Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!

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.

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!

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.

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.

I have suggested this book to everyone I thought it might be remotely interesting to. I have about one highlighted passage per Kindle page. She provides a down to earth, funny and human face to being a Christian, and to being a pastor.As she quotes a seminarian who was shadowing her "you get to be a person for a living". She isn't afraid of exposing her humanity, her weaknesses and failings, which makes the book even better to read. The book seems to be about 3/4 memoir of her conversion and call to ministry, with about 1/4 of her sermons woven in to explain, amplify or direct what she is talking about. It is woven in with quite a bit of skill, and if you didn't know the Revised Common Lectionary pretty well, you wouldn't notice that she is adding some of her old sermons in. She does seem to be a good preacher, and I would like to attend her church the next time I am in Denver. I suspect that it is less wild than is described, not because the people aren't there, but because people really only seem unusual when you look at them that way. Even a transsexual at church seems pretty normal if they aren't trying to light up the pew with a hot pink spandex dress or something. Her focus on true hospitality to the stranger was amazing; I loved the honesty of her fear that too many 'normals' would screw up the vibe they had going on there. God is always bigger than our fears, but it takes a lot to believe that sometimes. What the church needs is a spirit of humility and fearlessness in welcoming people who are most unlike ourselves, and those aspects of ourselves we aren't much happier with. I see the best of my own struggle to be a Christian in heart and not just in name, and I share her weaknesses as well (though I couldn't rock the tattoos, and wish I could). She has made me laugh, and cry, and think. What better thing could a spiritual autobiography do? Even better, it's a book for people who don't like that sort of book because she's not that sort of person. I hope to meet her someday.

Not very often can you read a book about a former church of Christ member, from a congregation in the area, who became a Lutheran Pastor. I would say that this is very rare. But this is what this book is about. There is a lot of shock and awe in this book. Probably this was to be expected since the picture on the book is her, with numerous tattoos. The book will make you uncomfortable at time, and it is hard to get pass it sometimes. But at the end of the day, her stories, and her lessons are wonderful. This is a book that will challenge your idea of the kingdom. You will probably disagree with her, and probably should on the limits of those within the kingdom, but the way she thinks is much different than the way I think. But every now and then, I stopped reading, and I am thankful for her, and what she is trying to do, and in the same breath, I feel that she is wrong about so much. But one area, that I cannot argue is her desire for God to be involved in everyone’s life. With everything wrong with this book, at the end of the day, it was a great read. Some of her lines are powerful. The one about the God who came out of the grave to help us with self made graves is good. There is some biographical information, and a lot of the book are thoughts on various sections of verses. Her insights are interesting, outside of the box, but I guess I enjoy being challenged. It is interesting because one of my friends knows her. There is much bitterness towards her church of Christ past, but what is interesting is that these people could not be forgiven, though all others could, but she has made peace with her past according to my friend. Some journeys you are not sure you should have taken, but sometimes after you are done, you are glad you walked there.

The book is well-written and engaging. The stories the author uses to illustrate her points are well-chosen. I had some quibbles about the author's theology, and her criticism of her childhood religious tradition comes off as unnecessarily harsh and judgmental, but otherwise I enjoyed the book.

This wonderful book was recommended by a Sunday School classmate. It's the kind of theology I can understand others not caring for because it is an example of God loving everyone inspite of or because of their past, their scars, their sinning. This is the kind of theology that agrees with what Jesus was teaching. Her take on the disciple and the Ethiopian eunuch sold me on her unorthodoxy. It's not for everyone, but if you're ready to see God in a slightly different way, please give it a try

I'm not an avid writer of book reviews. Usually saving them for those books that shake my being, give me hope, and inspire passion. If I could afford to give this book to the many minorities and communities who once loved Christ (or still do) but who could find no place to worship because they were shunned due to their, sexuality, gender preference, past life-styles, or fear inspired by their own experiences growing up in a church where Christ's love was not taught, but the surety of your damnation was...then I would. I would by them and distribute them everywhere. Unfortunately, I'm not rich. What I can tell you, is that for me this was a beautiful book. I grew up Christian, but I began to despise church and later Christianity. It became the misplaced anger of my parent's rejection. I believed that not only "the church" but God hated me too and I could never be truly forgiven by him or my parents, simply because of who I am. Having just recently returned to Christianity after years of anger and separation, but finally understanding that Christ's message was love and not hate...I began attending a wonderful Episcopal church. Shortly after, I read this book on my Priest's recommendation. It made me cherish my return to the Christian Community even more so. I also relished in the author's dry wit and humor. I was pleased that she didn't shy away from four letter words and that she was covered by awesome tats because this is not the idea you expect when you think of a "Priest." To me, this just cemented the idea that God loves all his children, whether you are covered in tats or have been condemned for some other minor offense to the other humans (but not to God). I really believe that everyone can get something from this book. My one disclaimer, if you are easily offended by curse words and alternative life styles, it may not be the book for you. IF you believe that God knew your before you were even born and has always had a plan for you and that he created you knowing this; if you believe in his grace, favor and forgiveness, and if you remember that should Jesus turn up at our doorstep covered into tats, ears pierced, maybe a new hair cut (mohawk maybe?) and some outfit that horrifies your senses BUT you would take him in and feed him, not knowing that it was your savior. If you might hesitate but you would not turn him away...then hesitate only a moment, because I believe that you too will find something in this book. I truly believe that Nadia Boltz-Weber is a blessing and this raw but beautiful book will inspire many to return to their faith. Forgive me my gushing, but I really do love this book and would love to one day meet this amazing person who is due to inspire many.

Book Basics Pastrix: the Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint has been on my "to read" list for awhile. It is a book that lives up to its hype (and there has been far more hype by a fairly diverse group of people than I would have expected). If you don't yet know Nadia Bolz-Weber, expect an excellent introduction to both her life story and her style of communicating the faith. If you are quite familiar with her ministry, expect to encounter a pastor who doesn't look or sound like most you have known yet effectively communicates God's inclusive love. The text unfolds a mostly chronological journey through the author's life story that unfolds thematically. As a gifted communicator, Bolz-Weber shares her experiences in ways that always move beyond them by pointing to great truths of the Christian faith. From her childhood in the Church of Christ to an adult life that she always assumed would end before age 30 due to the lifestyle she was leading she found her way into a Quaker meeting, wound up dating a Lutheran seminary student, and ultimately entered the ministry as a Lutheran pastor. From the beginning, her ministry has been non-traditional and has sought to reach a crowd that has often been ignored by tall steeple congregations. While her use of profanity may strike many as odd at best and unnecessary at worst, it is part of what makes her who she is. Bolz-Weber is nothing if not frank. Thought Provoking Quotes -- "I cannot pretend, as much as I sometimes would like to, that I have not throughout my life experienced the redeeming, destabilizing love of a surprising God" (35). -- "Every human community will disappoint us, regardless of how well-intentioned or inclusive. But I am totally idealistic about God's redeeming work in my life and in the world" (592). -- "Ugh, Jesus. He always seems to be showing up when I want him to politely just keep out of my business" (2027).

I really liked Nadia’s raw truth and transparency. I think often gets lost in the every day church. The way she gets boldly to the point really reaches in and grabs you. I loved her reference of continuous death and resurrection of self that we go through in our daily lives. I never thought of it that way. But that is exactly what it is....when God digs for us back out of the grave or whole we’ve dug for ourselves and makes us new. It was although hard to identify with some of the terms and methods due to me not being from a Catholic or Lutheran background.

Nadia Bolz-Weber is as close to a celebrity pastor as the ELCA has. I've gotten to hear her speak on two different occasions, first at the Extravaganza (a training event for youth workers in the ELCA) and later at the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering. On both occasions, I enjoyed her. Yet, even so, I found myself thinking, “What's all the fuss about? Why's this woman garnering so much attention? Is it just because she doesn't look like most clergy in the ELCA?” Nevertheless, after reading countless positive reviews of her book, Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint, I decided to give it a chance. I'm glad I did. Pastrix was, in a word, excellent. It challenged me to think differently – about the outcast, God, and faith. In places it made me weep and perhaps more than anything else, it reminded me of God's extravagant love. Above all, Pastrix is a book about grace. This is not altogether surprising when you consider that despite her unique appearance, Nadia is still a Lutheran pastor. As such, throughout her book, she reminds her readers what does and does not actually constitute “good news”. In her words, “The job of a preacher is to find some kind of good news for people. And that good news really should be about who God is and how God works and what God has done and what God will do. (What passes for preaching in many cases is more here's the problem and here's what you can do about it, which I myself have never once heard as being “good news”.) While I expected Pastrix to be a book about God's grace, I didn't expect it to exegete Scripture as often or as well as it does. Though the book is a memoir, Nadia excels at weaving her personal narrative with those found in Scripture. Each chapter starts with a Bible passage, which Nadia then explores throughout the rest of the chapter. Her unique life-experience combined with her experience as the pastor at House for all Sinners and Saints often gives her unique, fresh insights about the stated Scripture. These insights challenge her reader to encounter Scripture anew. To this end, one of my favorite chapters in the book deals with Jesus' baptism and temptation in Luke 4. Nadia interprets this passage in terms of identity and says, “Identity. It's always God's first move. Before we do anything wrong and before we do anything right, God has named and claimed us as God's own... We are tempted to doubt our innate value precisely to the degree that we are insecure about our identity from and our relationship to, God.” Beyond that, I loved the glimpses Pastrix offers into the creative liturgical elements Nadia incorporates into the community of House for all Sinnr and Saints. For example, one chapter recounts how, after the earthquake in Haiti, her team decides to “make a set of the stations of the cross out of news photos this year.” Reading about the powerful ways in which her community encountered Christ through these stations makes me want to create a similar experience for my own community. Lastly, as a youth worker, I also appreciated Nadia's reflections on her role as a hospital chaplain and later, as a pastor. In describing her role as a hospital chaplain, she says, "In that messy chaos, my job was to just stand there & be aware of God's presence in the room." In so many ways, I think that's also the job of youth workers. Beyond that, however, perhaps that's the job of all Christians: To become aware of God's presence in the room and then to point it out to whomever we find ourselves with, hoping that in that moment, we all experience the power of God's grace.

Alright, I am Lutheran so Nadia must be speaking to me, right? Except that she is unlike any Lutheran I have ever seen, and she isn't pastoring the white-bread Norwegians and Swedes and Germans that are the foundation of our very white-bread church. She is part of the vibrant and grace-filled change occurring in not just the Lutheran church but mainstream churches all over America. But, being Lutheran, she has a special hook on grace and just what our relationship with the Creator is and is not. She knows all about the "rules" that her childhood conservative church taught about being "good" and save-worthy, and she has learned that those rules are definitely man-made. G*d takes us as we are, loves us, calls us, makes us better and more whole and more loving than we could be, and does it only because G*d loves us. The whole creation is an outpouring of that love down to the smallest quark and up to the largest constellation. Even better, she accomplishes all of this so quickly that I was propelled through the book like a rocket. I couldn't sleep one night so picked it up about midnight and finished it before 4 in the morning, despite having to take time to wipe my eyes and blow my nose. I would recommend this book to everyone who believes they hate Christianity and Christians. Because this woman was NALT (Not All Like That) before NALT was.

