Pastors

PK Confidential

A review of ‘The Pastor’s Kid’ by Barnabas Piper

I am not a pastor’s kid. I didn’t even grow up in the church. But in the 15 years I’ve spent in the pews, I’ve always taken notice of the pastor’s kid. Most of us do. And in the process, we often develop unfair ideas of what a pastor’s kid is—or should be. To many a pastor’s kid is a spiritual prodigy, a prayer warrior, scriptural concordance, and Christ-like service machine all rolled into one.

I am exaggerating, but, as Barnabas Piper (son of well-known pastor, John Piper) points out in The Pastor’s Kid: Finding Your Own Faith and Identity (Cook, 2014), the expectations placed on pastors’ kids are often unfair and downright dangerous. And Barnabas seeks to show that. “My aim is to raise awareness of the struggles of PKs and give a voice to a group of people who are often well recognized but little known.”

In pursuing this goal, Barnabas provides a frank, gutsy look at the faith and identity of the children of spiritual leaders. Barnabas writes in a memoir style, tying together research and his personal experiences. He provides real-life stories and numerous quotations from interviews with fellow PKs. Along the way Barnabas addresses popular stereotypes of PKs, the “rollercoaster” of PK expectations, and identity issues among PKs.

When life is always about showing God to a group, it can be hard to see God individually.

In the first four chapters, Barnabas invites readers into his personal experiences as he seeks to redefine the stereotypes many hold about PKs. In Chapter 5, “What a PK Needs More Than Anything,” Barnabas provides advice for helping give what any and every PK needs—a rich understanding and application of grace. The children of pastors need to know and experience Christ for themselves. He stresses that it is not safe to assume faith is simply inherited. Barnabas writes poignantly about the spiritual challenges PKs face.

“Finding God was the greatest challenge. Being raised in an atmosphere where God was ministry, vocation, and hobby makes it hard to be amazed by the gospel. Being raised where life is always about showing God to a group makes it hard to see God individually.”

Many who look to John Piper for inspiration and insight may pick up The Pastor’s Kid for Chapters 6 and 7 alone. Barnabas writes candidly and respectfully about his father and gives readers a front row seat to being raised by a famous pastor. He also challenges pastors to make sure they’re being a dad to their children, not simply their pastor.

Some have critiqued the book for what they see as a negative tone. Barnabas concedes he may have appeared to be hard on pastors, their children, and their congregations. But that candor is exactly what enables him to raise awareness about the struggles PKs face. The Pastor’s Kid is a great read for pastors, pastors’ kids, and for everyone who cares about them.—Jason Brueckner

Copyright © 2014 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal.Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.

Also in this issue

How to keep it all rolling

Our Latest

New Archbishop of Canterbury Steps into Anglican Divides

Conservatives call on Sarah Mullally, the first woman at the spiritual helm of the Church of England, to uphold biblical faith amid same-sex blessings debate.

News

FDA Approves Generic Abortion Pill

Students for Life leader calls the move “a stain on the Trump presidency.”

News

John Cornyn’s MAGA-land Challenge

The incumbent senator is up against his strongest challenge yet in populist-right leader Ken Paxton.

Fighting Korea’s Loneliness Epidemic with Cafés and Convenience Stores

Seoul recently introduced free public services to tackle social isolation. Christians have been doing that for years.

You Haven’t Heard Worship Music like This

John Van Deusen’s praise is hard-won and occasionally wordless.

Excerpt

‘Don’t Take It If You Don’t Need It’

The Trump administration releases new recommendations for Tylenol use during pregnancy.

The Russell Moore Show

BONUS: Lecrae on Reconstruction after Disillusionment

 Lecrae joins Russell Moore to take questions from Christianity Today subscribers

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube