The PK Handbook by Barnabas Piper

The PK Handbook by Barnabas Piper

Barnabas Piper, the son of noted pastor John Piper has written a short treatise for “preacher kids” or PKs. He really does give encouragement and advice from one pastor’s kid to another. As a pastor (who is a PK) who has children, I could relate to every page. He starts with “If I knew then what I knew now” – five observations in retrospect. These include:

1. I wouldn’t worry so much about what other people think.

2. I’d dig into God’s Word with the purpose of knowing God better.

3. I’d dream big and not feel guilty about it.

4. I’d bask in God’s undivided attention and affection for me.

5. I wouldn’t even think about giving up on the church.

Piper gives advice about how to behave on Sundays. These comical observations can help PKs from taking themselves, their parents, and their ministry too seriously. He shares three truths:

God loves you.

God made you who you are and put you in your family.

Your parents love you.

He also gives a top ten list (I love top ten lists). He calls them: “Top Ten Things PKs Should Know.”

1. You don’t have to behave better than everyone,

2. You don’t know Jesus because you know all the answers about Him.

3. Ask your questions.

4. You have no right to be proud.

5. You don’t have to like your church.

6. Don’t project your dissatisfaction in one church on to all of them.

7. Being a PK is a blessing.

8. Have a sense of humor.

9. Being a PK makes you uniquely prepared to serve God’s church.

10. Assume the best about people.

Piper ends with a PK pep talk. The point is to recognized how blessed a PK really is. It is not a burden, but a blessing to be a PK. Although the book is short – it is more like a pamphlet – it is to the point. Piper does a great job of boiling down the point of a topic. He does a great job of encouraging other PKs. I for one am glad he wrote this. You can see the video below and you can check out his website as well.