I like this book a lot . I like the salient bits of scripture that precede each chapter. I like how that scripture is integrated into story told. The book becomes a quilt - containing stories about how God transforms hearts - stitched together with humor , love, humility , confession, and repentance . I found the stories remarkable in the manner in which human nature tries to arm wrestle God into seeing things its way . God seems to find a way to win the arm wrestling contest by simply allowing the human wrestler to wear herself out and then revealing the 'truth' that must be honored. God wins and so does the community. A great read with compelling truths told right out in public.

The Rev Nadia Bolz-Weber, a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has given to us a nuanced, insightful look into her spiritual life. It is not pretty, but it is beautiful. She tells the story of her love/hate relationship with the Church and her longing for God. It reads like a post-modern Confessions, but when she comes to rest in God, she finds herself propelled into the Mystery of the Divine life and the messiness of the world. This is no Father Timothy in Mitford type book. Rather this is a story of a tattooed (shock and scandal) woman, living out the radical theology of God's Grace in Jesus Christ. One of her tattoos is the saying of Martin Luther: "Completely a Saint, Completely a sinner." This could be considered her motto, or even a mantra. She describes being the pastor a young, vital congregation in Denver filled with all of the people who would not be welcomed, more than likely, in more conventional congregations: Drag Queens, Gay men, Transsexuals, the homeless, criminals, etc. She tells stories of "success" and "failure." Many of the best and most pointed stories are the ones where she "Fails" but experiences grace, either through healing or insight. Community lies at the heart of these stories, and how the community that we want, is not always the community God gives us. Also it is the story of how she serves as a pastor to the "freaks" and how they witness Gods grace to her. Hidden away in this little book is some fairly deep theological thought. Questions of Grace, Baptism (what do you do when a Transsexual transitions and changes their name?), Communion, Prayer and God's Presence are all wrestled with and born out. The Church (and here I mean more than the ELCA, but all Christian Bodies) needs to read this simple, heartfelt book. It is about reaching a culture that is increasingly alienated from the Body of Christ. It is not an easy read in spots, and yes she uses the f-bomb and other "swear words," but that is no reason to judge the book to harshly. For good or for ill, the Rev Bolz-Weber speaks the language of those who have been left behind in all of our attempts at evangelization. For that reason alone it should be required reading for all denominational leaders.

Great read for anyone with questions on faith. Pastor Nadia tackles issues in this book that feel kindred to me. As a child she learned that "being a Christian—mostly meant being really good at not doing things." She learned that what united people at church "was their ability to be good. Or at least their ability to appear to be good." She travels the 12-step journey into recovery and discovers God's love: "What the drunks taught me was that there was a power greater than myself who could be a source of restoration, and that higher power, it ends up, is not me." She meets a Lutheran pastor who teaches her about grace in a really simple straightforward way she breaks into 5 bullet points. One of her bullet points is "the Bible is not God." It is "the cradle that holds Christ" but it isn't meant to become an idol. I also loved the point she made about the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus asks what the disciples have to feed the crowd and they reply, "nothing." She works through the story and explains that "nothing" is God's favorite material. When I feel like I have "nothing" to offer God, he can work with that. My last nugget for this review is her point that we need to forgive those who hurt us so that we aren't chained to them -- we can do it for ourselves, not for them. I've bought multiple copies and I'm handing them out!

I'm not a Lutheran, but after reading about Nadia Bolz-Weber in a news story, I thought we might have a lot in common. I also grew up in a conservative evangelic church. I also spent my share of wild years doing anything that I could to run away from their angry version of God that seemed to only care about white, upper middle class American Republicans. When Pastrix arrived, I sat down to flip through a chapter or two on the couch. And instead, I read the whole thing in one sitting, laughing and crying along the way. If you can't handle adult language this is not the book for you, but if you believe in a God big enough to use someone with a past as His servant and to hear how she found that God again, you will love this. I read this as an irregular church attendee with a lot of anger about the church across the board. But I found some lessons that Mrs. Bolz-Weber learned along the way that really spoke to me about a God bigger than all that. I look forward to going back and re-reading again, using some chapters as a devotional of sorts, to remind me. I tend to read literary fiction and academic work, so I was also delighted to find that Nadia Bolz-Weber is one heck of quality writer- this is no elementary-level fluff piece. I am grateful to be reintroduced to a God to chose to eat with the sinners and use the unlikeliest servants to invite everyone to His table.

The author is a "messy" Christian- a recovering alcoholic, someone who doesn't always think nice Christian thoughts, a woman who ran with the rough crowd (an early boyfriend had served years in jail for some crime). In other words, a real person who is far from perfect, and also far from what most people consider a Christian. The church she started was for such people, but eventually was also embraced by baby boomers who "read newspapers and eat at Applebee's." Her description of how she lives her faith gives hope to all of us who don't fit the tight mold most Christian churches try to say everyone should fit in, but who feel close to God anyway.

Where to start . . well, to say this is a page-turner is kind of like saying it recently rained a bit in Colorado. When my eagerly awaited copy came in the mail, I opened it immediately and was collared (pun noticed) by Pastor Nadia's first sentence. I spent the afternoon with her, alternately laughing and crying. I couldn't put Pastrix down until I had finished it. Pastor Nadia's gift for sharing what it is to be an imperfect human being, is never more real than in her Cotton Candy chapter - I'm not a pastor but, could I relate! The blessing in that chapter for me was her revelation "that sometimes the best thing we can do for each other is talk honestly about being wrong." Pastrix tells the story of a painfully real human being (just like me - and maybe you), who is in love with a great and glorious God. I hope you don't let the language keep you from reading this important book of God's grace and how He "loves us back to life . . .[and] enters into our messy lives and loves us through them whether we want God's help or not."

I read Pastor Nadia's entire book within hours after it arrived two weeks ago and the "aha moments" keep emerging. Pastrix includes the story of Pastor Nadia's rough ride through childhood thanks, in part, to dealing with the physical realities and social stigma of having Graves' Disease. Her story, which includes nearly trashing her adult life with addiction, offers a refreshingly blunt description of the recovery process without devolving into self-indulgent twaddle. Pastor Nadia offers readers a gloriously clear articulation of Lutheran theology. Pastrix is a memoir that illuminates one of the central, distinguishing characteristics of Lutheranism: a deep trust in God's abiding grace. She also strips away any possible romanticization of what it means to be a working pastor. Pastrix provides a gritty ethnography about the call to vocation, the obstacle course to ordination, the challenge of sustaining faith for self and others, and dealing with the crazy-ass stuff that happens within congregations. Pastrix is a memoir with staying power because Pastor Nadia is powerfully articulate about our deep need for God's grace. She's also a rockin' terrific writer! Love this book and highly recommend it to readers interested in spiritual substance with lots of authentic style.

I loved reading Pastrix and was very sad when i reached the last page. Nadia's honesty and raw nature was very therapeutic for me. As a minister I found myself relating to many of Nadia's stories more than I thought I would, and was often brought to tears. The most emotional moment for me was when Nadia was talking about Stuart (a gay Christian and self proclaimed "Minister of Fabulousness") and how he had been named as the Godfather of a child within her church. When Stuart asked the family why they chose him they replied that it was because even though he had been horribly treated by the Church at large, his passion for Jesus never changed. They wanted their child to have that kind of passion for Christ and felt Stuart would be the perfect role model! (that story messed with my theology in a wonderful way!) This book is not for everyone as Nadia tends to use language that many conservative Christians would find offensive, but to me it was just this raw nature that I found endearing. I hope to be able to visit her church someday and am looking forward to watching all that God is going to do through Nadia!

I doubt you'll find this book at your local Christian bookstore. And it might not be the book for you if you take offense to some of the more colorful four letter words. (The first line of the book is: "'$h!t,' I thought to myself, `I'm going to be late to New Testament class.'") But if you have struggled with heavy doubts about this whole God thing at some point in your life, perhaps due to suffering a major loss of some kind, death of a loved one, or physical/mental/ or emotional pain, addiction, etc... If you were given a false view of God as the opposite of love, if you've been hurt by the church, this book is for you. (It's kind of like "The Ragamuffin Gospel" on steroids, with profanity, written by a female Lutheran pastor instead of a male Franciscan priest.) I've seen Pastrix described as a theological memoir of grace. And that it is. She talks a lot about the God who meets us in our suffering. She is adamant that God doesn't cause suffering, but that he bears it on the cross. He doesn't initiate it, but He redeems & transforms it. I genuinely loved this book from start to finish and was deeply moved by it. I just finished it and I already want to re-read it (and make all my friends read it!)

This book and its author are totally different from my background... could easily have tossed this, but in trying to listen to her beliefs and experiences I found a common human connection. I could imagine having deep conversations with her and sense that despite our theological differences we might actually find something in the other to admire and celebrate.

Disclaimer: I'm writing from the perspective of a much-less-cool Lutheran pastor. The things Nadia does wouldn't work in my context, and I'm not into tattoos. But see, this book isn't telling me I should be just like her. Pastrix has no magic bullets. No Superhero who thinks they're going to "save" the church. No "Hey I'm Pastor Perfect of Awesomesauce Church and if you only do what I do you can be like me." I hate those books. They're less useful than toilet paper. But this is not that book! This is a book about the joyful and heartbreaking work of being God's bitch. It's honest. It's real. It's amazing. We may not all be able to write like Nadia does, or start our own congregations. But we can all learn from her honesty, her vulnerability, her willingness to speak the truth, her willingness to admit she doesn't have all the answers, and most of all her fiercely Lutheran theology. No glory, all cross. It's the most inspiring book I've read in a long time, maybe ever. I just can't say enough about it. BUY THIS BOOK!

This should be required reading for everyone preparing for any form of ministry. Nadia lives an open, honest relationship with the Sacred. Spiritual directors should use this with anyone who is serious about a relationship with the Sacred Other. That relationship with the Sacred is a love relationship, and that requires total honesty on both sides, even if it is not what we expect a "religious experience" to be. Being frustrated, angry, and at times enthralled with the Beloved is all part of that relationship, there is a long history of this type of give and take in love. This is about a human loving God, and the other way around!

With all the media hype around the unusual pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber, I suspected this would be an interesting, but not particularly remarkable book. Much to my surprise I learned that, though a lot of people can't quite get over the "OMIGOD- she's a pastor and she has TATTOOS!," Bolz-Weber is grounded, honest, and forthright about herself, her ministry, and her shortcomings. Her accounts of wrestling with the kinds of pretension, defensiveness, and "spirituality" that many people encounter in the church are pointed and based in the kind of teaching that Jesus did. Although I do recommend this book to anyone who is willing to read it, it is important to note that Bolz-Weber's language is cruder than what you'd ordinarily encounter in church. If you feel you'd be offended by the kind of talk that goes on just about anywhere else these days, you might not want to read this book. But you'd be missing a lot.

