Altar Ego – Tales of the Punk Vicar, by Philip Chew

'Many anecdotes of what it is really like to be a priest and being in a punk band - an excellent illustration of the church exercising a wider community ministry'

Altar Ego – Tales of the Punk Vicar
By Philip Chew
Independently published 2019
ISBN 13: 9781790958191
Reviewed by Martin M’Caw

 
The title of this book is a pertinent play on words as Philip Chew describes himself as both vicar and punk rocker. It is a book written straight from the heart. How many clergy Free Church, Anglican or Catholic are major players in a punk band alongside their ministry?  

The book has three main factors. The highs and lows of being in a punk band from the 1980s , being a vicar ‘and the things we get up to’, and his personal journey.  
 
He runs through the traditional experiences of being a minister outside of taking services. There are many anecdotes of what it is really like to be a priest. Interviewing ‘strange’ people, experiencing criminality, dealing with people who come to the house and preparing a wedding service for a Coronation Street actress.  

The most difficult was preparing for the blessing of a marriage of a same sex couple who had previously married as man and wife. As they were now legally two women did that make the blessing of them heretical? Because God turns no-one away who comes to him with an open heart his answer to the dilemma was to ask ‘What would Jesus do?’ He surmised if they love each other and the love is of God, who was he to stand in their way, given God turns nobody away who comes to him with an open heart. So he did it.
 
The 16 short chapters under the heading of  ‘A vicar’s life up North’ is a fascinating account of the combination of ministry and concerts which is an excellent illustration of the church exercising a wider community ministry.  Whether or not a minister has particular musical, cultural or other interests, how can a church best develop wider community interests as part of its gospel outreach?
 
The final section 'North Wales and a Rural Ministry' is perhaps the most interesting part, telling how an urban vicar from the north of England tackled the issues of living in a bilingual community as he began to learn Welsh, and the combination of ministry and rock music made its mark.
 

The Revd Dr Martin M’Caw is a retired Baptist minister, and Wing Chaplain to No2 Welsh Wing RAF Cadets, also retired