Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint
Heavily tattooed and loud-mouthed, Nadia, a former stand-up comic, sure as hell didn't consider herself to be religious leader material—until the day she ended up leading a friend's funeral in a smoky downtown comedy club. Surrounded by fellow alcoholics, depressives, and cynics, she realized: These were her people. Maybe she was meant to be their pastor.
Using life stories—from living in a hopeful-but-haggard commune of slackers and her unusual but undeniable spiritual calling to her experiences pastoring people from all walks of life—and poignant honesty, Nadia portrays a woman who is both deeply faithful and deeply flawed, giving hope to the rest of us along the way.
Wildly entertaining and deeply resonant, this is the book for people who hunger for a bit of hope that doesn't come from vapid consumerism; for women who talk too loud and guys who love chick flicks; and for the gay person who loves Jesus and won't be shunned by the church. In short, this book is for every misfit suspicious of institutionalized religion but who is still seeking transcendence and mystery.
Reviews (172)
Just what I needed
On a visit to Denver a few weeks ago, I picked up my daughter's copy of Pastrix . . . and couldn't put it down. (In spite of language you'd think Pastor Nadia might've outgrown by now.) As a Christian steeped in evangelical subculture from the womb, that label has grown increasingly itchy and uncomfortable for me over several decades, and it was not only refreshing to visit the Gospels and Jesus' parables through the eyes and experience of a cranky sinner/saint, but some of her insights had me in tears even before I'd finished my first cup of coffee. Yes, THAT Jesus. Grace. Mercy. Love. Forgiveness. Since we were in Denver, we decided to go to church at House for All Sinners and Saints. Pastor Nadia was there, tats and all, but a guest preached a short sermon during the very liturgical first-Sunday-of-Lent one-hour service. I found the liturgy rich and beautiful, full of the Gospel and Jesus-centered. But two things surprised and disappointed us: the congregation was very white (though diverse in many other ways). Other than the generic "passing of the peace," no one spoke to us, greeted us personally, asked who we were or where we were from or why we came--even though we were there a half an hour early and were the first ones there (besides the set-up folks). Too bad, since my daughter is gay, new to Denver, and searching for a gay-friendly and racially diverse church. The next day I continued reading Pastrix--and had to laugh. The chapter was "The Wrong Kind of Difference" and Nadia confessed how hard it was for her cranky self to welcome suburban folks who "looked like mom and dad," though she felt convicted that House for ALL meant "all"! Guess that's still a growing edge at HFASS. Now my husband is reading the book--and he keeps saying, "Wow." Hitting us both right where we need it.
Even if you don’t feel like you belong, this book changes that. You belong.
As someone raised in the deep southern baptist realm of Texas my first 22 years of life and now approaching my 35th birthday, FINALLY words to put with the truth in my heart. I still have anger and forgiveness issues with the church and with my family. Frightened to open scriptures for over 10 years... BUT Nadia inspires me to look again. To be open. To know I still belong under the tent. I can’t say enough good things about this book - raw, real, honest, and exactly what I have been searching for. She is a real soul sister and I hope one day I can have her sign my book - this was the book that encouraged me to start opening up to the idea that scripture has more to say than what the preacher man I grew up with had to say.
Great Book!
What a surprise. Wonderfully contemporary and insightful tome. As a Seminary Graduate myself I simply could not put this book down! Nadia hits hard various church issues in a no non-sense formula that is truthful and wise. The narrative is confessional meaning she pulls no punches on her own life journey which is compelling and forthright! I simply loved this book and could not put it down. I read it in a couple of days. The theology in the book is spot on and makes you think about contemporary issues from the standpoint of Jesus of Nazareth. The themes presented, in my view, show where modern, progressive Christina values are heading. Things are changing, and the 'ole' time religion of condemnation, self-righteousness, and harsh judgement, is falling away in cultural consciousness. Bolz-Webber show us that God's plan is far different than anything the modern Evangelical Movement can provide. This tome is simply and powerfully a Great Book in every sense of the word.
I'm a conservative Christian and I say "Read this Book!"