I heard Nadia being interview on Fresh Air. I downloaded this book and took it to Ireland with me. She shows us that pastors are human and suffer as we all do with questions of our faith. It is her openness, her doubts, her struggles that make her believable. She doesn't have God in her back pocket as some religious people would have us think when talking to them. I find her faith real because it is a journey that we take in searching for God and finding him in glimpses. No one person or church has all the answers and if they say they do, RUN !

This is the second book of Nadia's that I've read although it was her first published book. I found it as fascinating a read as the previous book of her's that I read. Personally I liked Accidental Saints better but Pastrix was nearly as good. Perhaps my viewpoint is slanted as I read them back to back. Nadia is definitely a "one of a kind" pastor and religious voice, one that I applaud and back whole heartedly.

If you want to rethink Christianity in ways that go beyond the traditional forms and rituals without excluding or rejecting them, This book is a storm of fresh air. Here the abstractions that can steer Christianity away from the daily events of our lives, always arise out of events in her daily living, warts, addictions and other flaws included. Her sense of ministry is both rooted in her understanding of Jesus' ministry and related to her experiences and connections with a far more diverse congregation and outreach beyond them than any church I have known (with one exception). For me her salty language is a repeated wake-up call to pay much better attention to "others" if we are seeking authentic wholeness for ourselves, our friends and associates, and the churches which claim to be serving Jesus' mission. She insists that in order to understand this mission, instead of getting past the rawness she has confronted, we must go through it. Most striking about the book is the way her insistence on finding her own way to this mission models a way to an authentic fusion of traditional and contemporary aspects of Christianity.

I picked this up because a friend recommended it, but I’ll confess, my expectations were low. I’m not all that progressive, and suspected this was just the flavor of the month of Christian culture’s attempts to be hip and relevant. Wow, was I wrong. This book is incredible: a powerful story of how this woman is working to love people in a community she feels called to as she follows after God. I especially appreciated how she didn’t just share the great parts of her work, but also took readers into a few of the attempts that didn’t work out so well. I don’t agree with every part of Boltz-Weber’s theology, but I don’t think I agree with every part of many people’s theology, so really? No big deal. I’m so glad I read this, and look forward to reading what she writes next.

Do you feel like you don't belong in church because any of the following describes you: swear like a logger, pierced and tattooed, GLBTQ, or just generally don't feel like God would take you? If so, this may be the book for you. I have often wondered if I am in the wrong place at church because I have a lot of rough edges. Nadia reminds us that we are all God's children and God is waiting for us with open arms. She tells an interesting and colorful story of her life also. She is a Lutheran pastor, I like her theology. She is more liberal than I am, but I didn't find that problematic. Her writing is fine, and infused with humor.

Well written and engaging, I really appreciated Nadia Bolz-Weber's perspective. My background? I am an ordained United Methodist clergywoman, married 50 years to a United Methodist clergyman. And....I grew up in the church, never left it, never smoked any thing [except a corncob pipe for a week on a bet, in college], poked with a needle only in the doctor's office, was drunk only once - from champaigne, in my own house, a "damn" escapes from my mouth less than once a year. How much more different could my life experiences be from the Pastrix? Yet she can read my mind. Her honesty is magnetic. This was like reading the sermon I'd always longed to hear. I was disappointed only when faced with the last page.

Nadia Bolz-Weber, Lutheran pastor and speaker, reveals her journey to authentic faith with honesty, transparency, and a pretty good bit of swearing. Bolz-Weber's writing is refreshing and engaging - but the real secret of this book is the sophisticated theology that underlies the anecdotes of Bolz-Weber's life. Weaving in and out of time thematically, she tells the story of a woman raised in a fundamentalist church who felt out of place; a struggling addict who came clean and found God in the process; and a Lutheran pastor struggling to start a new church in the city. Her amusing and raw stories display a sophisticated understanding of grace, the Spirit, liturgy, and community. Highly recommended for people disenchanted with Christianity and the church; people who love Christianity and the church; people who love Christianity but hate the church; and anyone in between.

I first heard about Nadia Bolz-Weber (NBW) from Krista Tippet's "On Being" podcast. I was entranced by NBW's open, honest, no-holds-barred look at her life and response to God's grace. I pre-ordered the Kindle version of "Pastrix" that afternoon. It arrived on a Tuesday - I devoured it in less than 2 days. I highlighted/bookmarked portions (I never do that!) that I wanted to go back to or talk over with friends. Then I bought a dead-tree version because I wanted to loan it to friends. Yes - I bought 2 copies - the book is THAT good. NBW came to my town that Wednesday (the day I finished the book) and I debated about going down to see her speak. But then it hit me. I didn't need to go hear her speak because NBW isn't necessary, if you get what I mean (no insult intended at all). If I don't have Nadia (or her twin) in my life or in my church, then that's OK - because none of this is about HER. If this book were about her, then NBW is a celebrity and I'm a fangirl. If it's not about her - but rather about God's grace - then she and I are both simply people, doing our best to not screw up too much, but knowing that screw ups happen all the time. This book is most definitely about God, and grace, and death-and-resurrection, and confronting your own demons, and finding God in the night-soil of your life. This book, this memoir, is not about NBW. Yes, her life stories are told in the pages of the book - but the book is about God and God's grace and how God comes to us in the craptasticness of our lives and makes us new again. And again. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

So be forewarned. I have been aware of Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber for several years now. I used to read her blog called Sarcastic Lutheran, and I still read the things that she writes for Christian blogs like Sojourners, and Patheos. From time to time I would Google her name just to see what she was writing or where she was speaking and what others were saying about her in cyberspace. Now, before you get all bothered and scream "dude, you were internet-stalking a pastor?" let me just say that my interest was, and remains, purely socio-theological (and that she wears some serious ink like a boss). Nadia Bolz-Weber is a different sort of Lutheran Pastor. Not because she lives her faith right in your face, because I know many Lutheran Pastors that live it like that (I have lots of Pastor friends). She isn't different because of her gender... lots of the aforementioned Pastor friends of mine are women. No, Pastor Nadia isn't different because of what she preaches, but because of who she was called to preach to. You see, her parishioners tended to be the young; the LGBT; the addicted; the homeless; and the many other ways for people to be broken. This book is about the faith journey of a young woman, simultaneously a sinner and a saint. When I heard that this book was coming out, I was very excited because Nadia is on the leading edge of the emergent church movement within the denomination the she belongs to (which happens to be the same denomination that I belong to. Shout out to all of you ELCA Lutherans!!). I wasn't excited about the cool look that Nadia wears, or because she is all inked up like me. I was excited because this woman who has suffered through near-homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, and the scars of her fundamentalist religious upbringing, has a lot to say about grace. In this book, the author has a lot to say about welcoming the outcast and the unloved and the broken. She has a lot to say about forgiveness and the messiness of daily life. She has a lot to say about surviving the darkness and repeatedly being made new. In other words, she had a lot to say about Jesus. No... not the Jesus we see in Christian art store paintings or stained glass... I'm talking about the real and present in-your-face Jesus that throws the truth at you at the most uncomfortable times. I'm talking about the Jesus who gives you the most seemingly inopportune chances to share his grace and his words and teachings with others... especially when it isn't comfortable. This book isn't just about Nadia's faith journey. It could easily be mine or yours... or any number of people that you know. This book is a reminder that we all have all sorts of crap in our lives and that we can get through it with a little help from our friends... and a lot of help from a loving, forgiving God. Oh, and you don't have to be a Lutheran to dig it. As a matter of fact, you don't need to be a Christian at all to dig it. As I said, she has a lot to say about welcoming. This book is well-written, well-paced, sometimes a little gritty, and I am betting that you won't be able to put it down. Read it.

I love Nadia's autobiography/religious experience book. She explains some of her positions on scripture mixed in with autobiographical history and she weave a wonderful multicolored cloth of amazing experiences and beliefs. I have always had trouble with some scripture and the explanation pastors have given in the past. Nadia helped me to understand the vineyard workers passage I finally understand now and I thank you Nadia for your explanation. It makes so much sense now. I'm 58 and have spent most of my life in church and she has really helped me to understand. I just love her attitude and her acceptance of all people. She would be and is a wonderful pastor. I wish she was close by so I could attend. Keep up the great work. If I'm ever in your area I do want to come to one of your services.

My only question for anyone who is still unsure about whether they should read Nadia Bolz Weber's powerful memoir, *Pastrix* is: "What are you waiting for? Read it!" When I bought this book, I expected to be impressed. I had read her previous book, *Salvation on the Small Screen.* It was one of the best books on the American religious scene I read that year. When I finished *Pastrix*, I knew that this would be much bigger. This is no small feat. I read a lot of theology. Often, I find, books on theology are either accessible or powerful statements of truth. Sometimes, they are neither. Rarely, are they both. Nadia Bolz Weber's powerful and real portrayal of the movement of God's grace in her life and the lives of others is one of these rare times that it is both. It is easily, for me, the best book on the nature of God and what this means for Christians and other religiously-minded folks in the world, since Robert Farrar Capon's *Hunting the Divine Fox.* This book is more than a memoir; it's a theological call to arms. Nadia Bolz Weber calls us to search our own motives and discard them. Because it is all about God's love and grace, not about us. Our task, as humans, is to include everyone, as they are, because that is what God has already done. This theological gem alone is worth the price of the book: "There's a popular misconception that religion, Christianity specifically, is about knowing the difference between good and evil so that we can choose the good. But being good has never set me free the way truth has....The truth does crush us, but the instant it crushes us, it somehow puts us back together into something honest. It's death and resurrection every time it happens." Thanks, Nadia.

This was a new year's eve read. As a pastor in the same denomination, it was inspiring to hear her articulate the faith tradition, I too, adopted and have leaned into ever since. I've got some spots underlined, where her turn of phrase opened an insight into what I already knew. Being from Philadelphia, where we seem to curse, a lot, my eyes went right over the f and s-bombs. I pretty much didn't see them and when I did take notice, it was like getting a little burst of something flavorful from my chewing gum. If you want to be challenged to have an encounter with the Living God, then read this book. There's no need to like it. There's no need to like Pr. Bolz-Weber. But, just remember that God does love you, every bit of you. And God probably also likes you, to boot.

Beautiful, loving, grace-filled. Nadia comes from the same conservative denomination I do, so I connected with her immediately. The issues in her life that she has overcome parallel mine, and her love for those on the fringe inspire me. She is my sister in Christ, and she shows me how to be like our Saviour in how she loves others and carries out Jesus's commandment to do that. I've given this book to others to show them what being a follower of Christ is about. It's not about being perfect, it's about being His hands and feet.

To say that I'm not really one to read books about religion would be like saying water is wet. But wow, this book is top shelf. Having chatted with Nadia once or twice on twitter while reading the book, I can say that she walks her talk, and that the book is not only an amazing perspective into a very personal faith that I wish more would follow and practice, but that she breathed so much life into so many parts of the Bible that I used to skip over or ignore that the book became a hugely valuable tool to help me revisit how I take in the writings that we're supposed to consider as guideposts for our choices. Excellent book for sure. And even if you're not especially religious or faithful, this book was a GREAT read.

