of our fear of the outcome, or indulging our fear of man. Ed Welch is an acquaintance of mine. He taught one of the pastoral counseling tracks at Sovereign Grace’s Pastor’s College where I attended. He is a faculty member at The Christian Counseling and Education Foundation and also serves as the Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia. In the book, When People Are Big And God Is Small, Welch gives attention to difficulties that are experienced by all of us. For example, how do we get beyond peer pressure, codependency, and the fear of man? This question is further compounded for those of us who serve as leaders in Christ’s church. Falling prey to our own fears and the whims of others cripples pastoral ministry and makes leadership within the church functionally ineffective. The fear of man is a trap, and this is especially the case for those in pastoral ministry. When People are Big and God is Small begins by identifying and analyzing our common fears in our interaction with others, all of which are based upon viewing people (and ourselves) as larger than God. Welch asks perceptive questions that enable us to see ourselves in this struggle. I found these questions quite telling as I examined my own propensity to the fear of man. Moreover, they have helped me identify these inclinations in those around me. Another thing that sets this book apart is the plethora of examples Welch provides. It is easy to find applications throughout the book that are adaptable to real-life scenarios. It seems as if Welch knows the same people I know. Perhaps this is indicative of the universality of these problems. As a pastor reading this book, I’m sure you will visualize names and faces within your own congregation. At the finish of each chapter, there are application questions that make this book conducive to a small group study. Welch ends his work with an encouragement to fear God and keep his commandments. He cites an eighteenth century pastor who struggled with a congregation that, “ . . . worried more about the opinions of others, than about God’s” (p. 219). I think this would prove to be the case in the majority of our churches. As we steel ourselves to be Christians in these turbulent times, fearing God and keeping His commandments is not only wise but necessary counsel. My greatest commendation for the book is its gospel-centeredness. There are plenty of books for pastors to read, but this book not only identifies a problem, it gives God-centered gospel hope to those caught in the trap of the fear of man. It draws our attention to the God who has saved us and delivered us for the praise of His glorious grace. It helps us change our gaze from one of self-centeredness to God-centeredness. The redemptive work of Christ permeates this book and helps us recalibrate our thinking. Welch squarely identifies our sinful tendencies, but does not leave us there. There is hope to change in Christ. It would have been helpful to include both a subject and scripture reference index in the book. In my reading I find myself referring often to these, especially in counseling situations. Perhaps it will be added in the next edition. This is a book to which you will refer time and again. It will help those who lead with you. It will help your entire congregation. But most importantly, it will help you be a more God-exalting pastor.
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Dan Morse is Pastor of Christ Our Redeemer Church in Vancouver, Washington.