On Being a Servant of God: 30 Meditations on the Basic Principles of Serving Others in God’s Name―Wisdom and Guidance for Pastors, Clergy, and Church Leaders

by Warren W. Wiersbe

Sometimes people lose sight of the core of their ministry. They feel overwhelmed by the needs that surround them on a daily basis. Wise and beloved pastor Warren Wiersbe invites ministry leaders to listen in on thirty short "armchair chats" to encourage and strengthen them for service. He shares what he wishes he had known about ministering to others when he began his own Christian pilgrimage. "Ministry," he says, "takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God." With this new edition of a classic book, which includes a foreword by Jim Cymbala, the next generation of ministry leaders can take advantage of Wiersbe's years of wisdom.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Theology, Leadership, Nonfiction, Christianity, Faith

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1993

About the author

Warren W. Wiersbe, former pastor of the Moody Church and general director of Back to the Bible, has traveled widely as a Bible teacher and conference speaker. Because of his encouragement to those in ministry, Dr. Wiersbe is often referred to as 'the pastor's pastor.' He has ministered in churches and conferences throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Central and South America, and Europe. Dr. Wiersbe has written over 150 books, including the popular BE series of commentaries on every book of the Bible, which has sold more than four million copies. At the 2002 Christian Booksellers Convention, he was awarded the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Dr. Wiersbe and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Reviews

[Christy]

4.25 stars

“Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God.”


A great read for anyone in service. Especially great if you lead any ministry. Honestly, I think every Christian could get something out of this.

“There’s no substitute for Christian character. No matter how much talent and training we may have, if we don’t have character, we don’t have anything.”

Audio book source: Hoopla
Story Rating: 4.25 stars
Narrators: Adam Verner
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Non-fiction
Length: 4h 12m

[Anne]

More aimed towards those who really work as ministers or in the church community, but a very great book nonetheless that encourages you to keep going and be strong even when things don't go as you might expect them, or when dealing with difficult people who challenge your Faith. I really enjoyed it, and since I used to work as a volunteer in the Parish Office, it was very helpful to better understand what ministers and counsellors have to go through on a daily basis.

[Ebookwormy1]

My husband and I read this book with other small group leaders for spiritual enrichment. "The thirty 'chats' in this book deal with some principles of ministry that I wish somebody had shared with me when I was ordained back in 1951..." states Wiersbe's introduction.

This book delivers. Every chat is full of pithy wisdom and rich clear principles for life and ministry. Topics are diverse and include: defining effective ministry, avoiding pitfalls, loyalty, notes to the seniors, notes to the young people, dealing with failure, absorbing success, staying close to the Word, integrating ministry and family life, etc. etc. I wouldn't have time to type into Goodreads all the quotes that struck me from this text!

I found reading it to be much like sitting down with the older, wiser grandfather we all wish we could consult about our struggles. And as I read, I thought through difficulties I had in ministry (both full-time and lay service) and whether or not I had handled them as he was advising and what difference it would make if I'd had this knowledge at the time.

Both my husband and I were grateful to have read this book and we felt like we wish we'd had more time to medidate on it and absorb it. I would highly recommend this book - it is one I will be periodically reviewing myself.

[Amy | Foxy Blogs]

4.5 stars

This book is a guide for anyone involved in ministry, whether in a formal church role or simply living a life of service. It contains wisdom, humility, and insight from decades of ministry experience. Mr. Wiersbe reminds readers that being a servant of God is not about performance, platform, or perfection, but it's about dependence on God, obedience, and a love for people.

"Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God."

This is a great reminder for Christians that it’s not about what we do for God but what God does through us.

Audiobook source: Hoopla
Narrator: Adam Verner
Length: 4h 12m

[Bryant]

I'm reading this book for my Practical Christian Ministry class and it has been extremely awesome so far! Invaluable insight for every Christian in their service to the Lord.

[Samuel Cowan]

What a small book with so much put into it, this is a very valuable tools to all in Ministry, whether church or Mission and to all considering going into full time ministry for the Lord.
It is very much Warren Wiersbe from his heart and in this little book published in the UK by 10ofThose Publisher and a very challenging and heart warming book for all to have.
The chapters are seen as chats that Wiersbe had with those who are in ministry and he brings not only his experience as a Pastor but all as a Bible teacher into the chat as well.
Whether you are facing hurts, doubts about ministry or would like to learn from a very experienced Pastor who has a heart of Pastors and others in Ministry then this is for you.
May you be blessed and encouraged in your ministry, guided as you contemplate your roll in ministry as you learn from Pastor Wiersbe and the Lord Himself.

