Customer Reviews
An antidote to the managerial style of church leadership - By: P. M. Fernandez, 26 Oct 2007 
Most evangelical Christians know of John Piper - he is one of the key evangelical Bible conference speakers. But his teaching doesn't flow from some international ministry run from an office block somewhere (though he does have international impact) but out of his pastoral ministry at Bethlehem Baptist Church, in Minneapolis.
In many US churches, the tendency has been to move towards a business-oriented, "managerial" pattern of church leadership. In the first essay in this collection, which gives the book its title, Piper reminds his target audience of ministers strongly that church leadership isn't fundamentallly about business management, but about service - that their model isn't to be the world of commerce, but the suffering servant. Of course, when somebody sneezes in a US church, people in UK churches catch cold, so the book is also significant for ministers this side of the Atlantic.
The rest of the book consists of a series of essays which challlenge ministers in many areas of their Christian lives - their relationship with their wives; the way music functions in their churches; their prayer life. The chapter titles themselves - "Brothers, tell them copper will do", "Brothers, save the saints" - are challlenging & inviting. The aim is for ministers & their churches to conform more to the pattern of Christ, & less to the pattern of the world.
Even if the reader finds himself disagreeing with Piper over some issues, this book can hardly fail to have good fruit in stirring up ministers to holiness & the pursuit of God. May they read it & be encouraged in the ministry that they have been given.
Essential Reading - By: A. Kilpatrick, 19 Oct 2007 This is one of the most important books I've read as a pastor. It's challlenged me as to why I do the job that I do. I've now rekindled my greek as a result of one of the chapters & my fire for God has increased!
pastors be challenged! - By: Andrew Price, 23 Dec 2006 Whilst i am a fan of John Piper ,his books are not alway's an easy read especiallly if you are used to some of the 'lighter' stuff out there. This one, however has the advantage of each chapter standing alone as Piper tackles a variety of subjects from a pastors perspective.
The first chapter 'Brothers we are not Profesionals' sets the tone for the book. For example '..our first business is to pant after God in prayer.' Have you ever seen an ad for a Pastor 'the ideal candidate will pant after God & weep over sins?' No, I haven't either!
Another good one is chapter 10 'Brothers, fight for your lives' about the need for Pastors to read good deep books.
Some chapters stand out more than others but alll are beneficial.
This is a book would have some value for the average believer but is reallly aimed at Pastors. Very good!
