Books: When All Else Fails...Read the directions!

Samantha and I discovered a real gem, right in our proverbial backyard. Her name is Pearl Smith and she lives just around the corner from us. In case you don't know her, she is the wife of the late Pastor and Co-founder of peninsula Bible Church (PBC) in Palo Alto, CA.

Pearl and Bob moved to Santa Rosa in the early 90s for health reasons and she stayed on after he went to be with the Lord. Our original meeting came about because Jim Stewart asked us to driver her to/from and event. We've been friends ever since. Samantha often says that God has kept Pearl with us so that we can learn just a little more from her before she goes onto the heaven she so longs for.

What does this have to do with books? Well, the other day she handed me one of Bob's books, When All Else Fails...Read the directions! and it's my pleasure to share with you what I've learned:

1. Bob embodied PBC's priorities of straight forward, accessible, applicable and pervasive study of God's Word. There wasn't philosophizing, hemming/hawing over tough issues. It was to the Word that he flew for answers, which informed and motivated a deep faith that required him, and those he discipled, to apply Jesus' commands directly to the current environment and culture.
2. His matter-of-fact interpretation of leadership roles (elder, pastor, deacon) discourages the historical tendency in the church to unduly elevate and separate ordained leaders from their flock. It's clear that his focus is on leaders responsibility to discern "the mind of God" through the study of scripture and prayer, which includes both the real/spiritual needs of its leaders, not just its church members. This attitude seems to have led to a strengthening of the board, protecting pastors from burnout, and encouraging the body to use its gifts in effective ways that the leadership couldn't have predicted.
3. He makes a strong case for God appointing elders through the agency of other elders, which is safeguarded by the qualifications laid out in scripture. He rightly asserts that Jesus is head of the church, not a pontiff, or singular pastor and that great confidence can be found in the unanimous agreement of elders on spiritual matters, not just administrivia. He challenges prevailing American democratism by pointing out the absence of democracy in early church references and the presence of elder appointing by Paul & Barnabus (founding elders/pastors) and by Titus (an appointee himself). What I appreciate most is that Bob steers clear of worldly philosophy with this incredibly important issue.
4. The most interesting, and potentially the most influential chapter in the book is on evangelistic bible studies, something that seems to have been previously in-vogue and may be something the church should consider again. The method requires believers to invite people into their home who probably look, talk and act unchristianly. However, this is not the seeker-driven ministry of the 90s. It involves teaching clearly what the bible says and praying for the Spirit of God to bring revival. He has some pretty incredible stories to share with us about people getting saved and growing in their faith.
5. Even though He provides exegetical details, there are still sections where I would have preferred additional discourse, especially on how his interpretation relates to other contemporary and/or historical interpretations. That said, it is chalk full of practical advice that is based on responsible biblical work.

Thanks Bob, and thanks Pearl, for living out what you wrote in this, and other books you blessed us with. We love you both!