While I do not lead a faith-based life, after enjoying a very candid interview given by Pastor Weber, I read this book. Pastor Weber's sense of humor, and irony is right up my alley. She does not seek to convert the reader, and though I do not share her "faith", I found Pastor Weber's views on how people should treat one another spoke directly to my heart, and fit with my sensibilities. Though I cannot share her belief that her salvation, and that of many others is due to the "grace of a loving God", her belief that it is a "loving God", who shares our human pain, rather than a "judgmental/retributive God", who causes it, was refreshing. I have never been a believer in the God so widely touted who helps people find their keys, but, allows wars and starvation to persist.

Bolz-Weber's reverence is for the presence of God, not so much enshrined in the icons and altars and shrines of traditional Christianity as in the lives of people on the margins whom she has encountered in her fairly non-traditional life and ministry. She questions her own assumptions as new experiences and encounters shift her perspective on such Christian values as conversion, compassion, forgiveness, and enemy love. I found myself laughing and crying as she led me through her journey of discipleship and ministry, wishing I had as open a heart and as faithful an imagination for a redeemed humanity as she witnesses to in her book. I'll be returning to Pastrix for inspiration for myself and to present to others, and look forward to new insights from Pastor Nadia, grateful for the love of God that graced the world with the life that gave us these, and her service to the gospel.

A worthy read for anyone who thinks that all Christians are cut from the same cloth. No, they're not all judgmental. No they're not all prim and proper. And no, they aren't all concerned about distancing themselves from people "unlike them". And NONE of them are without sin. Nadia Bolz-Weber brings out all these points...plus more...as she tells her story in a refreshingly compassionate & earthy manner which will linger with you long after you've finished the book. Her way of sharing Jesus' love is bold, brassy, honest, and completely accepting of all people which is exactly the way Jesus intended. Jesus accepts us just the way we are, as all people should accept others. I found myself going back to reread some of the chapters which impacted me the most. Thank you, Nadia Bolz-Weber, for an excellent book!

Having felt that I had irrevocably messed up my life after being raised in a fundamental Christian family, Pastor Nadia's stories of grace, acceptance, resurrection, and renewal brought me to tears. Her understanding of Jesus and his way seems more real to me than anything I've heard from my Christian upbringing. It's not wrapped in shiny paper. There's no pretense that we could actually become like Jesus; only that God will keep reaching out to us and over and over again and change our hearts or thought processes or actions. And that message gives me hope that I can be a Christian, a friend of Jesus.

Translating the Gospel into the language of one’s parishioners, whatever the context, presents the parish pastor with a daunting daily challenge. In Pastrix, Nadia Bolz-Weber tells the story of her struggle to find not just words, but just the right emotional tone to convey the shocking, scandalous, offensive, and wondrous grace of Jesus to a congregation of saints and sinners deeply aware of their brokenness. Middle-class suburban mainline Protestants might mistake her theological reflection for the profane exclamations of the captain of a pirate ship, but within the context of her congregation, the House for All Sinners and Saints, Nadia Bolz-Weber proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ in bold and clear translation. Were I to lead a study of this book with the over-eighty church ladies, I would be sure to come equipped with a supply of smelling salts in my communion kit for those few whose impaired sense of humor or heightened sense of decorum would lead them to faint on the floor should they hear their pastor read aloud one of his favorite passages, such as: "You hear a lot of nonsense in hospitals and funeral homes. God had a plan, we just don’t know what it is. Maybe God took your daughter because He needs another angel in heaven. But when I’ve experienced loss and felt so much pain that it feels like nothing else ever existed, the last thing I need is a well-meaning but vapid person saying that when God closes a door he opens a window. It makes me want to ask where exactly that window is so I can push him the f--- out of it."(Bolz-Weber, Nadia (2013-09-10). Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint (p. 111). FaithWords. Kindle Edition.) Once the eyebrows have been untangled from wigs, and the faint of heart have revived, even the shocked may also be awed by a starkly honest tale of grace and redemption—a prodigal daughter who returns to Jesus with a congregation of sinners and ragtag saints she picked up along the highways and byways at brothels, gay bars, dens of iniquity, and a pig sty, trailing behind. A pastor with Nadia Bolz-Weber’s larger-than-life presence (if you only read one book this year by a six-foot-tall woman recovering from addiction, fundamentalism, and Grave’s disease, former Church of Christ now Lutheran pastor with a tattoo of Mary Magdalene, well . . .) has to struggle with the challenge to become transparent that others may see Jesus more clearly. She is an operatic figure turned loose on the world, and yet, somehow, she pulls the rug out from under her own grand personality to show us the radical grace of Jesus Christ. Bolz-Weber’s confessional honesty, along with her self-described “misanthropic personality” provide a deep well of illustrative material for her theological proclamation of grace for all. Her prose dances with the rhythms of her former life as a stand-up comic, but her days of using comedy to distract herself and others from the darkness have passed. Her comedy now serves as a vehicle of the grace to which she, and all of us, cling. Her raw accounts of failure in every attempt to chart her own path of salvation will lead honest parish pastors to recognize ourselves, our self-deceiving fantasies of self-reliance and success through sheer competence, hard work, and charisma, and follow her into deep darkness where she points to the light of resurrection that no darkness can overcome. Neill Morgan is a Presbyterian minister in Sherman, Texas recently retired from the parish. He is the author of the soon-to-be-released book, The Bible Is My Crazy Uncle.

This is an amazing book showing a mainline church pastor serves the outcasts in a major US city-DENVER. If only more had the courage and the guts of Nadia Bolz-Weber

An interesting read and engaging insights. Bolz-Weber writes about her struggles with religion and various faith communities. A little like an edgy Blue Like Jazz, the reading gets a bit predictable. More than once Bolz-Weber complains about her faith community as a kid and that gets a little wearing. We find that she doesn't have much good to say about organized religion other than her own congregations - she will reveal some disagreements with her Lutheran denomination. Despite the obvious pain and maybe even some fear that results in these threads, the read is a good one (if the language doesn't deter you) and the book can serve to have us look outside ourselves and our faith traditions more than we do on any given Sunday.

Love it. Love it!!! Nadia Bolz-Weber has a gift of articulating her experiences in a humorous and blatantly honest way that is very refreshing in a 'religious' book. Her ability to find incredible spiritual lessons in the daily things that happen and wrap them up in a package that is so readable and yet holds an element of surprise bringing me to laughter and often to tears. In my 66 years I have read many, many spiritual books, but Nadia's fresh interpretations of scriptures were like a breath of fresh air. She shares freely her own vulnerabilities which is so important to this generation of believers. Embracing being a Christ follower does not mean being perfect, and Nadia models that for us in a new exciting way by embracing her own humanity!

So much - so many feelings! I am on the path to ministry myself, and what Rev. Bolz-Weber writes tugs at my own reflections on my own path. No, I am NOT her, no, I am NOT saying our lives are alike. But, the themes and the experiences of real life, real life lessons are exposed and shared in a most generous way here. Place your hand in her open wounds, see her life before you. Be with her when she rejoices. Be witness to her growth as both minister and person. Reflect on what is written and shared, and take a long, hard and honest look at yourself. Thank you, Rev. Bolz-Weber. Great book. Reading it again for the 2nd time. There will be more.

Nadia Bolz-Webber is that voice crying in the wilderness----"For to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." If was eye opening to see how we, traditional "looking" Christians, are seen by those on the "outside." It is refreshing to see myself as the "outsider" in her Church for All Saints and Sinners, and to realize that we are ALL God's precious creations. Judging one another's acceptabillity to Christ has long been a practice in Christian churches. Nadia reminds us that we are not in charge of deciding who is acceptable or not. Our mission is to focus on our own relationship with God, and then welcome all of God's children into our fellowship circle----a real challenge. She tells of her journey with humor and startling insight. IT is a GREAT read!!

To many readers this contribution to the idea of how church should be done Will seem blatantly unorthodox. How could such a gathering even in the slightest hint be considered "church" ? If one will but read the gospels and other early church writings, one may find just this type of church. Thanks Pastor for a fresh look at a dated institution

There are some beautiful sentiments in this book. It's open, honest, real. I gave it two stars because by the end I felt like the book became all about Nadia. I also felt the use of expletives was a little over the top. Not offensive to me, but it's a book, right? That stuff could be edited out and the message remain intact. I was close to giving it three stars. It's not a bad read, but not a great one either. I really wanted to love this book. If you're interested in this book, read it! If you aren't sure, skip it.

Absolutely devoured this book. I thoroughly enjoyed Nadia’s writings from start to finish. She is unapologetically authentic. Every page will demonstrate how utterly loved you are no matter what...no matter your background, your choices, your hang ups, etc. Get ready for a twist on what you think you know about God, about yourself, and others. Highly recommend!!

I've had the privilege of meeting Pastor Nadia, and after following her sermons online for some time, this book is exactly the sort she was meant to write. Funny, frustrating, and wonderful, and an absolute must-read for anyone in whatever the "emergent" folks are calling themselves these days. Progressives, I guess. Palatable for even the most militant atheist, challenging for the most militant evangelical, and perfect for everyone in the middle for whom both sides have gotten too loud and frightening.

For all of us looking for a way to understand how to fit Jesus into our notion of religion, especially Lutheranism, this book is a heart-opening experience. Sometimes we know inside that our faith is too restricted, that we are unable to begin to understand the compassionate Gospel, but we have no idea how to become anything other than what we are, afraid of the power of redemption, unable to trust that which we can't feel. Nadia's book is an injection of hope that helps me to trust my own spirituall journey and continue to connect with the personal ways in which Jesus calls me to love others. Although Nadia has a reputation as a hard-edged, tattooed rebel, her love of people , connection to God and her vulnerability come through clearly in her writing. This is an inspiring, uplifting book.

This book is a joy to read. I heard the author speak in person recently, and was so charmed by her disarming honesty about herself and the church that I purchased the book. I am glad to say that her writing is every bit as honest and thought-provoking as her speaking. She deals with issues that face the church today, especially issues of inclusion and tolerance and self-discovery in her faith, and I find myself nodding my head a lot at her discoveries and observations (and sometimes laughing out loud at the way she tells things!) I am a Lutheran myself, and find the book a great resource to my own denomination and faith. One doesn't need to be a Lutheran to find gems of wisdom in her writing.

I first ordered this book when I heard the author, Nadia Bolz-Weber, interviewed on a radio talk show. Her down-to-earth approach and sparkling intelligence made the book irresistible. The book is a very approachable read about her own faith journey as well as her work establishing a church called The House for All Sinners and Saints. She makes a strong point that all of us are sinners AND saints simultaneously. If you want a book that stimulates discussion, challenges you to grow, and warms your heart all at once, read Pastrix. The only caution--she uses the language of "the streets"--but, then, that's where we find sinners and saints.