A young gay couple came to my church on Easter Sunday. During our post-church potluck, one of them shared how they felt comfortable at our church. I said I hoped they felt welcomed, and she noted they did. It turns out that they have been asked to leave other churches. My heart ached for them. They want to know our risen Savior, but instead of churches welcoming them into their own brokenness, churches stomp on them and piously claim that God hates homosexuality more than any other sin. (No one has been able to give me the Biblical reference on that...) Intrigued by Nadia, I bought this book. But I put off reading it for a very long time because of some of the reviews that demonize her. Yet, after my encounter with the two young (married) ladies this week, I opened it. I read, I hurt with Nadia and her congregants, I understood how broken they (we) all are, I wept, and I was chastised by God for the way that I, too, have focused on categorizing people than loving them. But look at the genealogy of Jesus. It contains a prostitute from Jericho and a foreign woman who skulked in dark corners with a man to capture his hand in marriage. And as Nadia shares, Jesus first revealed his risen self to a woman who had her own share of brokenness. God speaks to us in truth, but sometimes he uses a 2x4 to fully capture our attention. Nadia's book was the 2x4 I needed this week. I strongly recommend you read this book, then spend time on your knees to know his heart and his love for his people.
Enjoyable
I was so excited to read this book! It is irreverent yet full of soft love. The author, Nadia Bolz-Weber, describes herself as an unlikely minister. People tire her. She likes to be left alone, yet she is called to minister to those who would otherwise probably be unchurched. The book was exciting to read until the end. I felt as if it could have ended about fifty pages sooner. Also, there were times when it seemed like the author was too proud of all her church accomplishments. However, she readily admits that pride is one of her downfalls. This book is full of crass, unfiltered love. It is rough around the edges, as if the author. The language is that of a foul-mouthed sailor. If that offends you, why do you want to read this book? Let me point out that I am not nearly as liberal as the author is, but I have much respect for her. You can easily have a different opinion and still enjoy this book. I simply loved it. I recommend it.
Great product and price!
Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!
Nadia Bolz Weber provides inspiration to use to expand your own spiritual journey, if you don't fear being bitch-slapped by God
This first book by Nadia Bolz Weber introduces readers to a unique and unusual woman of faith. You might find her story, language and appearance shocking. But she is "the real deal." A Christian theologian and Lutheran Pastor who lives her faith and is authentic about her journey. My husband had not read "Accidental Saints" for our church Book group first so he was shocked when he started Pastrix. But I think he eventually found her stories of tolerance and acceptance to hold a valuable message. For myself, I loved the way Weber approached the seasons of the Church year and the lessons of Jesus in the Gospels with creativity, vitality and enthusiasm.
love it
Just finished the chapter on loving your neighbor and praying for those who persecute you.....I laughed and identified with every thing. As a liberal Christian Democrat and recovering alcoholic, I must say that the past 4 years were a massive turmoil in my brain as I hate trump with a passion. The only way I survived was to TRY to see that he as also a child of God and God's creation. But I cried tears of joy and relief when Biden won. I live in a red state and red redneck town. I have found about a dozen, if that many, people who voted for Biden. You are an inspiration and love your cussing!
Messy Christianity
People who grow up in a church sometimes don't get what the core of Christianity is. It's not about being nice; it's about being saved--saved from yourself, from your demons, from what others have done to you, often with the best of intentions. Nadia gets it. Though she grew up in a strict, religious home, she went about as far as one could in the opposite direction. And when she returned, via the recovery movement, and after a stint as a stand up comic, she found herself called not simply to follow Jesus but to be a pastor. These are her raw and beautiful thoughts on grace, delivered as unfiltered and uncensored as one of the prophets. This is a glimpse of the God who is love from one who knows the hell of being unloved and who founded the House of All Sinners and Saints for all the other misfit toys in the world.
Looking through a different lens
This book looks at the world through a different lens then what we typically follow. It provides the opportunity to reflect on your own views and perspectives in the world that surrounds us. Jesus always met people where they were at and not where he wanted them to be. He didn’t shy away from telling them the truth and the direction that they needed to head, but always starting at where they were in the moment and always with compassion. This is a real-life view of meeting people where they are at and showing compassion. I appreciate having my neat & tidy (perhaps filtered) views of life challenged in reading Nadia’s book.
Comments
Post a Comment