Holy orders (by Thom Braun)

(Amazon UK link)

'When I enter a church I normally seek out a place of quiet. A place where I can be alone for a few minutes. Alone to collect my thoughts, to talk to myself and to God. It is for this reason that my priority is usually to seek out the toilet.'

This opening paragraph sets the scene for Thom Braun's book 'Holy orders'. It's the story of Michael Dunn's dual existence as a non-stipendiary minister in the Anglican church, and director of a busy advertising agency in London where he earns his living during the week. The book is told in the first person, combining light-hearted humour with more serious anecdotes. It's based somewhat on experience, since the author himself combines two similar careers, but does not claim to be autobiographical.

The book begins with Michael's ordination, a ceremony which takes place after a few days of retreat. Michael is clearly not a run-of-the mill minister. While other ordinands have bought clerical shirts in black, or perhaps dark blue or grey, Michael has managed to obtain three custom-made ones: one in yellow, one in blue and red stripes, one black with white polka-dot spots. After astounding his fellow ordinands by choosing the polka-dot shirt for the big day, he offers lifts in his car to the Cathedral. Then he gets completely lost after taking the advice of one of his passengers about a 'short cut', after which he's stopped by the police for speeding.

The book isn't all farcical, however. Serious moments of reflection run alongside the unlikely and amusing anecdotes with which Michael's life is peppered. After his hair-raising trip to the Cathedral, he describes the hair rising on the back of his neck as they process in for the ceremony. 'When the bishop placed his hands on my head', he continues, 'I felt awash with the beauty of the moment'. He is overwhelmed by an awe-inspiring sense of responsibility, and deep humility, combined with a wonderful assurance of God's love.

Subsequent chapters show Michael both in his day job in the advertising world, and learning to play his part as a curate at weekends. In his advertising job, his colleagues are naturally curious - and a little puzzled - about his new life. Michael himself wonders how he can reconcile his two vastly different vocations. But gradually, despite plenty of mistakes, he finds that he can be a minister - when needed - in his workplace, and equally that he can bring his creative flair for advertising to good use within his role as a curate. The heart of the Christian message is explained in a roundabout sort of way, in an appropriate context to someone who is curious. But it's not done in a cringeworthy way (in my view, anyway) as can so often happen in books of this sort.

Michael comes across as a likeable person who enjoys being in the centre of attention, but who never minds being teased. He admits his mistakes readily and is happy to laugh at himself. He's well supported by his wife Cheryl and daughter Amy, and although they don't play huge roles in the book they too come across as delightful characters. His colleagues both in the office and in the church are also well-drawn, slightly caricatured perhaps, but none the worse for that. They are distinct enough that I had no difficulty remembering who was who.

This isn't the kind of book I would normally buy. It was obviously a light read and not very long. However it was on special offer and I thought it was something the whole family would probably enjoy in a low-key way. I didn't have high expectations, but found myself pleasantly surprised. There is a nice mixture of amusing and moving moments, and interesting insights into the workings of the Church of England - albeit with rather more embarrassing incidents than would (I assume) normally happen in the life of the average curate.

I think this book would appeal to anyone with a sense of humour who has an interest in either the church or the advertising world, or indeed both. It's an easy enough read - something to pick up and peruse in odd moments, with each chapter more-or-less complete in itself. Naturally enough there's no horror, no sex, no bad language, no violence, not even a crime to solve. Indeed there's not all that much of a plot. The book simply covers the first six months of Michael's dual career.

Yet somehow it's an appealing book. My teenage sons enjoyed it too, and it's one we'll probably all re-read at odd times when we want something relaxing, easy, and mildly amusing. There's a sequel called 'Free spirits'; having enjoyed this one, we may well go ahead and buy that too.

Recommended, particularly for anyone who knows anything about the Church of England.