Nadia Bolz-Weber's backstory is compelling, and I would rave about Pastrix for the juicy story alone. The surprise ingredient is the fresh and spot-on offering of the Lutheran theology of grace. Readers from a fundamentalist tradition will hear about "boyfriend Jesus" in language that is loving and accepting. Roman Catholics and Episcopalians will rock to a new way of experiencing high church. Mainline Protestants will understand that faith and doubt can happily coexist. Agnostics and atheists will get a peek into a spirituality that offers radical hospitality and a new way to look at God or no-God to those who reject religion and reject the God infused with and tainted by popular culture. Lutherans will say, "This is most certainly true." This is the best book I've read this year. This is most certainly true.

Rev. Nadia's testimony brings into clear focus what progressive Christianity is all about. I don't like the term liberal. She experiences many of the more difficult tenants of Christianity, forgiveness particularly , first hand and tries to really make sense of it as all of us who practice Christianity do. She makes sense and brings Jesus into real life and into our lives with a down to earth approach. I've gained new insight and, quite frankly, found Jesus all over again. I feel more comfortable on the progressive side of Christianity than I have ever been before. And, that she approaches worship in the liturgical fashion is a great bonus.

It appears I have been looking for for true, open-minded, loving inspiration since I had to leave a most welcoming, open heart Lutheran church in the early 1990's, because our family had to move for job purposes. I somehow lost my inspiration; life has a way of making that happen. Pastrix has breathed new life into my relationship with my God. I say my God, because it is with heavy heart that I find many who come into my life do not see God as I do. Reading Pastrix has brought me back into the room where "my God statue" was gathering dust, and given me the inspiration to blow the dust off (albeit, sneezing from my allergy) and proclaim that in my life, my God still reigns. Much like Pastor Nadia's sometime stone heart is replaced by one of flesh, with blood (love and Grace) flowing through it. Thank you, Pastrix Nadia! Thank you for the truth. Thank you for writing with pure and honest Grace.

You will enjoy a smart, witty read that just happens to be partly about reclaiming Christianity from the loud conservative Christians that made me stay away for decades. She helped me with my spiritual journey and makes me laugh and snort in public. I am still astounded that so many of my struggles showed up in her book and that I sped through this like it was an "edge of your seat" thriller. Oh...and she swears...the F-word. It felt appropriate, not forced...I found myself describing her to my sister as a Christian who is a real person and says "F---" and some one I want to have lunch with. I am glad I found this book. Going to try her other book next. You might also like Anne LaMott..check her out.

I highly recommend this book. Nadia is further left than me about lots of stuff. And she cusses. A lot. Often for effect. I don't. But this is a great book and what comes through over and over again is her love. Her love for God and her love for people. Jesus said something about those two things being really important. She isn't ideological. All she is doing is creating a Christ centered community in Denver. It is a very personal book. That is both it's glory and really it's only fault in my mind. Nadia's testimonies are really interesting and inspiring. But there are lots of other interesting stories here too, but somehow they all circle back to her. The feminine pastoral voice is one that needs to be heard more and more in all it's diversity. Thanks for that Pastor Nadia.

The black preacher and theologian Howard Thurman once said that Christianity isn't for people who aren't oppressed. Sounds like Jesus's statement that people who are well have no need of a physician. The current debates (mostly among non-oppressed people) about God's "existence" or non-existence wildly miss the point. People who, like Nadia Bolz-Weber, have felt "their heart ripped out of their chest" and found themselves set weirdly free from self-oppression, struggle to find words for their experience. In the end, they call it grace or resurrection. By this they mean that part of their experience is that they didn't do it for themselves. It feels instead like it was done to them. The power of Nadia Bolz-Weber's book comes from the fact that she is the real McCoy, someone who came to her Christian faith the only legitimate way: that is, the hard way. And she has an unusual ability to put powerful, non-trite words to her experience. This is a very good book, not because of the oddity of a tattooed, punked-out pastor, but because it's real.

Not only is this an entertaining read, it makes you think of subjects and people in ways you probably haven't before. Nadia is REAL, she isn't just a mouthpiece for redundant Evangelical Christian-Speak, yet she isn't anti-establishment per se. She is HONEST, doesn't sugar coat her own failings or less-than-perfect reactions to life and people. Instead, she points each of us to Christ and reminds us what it is like to walk in love. Her authenticity made me consider many topics I would not have otherwise thought about and I highly recommend this book.

Pastor Nadia cuts the chains that organized religion has bound so many of us in as children. She replaces the fear of a punishing angry God with a loving and all accepting Friend for all eternity. With humor and candor she shares her sometimes rocky journey to the foot of the cross and tells us who she finds there---the unwanted, those who don't fit in, the undesirables and all those people that most "upstanding Christians" would not associate with. But, as she reminds us, these are the ones, the children of God, that Jesus invites to come and sit on his knee. So, take off your stuffy shirt, open your mind, examine your heart and read this book!

Though I have no tatoos, my entire ministry in the United Methodist Church has been much in tune with Nadia's ministry. Preaching that the Gospel is unconditional love has never been fully presented by most of the churches: there is always a pulling of punches in order to get people to "come to church" and "sign a pledge." Saying, as Nadia does, that the Gospel is free and unconditional, is usually offensive to institutional religion. In 1974, as a missionary in Brazil I found myself in the torture cells of the Brazilian army, largely because I had thrown my lot in with the poor and dispossessed in that country. On returning to the US--expelled from Brazil, I was fired by the Methodist Board of Global Ministries without explanation. I had become an embarrassment to them and was, thus, forced into a "tent-making" ministry for 12 years. And today, I continue to preach the same gospel of unconditional love to the people in my current congregation in California. I rejoice in Nadia's ministry.

What draws me into Nadia Bolz-Weber's world is her in your face honesty. Refreshing, candid, authentic honesty. I read her memoir in one setting, smiling at her anger, compassion, and sometimes hilarious take on life. This isn't the cotton candy, believe in Jesus and you have the perfect life all figured out story. Instead, we learn about striving for God, overcoming our habitual thinking and reactions, trying to do good when we struggle internally with anger, judgment, and misconceptions. Most of all we learn about God's grace and how the real purpose of a believer's life is to try to reflect God's grace in the world. Some days we do better than others....

Pastrix (a not-exactly-flattering term used by some when talking about women pastors) is a memoir by a heavily tattooed former professional comedian turned Lutheran (ELCA) pastor, which turns out to be an unusual but very page-turn-worthy combination in a writer. The book is hysterical, raw, irreverent, insightful, and beautiful all at the same time. Sometimes I literally laughed out loud, and other times Bolz-Weber brought me to tears. I loved it. I’m trying, slowly, to rebuilt the faith / spiritual section of my home library. Tossed out almost all of the books from my days at my former fundamentalist church. Some of them were honestly a waste of a good tree, and I’m sure did a lot more damage than good; others were fine but I knew that reading through them again would bring up all kinds of lovely memories of my ex-church, so it seemed better — perhaps healthier — to start over in the book department. As a result, when I realized that I’d never read a book by a pastor who was a woman — not ever — it seemed like it was about time I did. And there was something healing about it. Perhaps kind of empowering, too. Bolz-Weber is so different from the overly-girly writers with their pink, frilly paperbacks on how to be the real-life God-fearing version of June Cleaver that I was encouraged by church youth group leaders to read while in my teens. And I think I needed that. I think it helped remind me why I’ve held onto Christianity, despite having been so hurt by Christian churches in the past. More than anything though, I picked it put because I just wanted a damn good quirky essay book and Pastrix is certainly that. Here’s a excerpt from one of my favorite chapters, a little more serious than the general tone of the book but beautiful: "I was the chaplain, but I didn’t have answers for anyone. I’d bring water, make some calls for them, keep bugging the doctors to provide more information, but words of wisdom I had none. I just felt the unfairness of it all. I felt the uncontrollable terror of loss, the finality of someone never having a father again. I felt the sadness that is both poetic and grotesque. I would stand by and witness the disfiguring emotional process we politely call grief and, yes, I was aware of God’s presence, but I wanted to slap the hell out of him or her or it" (p. 83).

In my soul. I loved this book. It soothed my soul's itchiness of not having the deep, simple faith like my mother's, God bless her soul. From being asked not to return to Bible Study because you ask too many questions, to which the minister had no answers (interestingly enough, I, too, was stuck on wine or grape juice, not feeling the truth of grape juice), to being asked not to volunteer at intercity revivals because I invited "the wrong sort" to visit our church, I have always felt the pariah in my Pentecostal church. To the point that I left it and wandered among many religions for decades. But God was with me the entire time. Thank you, Pastrix.

This book is healing and freeing and funny and helped me navigate my own spiritual journey in a more profound way. Loved it and highly recommended it!!!

Nadia Bolz-Weber writes wtih a clear, unmistakeable voice. In this no-holds-barred, sometime hilarious, always frank, look into her own journey of faith, you get the idea of what it really means to be a Christian and struggle with society's issues. Christianity is not for sissies -- and it's a continual journey. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I actually relinquished control of my Kindle so that my husband could read it. We went out and bought a hard copy so that we can flip through it (without my having to share again). And I've given it as a gift to others. It's just a fabulous book all the way around. I wish there were something more than five stars -- I'd use them.

At its core, this is a book of theology. Solid, experientially-based theology that reeks of truth and grace. Theology presented in amazing, entertaining vignettes that beautifully illustrate how God works in our world and loves us in spite of ourselves. Nadia Bolz-Weber writes in a compact, easy to read style that somehow presents great truths in just a few pages. There is a clarity to her theological approach that is absolutely refreshing (and REALLY rare). Who'd a thunk that Theology of the Cross and the doctrine of justification would be so fun to read about? But don't get the impression that there is anything stale or doctrinaire about this book. Like God's grace and salvation, this is a book for everybody. Read it with the mindset that you have when you go to the movies - yes, there's some swearing, so filter it if you must - but expect to be entertained. And moved. Greatly.

A friend who grew up in the Church of Christ told me about this book, and I decided to buy it and try it out. I can say with confidence this is a book I have never felt for a second regretful about buying. First off, the no-holds-barred approach is something rarely seen in any sort of "Christian living" categorized book. Nadia has a fiery vocabulary that might incense more than a few people. I was never put off by it. I'm firmly in that category of Jesus-followers who believe that God can use anything for glory, even those words that someone decided long ago were off limits. Before I went and searched for a YouTube video of Nadia preaching, I was about halfway through the book, and for some reason, decided that her voice sounded like Jane Lynch - she was sort of snarky, sort of pessimistic, and all shades of pissed off about this, that or the other. And then came the lesson at the end of each chapter - sometimes spot on, one or two that felt a little forced. But then the mirror - a book like this reminds me very much of Blue Like Jazz or Travelling Mercies... where the mundane speaks to the masses. Its easy to relate to some of the things that Nadia confronts and shares with us in Pastrix, despite not living her same lifestyle or having her same flavor of friends. She writes in a way that helps us see ourselves in new ways. The book alone is worth the price for just a few lines of wisdom that I pulled out of it. The idea of drawing a line in the sand to separate "us" for "them", and then realizing that Jesus stands on the other side of the line as well. Or the realization that God was so tired of being in the sin accounting business that he would rather die. Or that grace doesn't mean God accepts us in spite of our flaws, but that He is actually making us whole again all the time. Its these little gems that spark the light bulb upstairs that make this book stand out. If you are someone who wrestles with a lot of the little crap about faith and God and church, this book is well worth your time and money. The sense of freedom I felt from seeing some truth in Nadia's words is something I feel indebted to her for.