[Reid]

" Ministry takes place when
(1)divine resources meet
(2)human needs through
(3)loving channels to
(4)the glory of God"

Ministry's definition
Ministry's motive

Luther: "Prayer, meditation and temptation make a minister"

Really good collection of thoughts about ministry based on the above quotation.

[Philip Parker]

Read this as part of Men's Accountability group. We meet each week to discuss three chapters as a group and although the chapters were small they had so much for us to discuss and ponder about our lives. One of those books you know you will be wanting to visit again and again.

[Simon Genoe]

Loads of truth but becomes a bit dry half way thru! Worth a read tho

[Bramwell Blyth]

An amazing book that transformed my journey of Christ Leadership.

[Mary Margaret]

This book was a great read with super practical and wise ministry advice! Each chapter was its own mini message! Super helpful, it felt like I was talking to a spiritual grandpa!

[Connor Kinkade]

This book helped me reflect on my current ministry and adjust some things that are lacking.

[Betty]

This is an excellent book. It doesn't matter if you are a Pastor or a member of a church.
This book is made up of thirty short chapters by the author, Warren Wiersbe. He has written the things he wish he had known about ministering to others when he began his ministry. However I found what he wrote was just as helpful to all Christians who are doing the best they can to serve the Lord.

[Jonathan Templeton]

Mucha opinion y motivado por esfuerzo propio.

¿A quién lo recomendaría? -

¿Hay algún libro que recomendaría antes? - La Vida Cruzcentrica

[Maui Rochell]

I saw this from Audrey's currently reading list and immediately checked it out as well as a servant of the Lord I know we needed this! I felt understood, seen and reminded while reading it most especially since I experienced a redirection when it comes to my role in God's service. I also shared bits and pieces of this book to my teammates as well.

It's a must read and re-read!!

[Bendick Ong]

Was passed this neat book which is actually a good pool of resources if one is thinking of encouraging fellow christians – mainly cos each chapter (wiersbe used “chat”) is around 1-8 pages long and capable of standing by its own.

Have found some that are real worth reading (which i marked with an *) and since the chapters come without a title, thought it would be useful to name them for future reference!:

introduction
elements of christian ministry 1: divine resources*
elements of christian ministry 2: human needs
elements of christian ministry 3: loving channels
elements of christian ministry 4: glory of God
being of use to God: finding your gifts, best self and strengths*
serving the Lord instead of serving man*
the providence and faithfulness of God
holiness and the building of christian character*
spiritual maturity: servant leadership
dealing with people: augustinian unity, liberty and charity
humor in christians: “joy is the serious business of heaven”*
the effect of a ministry on a minister*
bad reasons to quit a ministry*
good reasons to quit a ministry and how one should do it*
handling failures in ministry*
advice to senior christians*
advice to young christians: 1 page only!*
six myths about reading*
marriage: that family and ministry should not be in conflict
joy in service: privilege and pleasure
the Word of God: God’s revealed will
what God is looking for: the importance of saving the lost
on loyalty: diligence and devotion
disappointment: that suffering and glory come together
joy and fear in the Lord: relationship and responsibility
weariness in ministry: getting through it day by day*
enemy and the importance of forgiveness
mammon and God’s sanctification
future challenges and peace*
Guess whether a chapter gets an asterix depends largely on how relevant it is to my present walk – things i would want to know more - which means it might differ from person to person and from time to time, if not one can just read the asterixed ones if one is busy – or you can choose to do a chapter a day.

This book would also be very much suitable as a bible study material too – as there will be lots to reflect, share and talk about after the short reading.

[Carol]

Wiersbe began his ministry in 1956 and he didn't have a clear vision of what Christian work was all about. "Methods are many, principals are few; Methods always change, principals never do." Wiersbe realized that methods only work because of the principal behind them. (Wiersbe in my opinion is exceptional writer, love his BE series also!)

