Tom Carson: A Thematic Report

Introduction This is a book on the life of an “ordinary” pastor, Tom Carson, written by his famous son, D. A. Carson. It is based on the journals letters and sermon notes of Tom, also on the reports from other people. This book is not a critical biography, but a record and reflection over the life and ministry of an ordinary pastor to encourage ordinary ministers. Tom was involved in the ministry to the French-speaking people in Quebec for a span of six decades. He and his wife are faithful and obedient in the ministry, regardless of the difficulty and mediocre fruits. Tom is a perfectionist and always striving to be better in his ministry and family life. He is struggling with discouragement, depression, and feelings of worthlessness in his ministry. However, Tom accepts the challenges of ministry with interity , grace and faith. This book is an excellent account of a pastor who serves the Lord faithfully for years in a difficult ministry.

Summary In the first chapter, D. A. Carson gives a context of the ministry of his father Tom to help the reader understand the culture, language and geography where Tom do the ministry. The book records

Tom and his wife had worked in the Drummondville for fifteen years with small results in the ministry. Tom experienced his own dark night of the soul in the last four years or so of that period. He depressed for two factors: one is the feeling of inferiority, the other is sheep-stealing.The drama of the shoemaker’s departure also gave him more stress. Although he suffered in his own struggles, Tom was certainly not neglecting his own family. He led his family in spiritual and spend time playing with his kids. In 1963, Tom resigned from Faith Baptist church in Drummondville and became a civil servant when he was fifty-two years