I started reading "Pastrix: The Cranky Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint" the moment it arrived today. Now, I am done. I can think of no reason why you wouldn't want to read this book. Why wouldn't you read a book where: - someone honestly wrestles with the self-absorption so often seen in pastors? (Takes one to know one) - a "liberal" Christian actually admits that not being a jerk towards a "conservative" who is being a jerk to her is actually a good working model for the Gospel? You see, we have had confessions of jerkiness from "conservative" authors for quite a while, now. Not much has come from the smarmy, holier-and-cooler-than-thou "liberal" camp, yet. Refreshing. O, and smarmy, holier-and-cooler-than-thou folks? I embrace you! -you will laugh, cry, cringe, pray, thank God, and open up to the Holy Spirit, all in an afternoon? -when you finish it, you just want to say, "I thank God for Pastor Nadia and everyone whose lives God touches through her." Thank you for reading this review and now, please buy this book. Thank you.

After I ceased wincing at the language sometimes used, I found one of the most authentic and lived-out tellings of the gospel of Christ I’ve read to date. Thank you Pastor Nadia, for this grace-filled book. For those unfamiliar with the author, be prepared to be stretched and blessed.

I am a girl who grew up in the Mormon church and then ended up having life happen “sinning” and becoming “unworthy” and no longer fitting anywhere , especially my own family. In the process I became utterly disenchanted with god and religion in general. This book, however spoke to me in ways that make me wonder if I can have a relationship with Divinity. It makes me feel that I maybe even want to. Which is saying something ! I found this book after watching some videos of Nadia that showed up in my Facebook feed and I am so glad that I did . Read it - it’s that good .

She really is one of a kind. And a lot of fun to read. Great book to provide some background to her preaching, if you're lucky enough to hear or read some of it. You may not agree with Nadia on everything, but who cares. Her voice provides a voice for those who have none. And she is not afraid to be vulnerable--rather seems to find strength in it by being brutally/radically honest. I had the great fortune to run into her at an airport once and got the opportunity to tell her how much her book meant to me and my family. She is 100% genuine and nothing short of everything you read in this book!

I read Pastrix after first reading Accidental Saints. I felt sad to finish both books: they reveal an authentic, down-to-earth faith that I believe that I am already pursuing, but I can use all the affirmation I can get in navigating troubled waters. These two books are spot-on in articulating my own desires and hopes in discovering a fully-human, fully-divine, and fully-personal Lord. There's no bovine excrement here.

the future of the church is people like Nadia who is controversial to some, but shows the love and compassion that is at the heart of being a Christian . I couldn't put it down.

I finished reading this book in less than 24 hours, but that doesn't make it light reading. This book is so good it has haunted my thoughts and days with the big questions about life and faith that it asks.It starts out of the gate with profanity - which one might think is the author trying to be a "trendy pastor"; but it is a sign of how legitimately authentic Bolz-Weber is all the time. She shares her stories of insecurity, addiction, self-righteousness, and her desire to be the "white heroine". She is so vulnerable with the reader that this book will speak to anyone who happens to pick it up. I hope that you read it too, because it is that awesome.

Nadia certainly lives up to her remark. I was already a fan before I saw her at the Wild Goose festival in August, at which she spoke twice, handed out, and signed, over 100 advance copies of "Pastrix." I have since bought a hardback to loan to friends (including fellow Episcopalians, a member of a conservative black church, and an RC nun). The personal and church stories that fill the book (and her presentations) are all well-written, often witty (Nadia once did stand-up comedy), and always insightful into the human condition and our relationship with the divine.

Nadia Bolz-Weber's PASTRIX held me through every chapter, every page. She is a treasure to our culture, our religious and spiritual growth during this time when most folks are sleeping in on Sunday morning, fed up with the same old tired story from the pulpit, confused, even abused by the faith of their parents, or completely turned off by the thought of any religion or Higher Power/ God/ Creator. She herself was among the aforementioned, as was I. She is real, honest. authentic, and effective. Her growing popularity as a speaker and contributor on NPR gives me hope that church can finally practice radical hospitality just as Jesus and other spiritual look- a likes did and do. Her style is Anne Lamott-ish, only ramped up a bit. Her anecdotes are touching, sickening, inspiring, humorous. Her outlines for a progressive Christianity may be enough to wake up the sluggish, stodgy message of the past and allow true good, justice, service and love to be realized in this needy world of ours.

It's an excellent and transparent way to learn the importance of getting over yourself and staring face to face at Grace, accept it. It also reveals that it's simply not our job to spell out how repentance should manifest itself in others. God loves us all and there's nothing we can do to change this. We are to love Him and love others. No ifs, ands, or,buts. Struggle and pain and confusion are everywhere. In the midst of it can we all sing, hallelujah? Maybe together,we can. This book is rough. It's tough. It's deep. It's painful. It hurts. And it's real.

I love reading people's stories, especially when they're candid and grimy, when the author doesn't try to clean it up to make themselves look better. Nadia Bolz-Weber has given us her story in all of its glorious and ugly detail. She's a woman who has wallowed in God's grace, but hasn't used it as a license to throw off all restraint. She's the kind of person who helps me to see that God is big enough to deal with my s--- too. If you're the type of person who would be put off by her tattoos and language, pay attention...this is for you.

Very enjoyable. Nadia is witty and entertaining and she tells good stories. I'd give it 5 stars if it were more consistent in its theme. It was focused on Nadia's journey as an 'alternative' pastor and it strays from that a bit, with some of the stories she evaluates in the bible. But it is following her life, and life is not a straight path so I guess this book doesn't have to be either. I also appreciated her view on religion as a model for what you should strive to be, knowing you'll never understand it completely, nor will you ever live up to the expectations of those who claim they understand religion completely.

I love this preacher. She first came into my life with her latest book ACCIDENTAL SAINTS Finding God In all The Wrong People and from there I ordered PASTRIX and now I am reading SALVATION ON THE SMALL SCREEN? Her outlook on religion, Jesus, love for all, for forgiveness for all, etc. is just so right on. If you have an open mind, want to learn than I recommend any of her books.

I found what Nadia has to say refreshing. I think she's saying a lot of things that many Christians have secretly believed and wanted to say. I also find her honesty about her own feelings and failings refreshing. There's seemingly no pretense or strained effort to put up a persona of godliness because she's an ordained pastor. I may be completely wrong about this, but I get the impression that each chapter is a recycled sermon, which in all honesty, if I were writing a book, I would probably do the same (recycle my own material), but if my hunch is correct, I think it would be all the more forthright of her to state that up front... Of course, for all I know, she does say that at the beginning of this book. If she did, I don't remember, and there have certainly been many other memorable things she's written in this book. Perhaps I'm asking too much of her to write a memorable confession of recycling her own material, if in fact she's doing that in this book.

I was initially unsure of reading this book as the cover was not very attractive. I don't like tattoos. But even though I don't wear tattoos on my body, I have them on my soul that others can see as they get to know me. This book was a touching read of one pastor's soul and her reflections on encounters in ministry. Having recently retired from full time active ministry I particularly identified with her humanness and appreciated her honesty. But most of all I appreciated her dependance upon grace.

Underneath the stories are the essentials of walking with Jesus! Every chapter holds solid truth of what it is to experience Jesus in the everyday stuff of life! At 69, I love the invitation from God to move to the edges of my faith that are not yet explored to know the God I don’t know!

Bolz-Weber delivers powerful inspiration to all of us weirdos out here trying to be Christian. She is brutally honest about her failures. That alone gives hope to those of us honest enough to take a peek/look/stare at our own failures and hypocrisies. The prose is beautifully written and moves you through the book like a fast-paced thriller. This book makes me want to: move to Denver, go to seminary, become a Lutheran.....something. This is a great read for anyone wanting to make a shift in their life and forgive themselves for their follies. High fives all around.

Nadia Bolz-Weber is not what most of us picture when we hear the word "pastor", but she speaks powerfully about following the path set out by Jesus and inviting others to join her. Her ministry to those who frequently don't find welcome in the institution of the Christian church comes out of her own place of being outside the "norm" and it carries a powerful message of compassion and servanthood. My copy of this book is much-highlighted and is one I will go back to time and time again for inspiration for my own journey.

I just reread this in the middle of a pandemic and it may have just saved my faith. God bless Nadia.

I've always believed that I'm handicapped by my Christian upbringing--I'm disadvantaged by not having a life without Christ to hold up as comparison. But Pastrix helps me to see that somehow I managed to get the message anyway. Jesus died and was resurrected, the rest is just details. But it's the LOVE in the details that makes his act evident in my life. This book makes me want to open up my eyes to the ministry in front of me.

My Pastor recommended this Book. In my opinion Pastrix is a well written story about the personal journey of a woman trying to find her way through life and religion. The road she walks is hard, hurtful and unconventional at times. This lady is strong, funny, smart and has a truly good heart. If you are looking for an interesting somewhat off beat read buy this book. If you want a different view on everyday life this book may fill your need. Not overly religious but inspiring. Read it, you will be glad you did. After finishing the Book I passed it on to a family member.

Get ready for some rough language and hold on for an honest ride from addiction to ministry. I gave away my first copy and am ordering it again.

I first heard this author on NPR. I found myself captivated first by her voice then as I listened to her story, I knew I needed to read this book. This was awhile ago but I recently found my notes with her name and finally read this book. I am so happy I did. Her voice is unlike anything I have ever read. She is so honest, so heartfelt, so down to earth. She doesn't preach even though that is literally her job. Instead she simply tells her story in such an honest way you can't help but be both captivated and intrigued. I constantly found myself writing down something brilliant she said. It is a book I will recommend to people I love as well as read again when I need truthful encouragement. Loved this book.

Full of humor, grace, and brutal truth. Everything I wanted it to be, and I couldn't put it down after I read the first page. Whether you love the church or have been really pissed off and wounded by it, this book is for you. Reading it will change the way you think about religion and its place in all of our lives. I immediately ordered her next book, Accidental Saints. And I will be buying more copies of Pastrix to share with friends and family, who already have taken over my copy!

What I liked the most was when the author had problems preparing some of her sermons. What she had written didn't sit well with her and so she was compelled to reexamine bible stories we've heard a thousand times, to reexamine her own assumptions. The insights are worth listening to.

