Winn Collier, who serves as pastor of All Souls Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, seems to understand what it takes to lead an effective church in a small community.

In his new book, Love Big, Be Well: Letters to a Small-Town Church, it is apparent that Collier has lived many of the lessons he shares. He isn’t just weaving a tale or pontificating a theory of ministry. He has been there and done that, packing a lifetime of insights into this page-turning series of letters between fictional characters.

The setting is the fictional village of Granby, USA. Within this community is a small Presbyterian church engaged in the difficult and trying search for a new pastor. The search committee has become “underwhelmed” with the many potential candidates who simply submit a resume, and then, when apprised of the size and location of the congregation, suddenly feel God’s call elsewhere.

The committee decides to write and send a simple, yet profound, letter that begins, “Do you actually want to be our pastor … not a manager, coach, or CEO?”

Collier’s penetrating perspective on rural and small-town ministry makes this a fascinating read.

They continue with two more important and poignant questions: “Will you love us? And will you teach us to love one another?”

As providence would have it, Jonas McAnn receives the letter. The pastor-turned-insurance salesman had led a church for 14 years before leaving the ministry in frustration. He knows God’s call still resides in his heart, and when he receives the letter, he feels prompted to respond to the simple honesty with some honesty of his own.

Jonas’ letter of response mirrors the congregation’s expressed frustration, and he receives an invitation to come.

“Just bring us yourself, Jonas!” the church writes. “Whatever else pastors might do when they come to a new church, please, just bring us yourself!”

So, Jonas and his family make a major move of faith and begin a new life journey in the Granby Community Presbyterian Church. The rest of the book comprises the letters Pastor McAnn and the people continue to exchange after his arrival. They are letters expressing the humor, disappointment, joy and frustrations that arise when people work together.

A statement that Pastor Jonas makes soon after his arrival summarizes the book’s theme: “I received the title of Pastor after a vote. However, I will only actually become your pastor after years of laying sturdy stone upon sturdy stone. This is the way it is supposed to be. It is a work worthy of a life.”

Some elements of the book are not as universal as others. For instance, the author presents a view of church life that is extremely creedal in context, which may put off some evangelical readers. Nevertheless, Collier’s penetrating perspective on rural and small-town ministry makes this a fascinating read. 

Book Reviewed

Winn Collier, Love Big, Be Well: Letters to a Small-Town Church (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2017)