A minister who has served South Carolina Baptist churches for the past 33 years – 21 of them at First Church in Moncks Corner – has written a book for Baby Boomers like himself who seek transformation for their churches, for this country and for themselves.
WestHal West, who in June joined the staff of Macedonian Call Ministries based in Greenville, is the author of the recently published “The Pickled Priest and the Perishing Parish.” The 128-page book carries the subtitle “Boomer Pastors Bouncing Back.”
West, a graduate of the University of South Carolina, Southwestern and Fuller seminaries, sees himself and other Boomers as “pickled” – that is, preserved – in a church culture more like the 20th than the 21st century and in need of transformation.
The South Carolina native believes that Boomers especially have “lost touch with the world we have partnered with Jesus to redeem. The old bridges aren’t working for us anymore. We’ve got to build new ones.”
Sonny Holmes, pastor of Northwood Church in North Charleston and state convention president, believes that West is well suited to write such a book. “Hal West understands the dynamics of church,” Holmes said. “Years pastoring local congregations give him great insight about mission and how to effectively navigate the complex currents of these times.”
Curt Bradford, pastor of Riverbluff Church, also in North Charleston, has said that West’s leadership in planting six churches is a “testimony to his kingdom perspective.” He also called West an “invaluable resource” in helping churches “make the transition from a program-driven focus to disciple making and missional living.”
West’s recent book was published by CrossBooks, a division of LifeWay, in June and is available at most online bookstores. West may be contacted at HalWestWrites.com.