Awe. Shocked by Reality, realized, in print. In America. Thank God. It is difficult to be coherent about being newly in love, but that's how I feel right now, having just finished "Pastrix." I'm in love with simple, human HONESTY. Strange that deep honesty could affect me that way, but such honesty is so rare, so precious, so NEEDED. I live in the fundamentalist capital of Christianity, Nashville, so perhaps my need is greater than most! Thank God for Nadia; and especially for our shared boyfriend. You'll just have to read the book to find out who that is!

I avoid "religious" things like the plague. Growing up having all things church pushed down my throat and not feeling i had any choice in the matter. Nadia speaks in familiar words that rang true for me. I've stuggled and loved and broken myself down time and time again over the past 63 years. I tell people I'd never want to go back one day, let alone long for my youthful years. Many days feel like walking in a burning fire but life keeps getting better in weird ways.... then i go on to burn off something else. Now I see and feel the love of jesus/god in all of it and i know I've never been alone AND best of all I realize that same process will probably never end. That both scares and thrills me at the same time. Thanks Nadia for putting the words i needed to hear in front of me.

The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber teaches the foundational principle of Lutheranism—that by grace we are saved through faith, a grace that is the gift of God and not the result of works (Ephesians 2:8-9)—and that is good news to a world that so terribly needs it.

This book was hard to put down once I started it. Nadia tells it like it is and that means her own feelings. This is what makes Nadia so authentic. She is 'real,' just like the rest of us. There is no 'prettying' or sugar coating her words, thoughts and feelings in this book. It is good to know there are people/pastors that realize they are also regular people just like you and I. As such you realize that we are human, both sinner and saint at the same time. It is freeing to know that even those in 'church' leadership positions, such as pastors are human and have the same thoughts and feelings like the rest of us AND these feelings and thoughts aren't something in the past. If you have had any negative interaction with the church, you must read this book. it will be here you realize really what church is supposed to look like. We NEED more people like Nadia in church leadership positions. We need people like her as our pastors. Thanks you Nadia for being a human and thank you for accepting the position you have been put in.

This is a very important book. It tells the story of many of us who are in ministry, and it tells the TRUTH of what it's like to be under this confusing, strange, beautiful call from God. I am also an ELCA pastor, and Nadia's theology is as Lutheran as it gets. She is as earthy as Luther (do NOT read if you are offended by strong language) and as faithful, too. This book could serve as a devotion, a catalyst, or simply a window into what being a Lutheran Christian....perhaps not the kind of Christian you usually read about...is all about.

This is a highly personal and poignant book, which reveals the power of a life lived daily in the presence of Jesus Christ. Nadia Bolz-Weber holds nothing back and shares memorable experiences of God at work in every possible way. You'll laugh, cry, cringe, and wonder about how God may be speaking to you in your own life and daring you to be the disciple that will be willing to live so honestly and authentically. Thank you, Nadia!

This is the first book I've read in a long while that I did not want to put down. I read this much too quickly and found myself wishing it had been two or three times longer. I read parts of this out loud to friends because I couldn't help sharing how much I was moved by Nadia's raw transparency. This is the sort of book that makes me want to meet the author, but I'm afraid she would see right through me to the phony that I am. And then she would love me anyway, even if she didn't really want to.

if you want a real, honest, intelligently emotional account of one individual who bears, with no holds barred, a story of true resurrection that is as relevant and germane to Christianity today as any biblical account, then this is for you. The faith and love that pours out of these pages rivals that of Saul (Paul) of Tarsus; and that is no small account. Get ready to open your heart, your soul, and your mind to a story that will leave you rocked with in its pages and wanting more. To those who criticize the language, I say, "peace be with you," as I hope you take more out of this work than the literalness of the language and see beyond barriers that are of man, not of God.

I love Nadia! She is edgy and gritty and real. Her faith is born out of struggle and is gut level and strong. She is compassionate, loving, sometimes acerbic and abrasive, very smart and takes no sh@t from anybody. Would love to meet her or attend her church. Love this book.

I have been reading about this pastor for quite a while, and was happy to find that she has produced a book that is a biography, a testimony of faith, and a glimpse into the lives of people in her small congregation. Pastor Bolz-Weber is frank and honest about her past challenges and failures, but lets her narrative evolve to reveal her strengthened faith and her pastoral calling. Her stories and sermons clearly explain the main ideas of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Some of her interpretations are shared with other denominations, but I suspect that they differ sharply from the views of fundamentalist churches. I would recommend this book to anyone who struggles with his or her faith, or is fed up with church in general. The author has powerful lessons about personal faith, congregational life and God in our lives in the 21st century.

"This is our God, Not a distant judge or a sadist, but a God who weeps. A God who suffers, not only for us, but with us." -Nadia Bolz-Weber Beautiful and honest, witty and sarcastic, this book is incredibly well written. I could not put it down and read it in one sitting, then happily sent on to a friend. Nadia Bolz-Weber describes beautifully what it means to simultaneously be sinner and saint, to "have a great capacity for destruction but also a great capacity for love." This book is a great read, especially for those who feel they don't fit in with mainstream Christianity. Her countless examples of death and resurrection point to Jesus and the hope he has for us, "not by making us shiny, but by making us new." Young women need more examples of strong women in the church. Nadia Bolz-Weber definitely has a voice, and one that should be heard.

I have never before said of a theology book that I could not put it down, but I could not put this down. I read it in 2 days while on vacation. It is funny, sad, honest and full of wisdom. If you don't like the first sentence, you won't like the book, so keep that in mind. If you can't stand blow-dried, self-righteous Christianity, you will cheer. Nadia's insights are a gift not only to the my own ELCA Lutherans, but to all of Christianity.

This book helps to express the reality that "all means all" when it comes to our salvation. Nadia's descriptions of life events that she experienced can serve us well in letting us know that God is always present, and that our God is one who also experiences suffering and loss. Her descriptions of ways in which she has to have attitude adjustments were reminders that all is not smooth and sunny, a route we may strive to take but can hardly accomplish. Even when you don't agree with Nadia, you will find insights into yourself that may prove helpful in your journey.

My favorite non-fiction book of 2013 gives me hope that followers of Jesus really do follow Jesus. Jesus who was a radical and kept company with the outcasts and poor and those looked down upon in society. Nadia knows how to tell a story and tell it well. Not for you if you can't take salty language as the very first word in the book is "s***" and that can shock if you don't expect a Lutheran pastor to use that kind of language! I've recommended this book far and wide. Read it!

I too was introduced to Nadia via Being (Krista Tippet) and I wondered if the book would be story or theology. I got both. Using her story as well as some of her friends/parishioners we get a fleshed out argument for JC (or the Holy Spirit -- he's just a more personal reference). But this is not the Jesus Christ of traditional religious thought (do good so God will like you & bring you to heaven when you die) but more of an "on the streets" kind of religion. The one you can practice daily for years & still not be good enough for "salvation". I found the stories real & captivating. I found the language abuses restrained for modern culture. I found Nadia to be personal & revealing, her take on the Gospel stories refreshing & new.

Excellent book! I have become a fan of Nadia Bolz-Weber. This book has helped me take a look at my already strong ELCA based faith and renew it in a very refreshing and affirming way. Thank you, Nadia! You've helped me find the courage to use that soap-box that's attached to my backside and drops down when I see social injustice. I'm able to stand on it with the confidence that Christ teaches us that the right thing to do is just that...the right thing to do.

Nadia Bolz-Weber's book Pastrix says the things I've always thought but had trouble putting into words. Her passion for bringing faith and grace to the people many of us would never think of inviting to church is beautiful. Her deep and abiding faith is inspirational. This book is an interesting page turner. I read through it quickly the first time and then thoroughly enjoyed listening to her read it on Audible. I would strongly recommend it to people open to challenging and thought provoking ideas.

I brought the book after hearing Nadia speak at a conference in Sydney. I found her refreshingly honest about her faith and her acceptance of people as human beings made in the image of a loving, compassionate God. The book reflects her views truthfully. For people who find themselves on the edges of the church longing for a genuine, non judgemental community, such a church apparently exists. Nadia sees herself as a pastor not an advocate for justice although one cannot help but feel that theme emanating from the book indirectly e.g. Title of book. Reading the book fills one with hope that a Christianity community does not have to starchy while holding on to traditions. I enjoyed hearing Nadia speak and I enjoyed reading the book. It is easy to read, no heavy theological jargon but plenty of theological issues to reflect on. Worth reading if you are prepared to have some of your ideas about what it means to be a Christian challenged.

I have been drawing inspiration from Nadia Bolz Weber for some time now, and this book is at the top of the list. I identify with her unconventional journey on so many levels, and when I read her writing or listen to her sermons I feel a whole lot less lonely as I try to find my my place in the Christian story that I spent so many years cursing. I love her candor, her honesty and her downright snarkiness when it comes to pointing out that we are all flawed; some of us are just a little more up front about it. I find her theological interpretation to be organic, down-to-earth and incredibly Christ-centered as she seeks to impress upon her audience just how inclusive the gospel message really is. I give this book 5 stars and 2 thumbs up gladly!

Though some may be put off by the rough language, they would miss an opportunity to glimpse a deep spiritual journey. Nadia is real and honest. She doesn't sugar coat her challenges but redeems each faithless moment of human frailty with a powerful grasp of the grace of a faithful Savior.

I read this together with my best friend, a 99 years old ecumenical, who totally "got it." Though I am 35 years younger, we've both always been "age mates" and she's the most "cutting edge" person I know. She deeply appreciated Nadia's insights, especially regarding inclusion and the difficulty of accepting that God (logically) loves us and Hitler with the same ferocious devotion. This book separates "feel good treacle" from scrutinized and hard fought religious discipline..

NBW is not for everyone. Some will turn away from her language, some from her progressive theology, some simply (and regrettably) because she's a woman. That said, I found Pastrix to be engaging, humorous, honest, and refreshingly raw. NBW interweaves personal narrative and broader theological questions almost too seamlessly. While she has many detractors, her authenticity shines clearly in Pastrix and I highly recommend the book to those who have ever been hurt by the church but have a nagging feeling that God is out there.

I got the book be cause it caught my interest. I can't say I agree with everything in the book, but that's okay it isn't about whether I agree with it or not. That's not up to me, if it was then we'd probably all be screwed. The point is that it's a good book that does a wonderful job showing there is much more to Christians and Christianity than what you'd expect. It's a faith deep and wide enough for all of us.

Brought this book on our Anniversary getaway and finished it in two days. Nadia's honest yet vulnearble voice leads us through the stuff of grace while providing an honest, translucent view of the transformative power of grace in her own life. Compelling, beautiful read. I challenge any reader to not be inspired by this raw, real glimpse into the daily struggle of dying to sin and rising to new life told by a former addict turned pastor.

The author has a real way of meeting you where you are, brutal honesty and genuine love! Great read! After reading I bought 3 more and gave them to close friends!

I found the author strangely fascinating. She really gives a true picture of life out there in the depths of the city, often overlooked by average readers, and believers. Her point that everyone is included in "Gods World" and should also be included in ours, is well taken. She reminded me that Jesus did dine with "outcasts". He went where he was needed most! (as we all should do) I thank Nadia for helping me guide my vision of Christianity. Easy read and quite thought provoking!

