Reviewed by Sandra Doran, pastor's wife and teacher, Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The authors have designed a book with the busy pastoral couple in mind. Intended to be used as a manual for couples wanting to enrich their marriages, it is divided into 30 practical, readable segments dealing with every thing from finances to vulnerability. Although the book is designed primarily for pastors and their wives, much of its practical advice applies to any marriage and can be used by the pastor for sermons or seminars.

In order to facilitate the sharing process, each chapter contains short personal insights by the authors, a related Scripture passage, and several para graphs from noted marriage specialists such as Clinebell, Dobson, and Tournier. Three discussion questions follow, some of which seemed a bit repetitive.

I found the strongest chapters toward the end of the book. These chapters deal with specific clergy needs such as the role of the pastor's family, the spouse's role, preacher's kids, etc.

The Eppingers present a warm and optimistic vision for clergy families to grasp. They avoid stereotyping and make themselves vulnerable in order to reach fellow workers struggling to balance the demands of family and minis try.


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Reviewed by Sandra Doran, pastor's wife and teacher, Bridgeport, Connecticut.

September 1991

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