Clergy life is full of surprises – and many of them don’t come up in
theological college. From tricky PCC meetings to unexpected pastoral
situations to the quirks of church buildings, this honest and humorous
guide dives into the messy, holy, and often unpredictable realities of
parish ministry.
With warmth and wit, Real Life Rev offers practical wisdom for
navigating the everyday challenges of church leadership. Whether it’s
managing conflicting opinions, opening the church to a wider community,
or simply deciding what to do when a lorry arrives with two tons of
yogurt drink for your food bank, Martin Poole offers encouragement for
those discovering that ministry is rarely tidy – but always full of
grace.
Martin Poole is a parish priest in Brighton and founder of Beyond
Church, a small community of curators, dreamers, artists and
provocateurs who have a passion for creating inspiring experiences of
God.