Book Review: No Halos in Heaven

Book Review by Rev Paul Clark

Published Posthumously, I recently read No Halos in Heaven, the autobiography of Rev James F. McConaghy. Jim was born in 1918 and passed away just before his 100^th birthday in 2018. He wrote the autobiography to motivate, inspire, reassure, and encourage people.

Jim became a Presbyterian Minister and served as a probationer in Wynnum, Pittsworth, Murgon, St Pauls, and Cannon Hill, before being ordained on 28^th December 1949, and serving in Redcliffe, Stanthorpe, Toowoomba, Fortitude Valley, Kenmore, Maryborough and Clayfield, retiring in 1987.

Jim recalls his early life, and surviving during the depression through the sheer hard work and grit of his family. It’s worth reading just to realise how different life was not that long ago. How different Ministry training was, and the expectations on ministers and their spouses.

Jim was part of some amazing and interesting ministry. Wherever he went they pretty much had to build churches and manses as Brisbane and Queensland were was still growing and developing. It can be easy to think all congregations were growing in those days, but just like now, some were and some weren’t. Jim’s success was engaging with the community, youth ministry, a hard-working wife, working extremely hard and creating a warm, welcoming community. You’ll be pleased to know we look after our ministers a lot better than in those days. His passion for God, the gospel and people really comes through in the pages.

Jim was instrumental in the development of St Andrews Private Hospital in Toowoomba, and the Kalparrin Family Counselling Service in Fortitude Valley (now part of UnitingCare). He also lectured for 10 years at the Oxley Police Academy in Criminology and Social Psychology.

It’s a fascinating read for those who will remember the times, and for those of us who will come to appreciate what we have now!  You can purchase copies at Trinity College Queensland, or borrow it from the College Library.