Pastrix - by Nadia Bolz-Weber (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author Nadia Bolz-Weber takes no prisoners as she reclaims the term "pastrix" (a term used by some Christians who refuse to recognize female pastors) in her messy, beautiful, prayer-and-profanity laden narrative about an unconventional life of faith.?

"I've given away a dozen copies of Pastrix over the years. I adore Bolz-Weber's spiritual brilliance and tender human heart." --Anne Lamott, New York Times bestselling author of Bird by Bird

Heavily tattooed and loud-mouthed, Nadia, 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 and her unusual but undeniable spiritual calling to her experiences pastoring people from all walks of life--and poignant honesty, Nadia portrays a woman who is both deeply faithful and deeply flawed, giving hope to the rest of us along the way.

Wildly entertaining and deeply resonant, this is the book for people who hunger for a bit of hope that doesn't come from vapid consumerism; for women who talk too loud and guys who love chick flicks; and for the gay person who loves Jesus and won't be shunned by the church. In short, this book is for every misfit suspicious of institutionalized religion but who is still seeking transcendence and mystery.

Review Quotes

"A wonderful, rule-breaking, stereotype-smashing book that succeeds as a memoir, as a sermon on love, and as a welcome home 'letter' to the rejected. With this book, Nadia will become America's pastor to those alienated from religion but who still crave transcendent purpose and meaning in their lives."--Frank Schaeffer, author of Crazy for God

"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

"Bolz-Weber is a surprisingly vulnerable narrator who pairs personal confessions with beautifully articulated statements of faith."
--Christian Century

"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

"Brilliant and hilarious...With this powerful book, Nadia claims the prophetic voice of the apostle to the apostles. And, like Mary Magdalene, she carries the good news of resurrection to the world."--Sara Miles, author of Take This Bread, Jesus Freak, and City of God

"Engaging and accessible...Bolz-Weber is clear-eyed about the personal travails faced by the marginalized and those without faith."--Booklist

"For anyone who is Christian, interested in Christianity, anti-Christian (or anti-Religion), I recommend this book."--Gordon Gano, lead singer, Violent Femmes

"Funny, raw, and packed with truth, this book is offensive in all the right ways...This book reminded me of why I am a Christian, and I wept when I finished it."
--Rachel Held Evans, author of Searching for Sunday

"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

"Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber speaks the truth of our humanity that we too often want to deny. She declares the radical power of God's grace for Jesus' sake that we so often water down rather than daily be drowned in it. Yes, read at your own risk."--Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, ELCA

"The amazing thing about Nadia Bolz-Weber is that she manages to take her Christianity into corners of life where the church can be pretty uncomfortable going."--The Daily Beast

"This book is Mere Christianity for an altogether new kind of Christianity that's also blessedly ancient. I couldn't turn pages fast enough and yet regretted the book's hastening end."--Jason Byassee, senior pastor of Boone United Methodist Church and Fellow in Theology & Leadership at Duke Divinity School

"This is an astonishing book...contagious, honest, captivating...a rare gift...I realize that I'm gushing, but that's what you do when a book inspires and moves and touches you like this one does."
--Rob Bell, author of What We Talk About When We Talk About God and Love Wins

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?

About the Author

Nadia Bolz-Weber is an ordained Lutheran pastor, founder of House For All Sinners & Saints in Denver, Colorado, host of The Confessional podcast and author of three NYT bestselling memoirs: Pastrix, Accidental Saints, and Shameless. She writes and speaks about faith, culture, recovery, personal failings and grace.