I am not a sentimental or romantic woman, but this book brought tears to my eyes several times. Raw, honest, intelligent, and one of the best books I've read in a long time. It was also such a delight to hear someone eloquently describe why it's okay to enjoy liturgy and confession. I sometimes get the feeling there is something wrong with me for preferring the traditional ELCA worship over the contemporary format. How wonderful to hear someone way cooler than me say she "gets" it too.

Nadia Bolz-Weber is a character that is for sure. I heard her on NPR and found her very interesting. Her modern view on religion is great (or not great depending on your views/values) but I was drawn to her community building skills and entrepreneurial spirit. It takes guts to start your own church and Nadia Bolz-Weber demonstrates that you can think out of the box and find inspiration to achieve your dreams while making the world and your community a better place.

Exceeded my expectations. If you are wanting to read an honest recounting of a persons life and struggle and come through with grace and integrity in a non traditional way this is the book for you. She is different and that is what I loved about her. She is human and not pious which turns me off when I read books about church and God etc. Loved it! She is funny and articulate and very easy to read.

This book presents the radical idea that maybe Jesus actually meant some of the things He said. This book is thought-provoking, and while the reader may not share the author's conclusions, her way with words is moving. As someone who shares a similar background but has ended up in a different place, I appreciate her honesty. A great read for those that struggle with institutional religion but still crave community and the presence of the Divine.

The cover and name caught my attention, I read a little about the book, bought it and could not put it down. A true, blue, pastor in our midst. The Church for Saints and Sinners I hope is alive and well and doing it's work of loving the unlovable just as our Master did. Nadia Bolz-Weber has a story to tell and I am grateful she is alive to tell it. God Bless Sister Nadia...carry on, keep the faith, fight the good fight, I will pray for you.

So raw and real. Loved this book!

This is the unconventional Lutheran pastor's (or Pastrix, I suppose) origin story of a sort. Got a picture in your head of what a clergy person should be? This probably isn't it. God doesn't fit in a box, and neither do His people. Meet some of them here.

Interesting and well written. The early chapters tell the story of the author's childhood in a conservative religious denomination, her decision to leave home and that church, her brief life among junkies and street hustlers, and her return to a religious path as a seminary student, a mother, and the founder of a church for all saints and sinners. Much food for thought for the reader of these pages.

Read this book if...you have more questions than answers about faith; if you have felt excluded from church for not fitting in and being good at being "Good"; if you have ever wanted to explain that you're "not that kind of Christian" when your liberal humanist friends equate Christianity with judgmental neoconservative evangelical dogma; if you want fresh talk about Grace. This is searingly honest, occasionally self deprecating, and sometimes laugh out loud funny. This is the best book I have read on faith since Jesus Freak and Take This Bread. Give it a try.

While Bolz-Weber can swear like a sailor and can truly be cranky as she describes, I LOVED this book. It is the story of her call and education/preparation for call. She can really make me rethink my undersatnding and attitudes towards this thing we call chrch, and towards other humans. And even towards God--though I am a pastor myself! Exciting read.

Pastrix is thoughtfully written, challenging and honest book. I enjoyed the raw honesty in Nadia's life story and expect she will continue her quirky but beautiful journey with humor and humility. So good to know we can offer something to the world while still flawed.

This is a very honest book filled with Nadia's experiences as a Pastor and about her life as she traveled through darkness to come out on the other did. I would recommend it to anyone who trying to find their way to God. It speaks of God's Grace which comes to us over and over- It also speaks of the inclusiveness of God welcoming all those people we don't often see in our exclusive churches.

What a blessing Nadia is to every seeker for truth and honesty, I couldn't put this book down, loved it so much, will read it again and again.

This is what religion should be all about! And I say this as an Epuscopalian or Frozen Chosen as we are sometimes known as! The author writes so well ! She brings religion down to a Jesus level that is a wake up call for all! I immediately bought 5 more copies to give away!

Poignant essays of brokenness and redemption. Rev. Bolz-Weber writes like Annie Lamott, if with more doubt and surprise at being called to witness. She brings a fierce “God is with us” quality that will stay after the last page is turned.

I had the opportunity to read Pastrix, a book about a woman's journey in her faith both as a person, but also as a female minister. The book gave a good glimpse into two areas of life: A true Christian journey in all its messiness and imperfection, and the life of a minister from a female's perspective. As a side note, this book also gives a good view of what it is like to get a church started. Some of the author's stories were funny, as well as sad and thought provoking, about the life of a new minister trying to get a church off the ground and take care of her parishoners. An excellent book. Andy Heath

Outstanding. Thought provoking. Humbling, convicting. I admire her spirit and courage. After serving as pastor of a major evangelical church in Denver and in ministry 40 years I'm from a much different paradigm but I admire authenticity and obvious giftedness to be found in Nadia, her writing and her church. I want to visit.

five stars aren't enough. Nadia sweeps you along through glory and devastation and scandalous faith that would curl the hair of the Pharisees and certainly makes Jesus smile while weeping at the glory of it all. It's not sanitized, and neither it's Jesus, and that's what makes Nadia and her voice so completely different from what you are used to in the world of books written by and for Christians. It's not safe. It's life-changing. You will never be the same after riding along with Jesus and Nadia.

This is one of those Christian books written for people with all the feels but lack the terminology. Being raised Catholic we had prescribed words for everything. And I still remember them all. But as a relatively new Protestant, I don't always have the words for those spontaneous moments with no script. This book helped me find them a little.

While I doubt I'd be inclined to visit Church of All Sinners and Saints, I, as a progressive Christian, am very glad it's around. I read her book to understand where Ms. Weber comes from. Her creativity in making "church" meaningful to modern lapsed Christians, too often injured by their "Faith" is commendable. God is still speaking.

There is something about this book--and this wommon minister--that has transformed my inner wommon. I am 73 years old and have been, for some time and for many reasons been passing through a spiritual place that was dark and full of doubt. It was not pleasant. Quite the opposite. First came a book by Matthew Fox, ORIGINAL BLESSING, which I read years ago and thought, "Wow! If anything could save Christianity for me, this is it." Second came a book by Rob Bell, LOVE WINS. And somehow the darkness began to disperse. And then came Nadia Bolz-Weber and PASTRIX. I read it twice in two days...the second time to underline some of those things which most spoke to me and my situation. (Yup! I loved finding that the first word in PASTRIX is "shit.") I found Bolz-Weber and her book liberating. Now I--despite all the "shit" I've gathered over these years--am free to believe. The dark place has apparently gone. May God Herself keep me in this place. I love being here. And I am truly grateful to a wommon who so values her privacy; she found a way--or God Herself insisted that she find a way--to write a book that would change my little, old lady life!

It's refreshing to read about a normal, fallible, fellow human being, in her journey to teach the real gospel to those of us desperately seeking a guiding light in this world. Storytelling is her forte, and each story illustrates a principle I can apply to my daily life. Nadia is just like the rest of us with, with the same weaknesses and temptations. She reminds us that Jesus didn't hang around with the perfect people; he hung around with those people with tough lives, like prostitutes and tax collectors. In other words, people like us.

This book has renewed my faith. Edging away from the Christianity I was raised in but spending my adult life seeking, Nadia, with her beautiful, profane self, presents the Gospel in the most authentic and realistic way. She has renewed my faith while I was laughing all the way.

Pastrix is my kind of book. A big part of my theology is that God uses the "characters" to do God's work. So many times we are respulsed by folks who are different than we are and who don't fit the social norm. Whose insights are better to "speak" for a God who doesn't fit the norm. Nadia Bolz-Weber tells it like it is in her life as a pastor to folks who might be considered the unclean in our society today and she doesn't mince language. This book may not be for every person of faith, but if you tend to color outside the lines on faith mattes and are willing to look at an unconvential servant serving a huge God, this book is for you. Refreshing, tender and on the mark as to who Jesus would be hanging out with.

As a Christian, this book is what I want all Christians to be. Good job, Bolz-Weber!

It still amazes me how God can take broken, messed up people and do His thing. God is at work. This book is a great read for the Christian out there who simply doesn't feel like he or she fits in at "the church." But Nadia awesomely suggests (and she is right) that there is room for everyone at the Table of Grace. I am also a pastor and this book just giggled my soul because like Nadia, I too can be very cranky. But I was lost and somehow, somewhere Jesus reached down and plucked me off the path that leads to destruction and set me on the path to the Kingdom. And then, only God knows why, He called me to be a pastor. I'm just as broken as I have ever been but this time around, I know I'm God's. Thanks Nadia for your courage to write this.

I picked this book up initially because of the title and the image of Nadia Bolz-Weber.....hard to resist. All it took to pull me in though was reading just the first few pages. Telling her story in such an unabashed way and speaking out loud about what she struggles with even today about religion and the church brought it "closer to earth" for me. I will make a point to be in Denver sometime soon to experience HFASS and Nadia in person.

A friend posted a video of Nadia's recent interview with Krista Tippett. I was blown away. I relate on so many levels. Nadia speaks what my heart tells me is true about God, Jesus, the true teaching of the Gospel. While I grew up Catholic, not a fundamentalist, I am gay, and heard plenty of shaming messages. I became a drug addict and alcoholic and found recovery. In recovery I dabbled in Buddhism but could not let go of God, Mary, Jesus. What Nadia writes fits with what my heart tells me to be true. I wish I lived in Denver to attend her church. I just may find a nice ELCA church here. This book is a great read. Easy to read and pulls me in. Nadia's use of the F bomb makes her real, approachable, genuine. Anyone who has been turned off my far right religious right will find a home in this book.

Pastor Nadia's biography is a testament to how God never gives up trying to reach us. As a result, her ministry reaches those who society often writes off. The language is not what you would expect a pastor to use, but like so many things it needs to be read in context of her experiences. I also highly recommend finding her blog on line and following it.

The stunning and painful truth of grace and love and mercy both ripped me apart and put me back together again. I saw my own brokenness and even as I was undone, I heard the voice of God calling my name, reaching to me with the open hand of wholeness and grace, making me new. "Death and resurrection--the recurring experience of seeing the emptiness, weeping over our inability to fill it or even understand it, and then listening to the sound of God speaking our names and telling God's story--is messy business. But it's my business and its the most beautiful thing I could tell you about."

Interesting and insightful book. I am following her on Facebook and I am so happy that I found someone who is down to earth and keeps it real!

Nadia Bolz-Weber shares her story, which cannot be separated from God's story. The remarkably scandalous thing is that, while endearing, her story is never sugar-coated or airbrushed for mass consumption. This is not a religious self-help book; it is a confession of faith. It is a story that shows how challenging yet profoundly simple it is to cling to the promises of a loving God that keeps showing up in the damnedest places: whether that be in a quirky congregation in Denver, or in the basement of a bar, or in an adult bookstore, or hanging on a cross outside Jerusalem. Perhaps this book is not for faint hearts or tightly-clenched posteriors [edited to comply with guidelines]. For those seeking grace, however, it is a must read.