ST PAUL is usually regarded as a teacher and evangelist. Much less has been written about Paul as Pastor, a theme that Patrick Whitworth explores and builds on to offer practical advice for today’s ministers (BRF, £7.99 (£7.20); 978-0-85746-046-2).

Paul Tripp expresses his view that the shape of much of the Church’s pastoral culture is unhealthy, and exposes ministers to pressures and temptations that have a knock-on effect on the people they pastor. He describes Dangerous Calling as a diagnostic book; in other words, he hopes his readers will be honest with themselves as they take stock of their lives and ministries with the help of his guidance, and allow God to bring transformation and healing through the process (IVP, £12.99 (£11.70); 978-1-84474-602-6).

Russell Herbert argues that the Church should aim for a much stronger sense of all ages together, both in worship and church life in general. In Growing Through the Church, he emphasises the need for people of all generations to grow as disciples, and advocates an approach that, he thinks, will be fruitful for all (Kevin Mayhew, £11.99 (£10.80); 978-1-84867-539-1).

Dearly Beloved: Building God’s people through Morning and Evening Prayer by Mark Burkill focuses on the intention behind the 1662 Offices, their content, and what can be learnt from them (The Latimer Trust, £5.99 (£5.40); 978-1-906327-10-1). In the same series is Day by Day: The rhythm of the Bible in the Book of Common Prayer by Benjamin Sargent, on the calendar, collects, lectionary, and Psalter (The Latimer Trust, £5.99 (£5.40); 978-1-906327-11-8).

The Pocket Book of Blessings, first published in 1991, provides blessings for use by the clergy in a variety of situations, e.g. miscarriage, houses, shop, wedding cake, car, animals (Columba Press, £5.99 (£5.40); 978-1-85607-783-5).