Brothers, We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry, Updated and Expanded Edition

We pastors are being killed by the professionalizing of the pastoral ministry. The mentality of the professional is not the mentality of the prophet. It is not the mentality of the slave of Christ. Professionalism has nothing to do with the essence and heart of the Christian ministry. The more professional we long to be, the more spiritual death we will leave in our wake. For there is no professional childlikeness (Matt. 18:3); there is no professional tenderheartedness (Eph. 4:32); there is no professional panting after God (Ps. 42:1). But our first business is to pant after God in prayer.This week I finished reading through the revised and updated version of John Piper's book Brothers, We are Not Professionals. Overall it was a good, worthwhile read. While I don't necessarily agree with all points Piper makes theologically, this book has a lot of practical application and takeaways. I would definitely recommend this to anyone serving in ministry to refine motives and theology of "serving" not as "professionals" but with a refined heart that seeks after God.Some of my favorite reminders throughout this book come from a few of the chapter like:Chapter 7- Beware the Debtor's EthicFor me, this chapter reinforces why we serve God. It is not to "pay back" a debt we owe God since we can never seek to do so. Good deeds does not pay back grace but borrows more.Chapter 8- Tell Them Not To Serve GodAgain this chapter helps refine motives for why we serve God and encourage others to do so as well. It is not about us but about God. Not for our glory but to glorify God.Chapter 10- Brothers, Let Us PrayThis chapter reinforces the prayer life of a follower of Jesus, a leader and especially those called to ministry. Prayer aligns us with God and recognizes our dependency in Him as opposed to the other areas of ministry we can come to rely upon.Plus several more...So if you are considering going into ministry, just starting out in ministry or have been serving in ministry already for a number of years; definitely get this book and read it to refresh your motives and understanding.

I’ll state it right up front—every pastor should read “Brothers, We Are Not Professionals” by John Piper.The pastor is called upon to do lots of things, some of which are considered by both pastor and parishioner to more “spiritual” or more “business.” But in reality, all that a pastor (or any Christian for that matter) does is spiritual, because it is all to be done for the glory of God. Over time, many pastors have lost sight of the sacred nature of their calling, turning what they do into a professional pursuit.Piper explains, “First, professionalism should always be marginal, not central; optional, not crucial. And second, the pursuit of professionalism will push the supernatural center more and more into the corner while ministry becomes a set of secular competencies with a religious veneer. … When I look back, my regret is not that I wasn’t more professional but that I wasn’t more prayerful, more passionate for souls, more consistent in personal witness, more emotionally engaged with my children, more tender with my wife, more spontaneously affirming of the good in others.”Every chapter is chockfull of biblical insights, personal examples from John Piper’s ministry, and historical sources that have stood the test of time. I’ll say it again: every pastor should read this book!I’ll add my own “amen” this prayer John Piper offers: “Banish professionalism from our midst, O God, and in its place put passionate prayer, poverty of spirit, hunger for God, rigorous study of holy things, white-hot devotion to Jesus Christ, utter indifference to all material gain, and unremitting labor to rescue the perishing, perfect the saints, and glorify our sovereign Lord. In Jesus’ great and powerful name. Amen.”

This book took off for me after chapter 10. It felt like a small weekend conference with John Piper telling young pastors what he would want to pass along to them in the ministry. It also had some significant teaching in it as well on biblical topics. Of course, it’s eaten up with Scripture as the basis of his convictions. Very much recommend to pastors.

This should be read by all pastors and teachers, and even by the average Christian. It would help the church enormously.

Excellent presentation of attitudes, priorities, and habits of a minister/pastor/elders/shepherd, naturally seen through the lens of Piper’s main thesis: God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in us.My only minor gripe is that I wish he would have talked more about how his views work themselves out on a practical level in a church ministry staff. In other words, what does a medium to large church staff look like if nobody is a “professional.” How is it structured, how are people held accountable, how do you set goals, what is the leadership structure/sharing/responsibility, how should pastoral compensation be established, etc. How did Piper work all these things out at Bethlehem Baptist, for example? Otherwise, I believe his view of worship is mostly excellent, but a little over-spiritualized. Even though the NT certainly delocalizes worship, both the OT and NT emphasize a comprehensive worship-oriented lifestyle, and the importance of corporate expressions of worship following a “Gospel-shaped” pattern (a lá Brian Chappell.)

Another well-written book by John Piper

Challenging, humbling, frightening, inspiring... sometimes on the same page!This book is written for full time pastors, but it's just as useful for the person who wants to improve themselves and get closer to God.I really love Piper's writing style; it is accessible but doesn't mince words when needing to be impactful. Piper has a way with words that had me smiling at the ways God works in and through us, and cowering when presented with the gravity of the task/s at hand.I would go so far as to say even if you don't align yourself with everything in the book, it's a must read for Christians of all denominations - it's that good!

Absolutely essential reading for pastors in any denomination. This book will help you to seek the glory and supremacy of God in all areas of your personal life and ministry.

one of those books where one chapter takes you so far in one direction you are inspired and encouraged and challenged and not sure if that can quite be right, and then the next chapter takes you off in a different direction.an always timely corrective for anyone getting tangled in the worst kind of ministerial development

book arrived quick and in good condition. Contents however leaves much to desire. Misunderstanding regarding professionalism and throws baby out with the bath water