Pastrix

The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint

By: Nadia Bolz-Weber

Narrated by: Nadia Bolz-Weber

Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

"Seven years on from its original publication, Pastrix remains bracing and beautiful. Nadia’s bold vulnerability and tender heart are timeless gifts. And the words she has added to this edition remind me: We need her call to tender grace and a loving, forgiving God now more than ever." (Jeff Chu, author of Does Jesus Really Love Me?)

Pastrix: a derogatory term used by Christians who refuse to recognize female pastors.

Heavily tattooed and foul-mouthed, Nadia Bolz-Weber, a former stand-up comic, sure as hell didn't consider herself to be religious-leader material - until the day she ended up leading a friend's funeral in a smoky downtown comedy club. Surrounded by fellow alcoholics, depressives, and cynics, she realized: These were her people. Maybe she was meant to be their pastor.

Using life stories - from living in a hopeful-but-haggard commune of slackers to surviving the wobbly chairs and war stories of a group for recovering alcoholics, from her unusual but undeniable spiritual calling to pastoring a notorious con artist - Nadia uses humorous narrative and poignant honesty to portray a woman who is both deeply faithful and deeply flawed, giving hope to the rest of us along the way.

This is the book for people who hunger for a bit of hope that doesn't come from vapid consumerism or navel-gazing; for women who talk too loudly and guys who love chick flicks; for the gay man who loves Jesus and won't allow himself to be shunned by the church. In short, this book is for every thinking misfit suspicious of institutionalized religion but still seeking transcendence and mystery.

Updated with a new afterword, Pastrix is wildly entertaining, sardonically irreverent, and deeply resonant - a messy, beautiful, prayer - and profanity-laden narrative about an unconventional life of faith.

©2013 Nadia Bolz-Weber (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Bolz-Weber represents a new, muscular form of liberal Christianity, one that merges the passion and life-changing fervor of evangelicalism with the commitment to inclusiveness." (The Washington Post)

"Nadia Bolz-Weber is what you'd get if you mixed the DNA of Louis C.K., Joey Ramone, and St. Paul. She is by far my favorite tatted-up, cranky pastor ever. Follow her. Not just on Twitter, but wherever her unique mind takes you. What I'm trying to say is: Buy this book." (A.J. Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Biblically)

"Bolz-Weber has such a distinctive voice and outlook, it's amazing she hasn't written more books. Perhaps it's because she's been too busy living the checkered and fascinating life that is the subject of her theological memoir.... Here's hoping her authentic voice continues to preach in more books." (Publishers Weekly)

I love you, Nadia Bolz-Weber!

Everything she said resonated with me at this point in my life. This book and by extension its author is real, funny yet deadly serious, inspiring, simple yet challenging, straight forward yet thought provoking, offensive yet strangely attractive, vulgar yet pious, logical, emotional, sarcastic....in short I'm smitten.
Buy the print book or ebook, read it (highlight like mad) buy the audiobook, listen to it then listen to it again (quote like mad).
Now, I'm on to Accidental Saints...

thought - provoking

Loved it and will listen to it again and again. I need to be next to my notebook next time so I can properly write down and reflect on these ideas, stories, and verses.

Authentic

I loved that the author read this book herself. It felt so authentic that I'm going to start it again so as not to miss any of the gems within it.

love

I love this book I've listened to it several times. It makes me cry and it makes me feel like I am on the right track. We are all Sinners and Saints this is an excellent read.

A beautiful, messy expression of faith rarely seen

A raw, honest telling of brokenness & redemption that doesn't dress it up to fit in religious convention. Nadia's narration is spectacular!

Fascinating Read!

Filled with controversy, and I'm not sure I stand on the same side of the fence as Pastor Nadia, I simply could not put this book down. Gripping, honest, and raw are perhaps the best descriptions of her spiritual journey. As I finished listening, I thought, "Gee... I' d sure love to meet her!"

loved this

listening to this during my drives i would laugh out loud!! i loved it!! Going to read it again

raw truths served up with tears & humor

Ms. Bolz-Weber has a knack for great storytelling. This book is an excellent dissertation on Luther's view of Grace with modern life examples of what that looks like.

Beautiful

Thank you, Nadia. Your words reach my heart in ways no others can.

Very highly recommended for anyone who seeks God in hopes of being sought by Him at the same time.

Original and thought provoking

Would you listen to Pastrix again? Why?

yes

Have you listened to any of Nadia Bolz-Weber’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Any additional comments?

This book is an unconventional, thoughtful memoir. Reverend Bolz-Weber shares a life and faith journey that are hers alone, but offer lessons and insights for many of us. Christians who are comfortable with a simple, well-packaged and judgmental faith will not like this book. For those, both believers and non-believers, who struggle with the contradictions of life and belief, this is a fascinating book and well worth reading.