Abstract
The occasion for this book is a sad one: the untimely death of its author, Ian Tomlinson, before the completion of his doctoral studies at King’s College, London. It is typically generous of his supervisor Martyn Percy that he has edited the thesis into this book and secured its publication. Tomlinson was an Anglican parish priest with 37 years of ministry spent in the same rural benefice, during which time he helped found and oversee the Diocesan Pastoral Care and Counselling Service.
The book offers an extended reflection on the writings of Wesley Carr (1941–2017), particularly the way in which Carr uses concepts from psychotherapeutic reflection on institutional life derived from the work of the Tavistock Clinic and Grubb Institute. Tomlinson shows through an applied theology methodology how Carr’s writing helped him interrogate and interpret his own priestly ministry by the repeated asking of the question: ‘What is happening to me and why?’ For those unfamiliar with Carr’s writings, Chapter 6 would be a good starting point: here, Tomlinson examines Carr’s major works and explains what he has learned from them. In Chapter 5, the core of the book, Tomlinson repeats five propositions from Carr’s book The Pastor as Theologian, in which Carr sets out the place of theological reflection on ministry in the Church in relation to society. Tomlinson responds to each proposition with a critical incident from his own ministry, and, in the dialogue between them, offers an interpretation of his practice. Of particular significance are the concepts of person, role and system, which Tomlinson sees as a trinity that need to be teased out and then brought into co-inherence with each other in every pastoral encounter. He values the work of parish ministry as having a complex but bounded task that can be undertaken as a consultant offering interpretations to parishioners.
In commending the book, Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury, describes it as ‘in-service training for clergy of a high order, shedding shafts of light on the priestly life and tasks’. This describes well the strengths and limitations of the book. It will be valued and enjoyed by those who understand Anglican parish ministry and are sympathetic to the group relations approach espoused by Carr. Those from the free churches and of a sensitive disposition need to be warned that the book repeats the assertion that only Anglican clergy can minister with integrity on civic occasions due to the instrumental motives of free church ministers. This is perfectly symbolized in a critical incident where a Baptist minister officiates at a war memorial remembrance service in a ‘sensible polyester padded coat’ (p. 91).
The true spirit of the author is most clearly shown in his generous orthopraxy in relation to the occasional offices. He both maintained boundaries that ensured that the fabric and purpose of the church building were respected and offered hospitality to those who were not quite sure why they found themselves at his door.
Helen Cameron
Regent’s Park College, Oxford