His four elements of ministry:
1. Divine Resource
2. The Human Need
3. Loving Channels
4. The Glory of God *most important

Our first step is to confess our bankruptcy and receive faith and grace that we need for acceptable service. Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs. We are called to live for others -- like Jesus. In Christian service, a sensitive spirit and tender heart are absolutely essential. We must say-- "Lord, what do you want me to do?" Both Christian Ministeries and humanitarian benevolence are done in love, but only Christian Ministry can put grace in their heart, so that lives will be changed. Sometimes it isn't what WE have done that creates the difficulty but what OTHERS have done. Matthew 20:28 "Jesus did not come to be served; but to serve, and to give his life as a ransome for many." We are to be like Jesus. Remember selfishness says-- "What will I get?" Service says-- "What I have I'll give to you." If the worker isn't blessed by the work, then something is radically wrong. Serving isn't a punishment, it is NOURISHMENT! We are all loving channels of the grace of God. He has us work in His strength, not in our own strength. The love needed for ministry is not a natural ability, it is a supernatural quality that only God can provide. God is as concerned about the servant as He is about the service. He wants to do something THROUGH us and something IN us. You and I can't do everything but we can do something, which is the ministry that God calls us to fulfill.

[Kristi]

On being a servant of God has become my favorite book on the topic of Servanthood and leadership; Warren Weirsbe covers most topics of ministry in succinct but profound chapters which he writes with a very specific audience in mind. The book is definitely oriented towards an active member of the church -- however, it really does become irrelevant whether you are the a newbie volunteer at a 50 person parish or a member of staff at a mega-church. The truths written in this book will challenge you to view your ministry from a more Godly perspective and will engage you in identifying the areas in which you can improve.

[rené lauren]

That has a lot of good information about the challenges of ministry from the perspective of one that's been there. He doesn't offer easy answers, but he does not preach doom and gloom either. He's realistic that it's difficult, but it's good.

It's a little old school, so sometimes I had to reread parts because the wording was cumbersome, but overall, the information was helpful and encouraging.

[Michelle Barringer]

If you want to be challenged and encouraged to what being a servant of God is really about and what it takes to be the best for God, then this is a book for you. Not for the faint of heart!

Like Wiersbe, I too am "encouraged about the future because God is in it."

I re-read this book over the summer! It's become one of my "go-to" books for insight, understanding, and encouragement as I continue being a servant of God.

[Crissy]

This book helped me to realize my role as a servant, like Christ was a servant. With all the psuedo-christian books out there about "getting your best life now" this one really brings it home that its not about living the "Good life" but its about living A GOOD LIFE for others and not your own selfish desires. I loved it.

[Becky Hintz]

This is a genuinely helpful devotional book for those in the ministry. Wiersbe pours all his years of experience and wisdom into 30 brief chapters, addressing everything from envy to money to knowing when to leave a ministry. I highlighted more quotes than I can count, and will certainly re-read in years to come.

[Phil]

From advice on leaving a ministry to encouragement to those entering the ministry, this book provides helpful advice for the pastor. Even the layman who seeks involvement in the church will learn powerful lessons from this book. This book is a "must read" for every pastor or Christian worker.

[Sherrie]

Good and Practical advice for anyone in ministry or MINISTRY!! Leaders of any group or organization (who claim to be servants of GOD) should get this book and should read it at least once every six months.

[Jeff Davis]

I recommend this book to everyone who is a Christ disciple. This is one of the books that has truly been influencial to me not only as a pastor, but as a Christian who tries to live in a way that pleases my Father. I have read it multiple times.

[Kayla]

Book provides great reflection on your Christian walk and how to be better. It's hard out here -- in the world -- and the book acknowledges that well. Talks about being in the world without "being of the world."

[Mark Clements]

This is one of my few "read over and over and over again" books. Wiersbe distills his years of experience into 31 bite-sized chapters. He is imminently quotable and easy to read. From "how to leave a ministry" to talking about money, he injects common sense into many subjects.

[Brian White]

A great little book. Mike Mehaffie and Trish Smith gave this to us in 1994 at the Santa Cruz summer project with Cru. I have read it a few times over the years and it is always encouraging and a helpful perspective.

[Timothy Smallwood]

Easy to read, practical, applicable!

I really liked the chat format, easy to read chapters that didn't take a long time to develop. Recommend to all ministers, full time, part time, or volunteer.

[Lluvsknitting]

Very insightful. Down to earth!