Leadership, Pastoral Resources, Theology 

In spite of good intentions, too many Christian workers today burn out, suffer moral lapses, or just get discouraged and quit. How can you avoid failing as a Christian leader? Ajith Fernando believes that much ministry failure results from neglect of the basics of the faith. Too often today’s church is riveted on ministry technique to the neglect of leadership lifestyle. In Fernando’s own words: “Perhaps the greatest need in the training of leaders today is to provide guidelines to help them live as biblical men and women.” In this book, Fernando identifies the foundational elements that allow you to be both effective and joyful in your service. He shows from Jesus’ own ministry that relating to the people you minister to, retreating from busyness to prayer, being affirmed and empowered by God, discipling younger leaders, and gaining strength from God’s Word must be at the heart of your ministry. Rich in Scripture and full of stories from Fernando’s own years of ministry, this book will challenge you and provide resources to help you cultivate a long and fruitful life of ministry. “Ajith Fernando is a writer from whom I’ve learned much and whose authenticity I greatly respect.” Ravi Zacharias, Founder and President, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries “There is an authenticity, deep simplicity, and biblical richness to the writings of Ajith Fernando. The effect is that when I go to his books in search for something specific, I get drawn in longer than I intend. That is what happened with this book, every time I poked my nose into a different chapter. The church in the Western world needs to read what Ajith Fernando writes.” John Piper, Author, Senior Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota “What makes the writing of Ajith Fernando so convincing is the authenticity of his ministry. As few persons I know in this generation, he lives what he preaches.” Robert E. Coleman, Distinguished Professor of Evangelism and Discipleship, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary “Ajith Fernando towers above the crowd as one of the great Christians of our time. He is esteemed internationally for biblical scholarship and expository Bible teaching and for his work as an apologist and evangelist. It is no surprise that his Jesus Driven Ministry sets the Christocentric standard for us all.” R. Kent Hughes, Author, Senior Pastor, College Church in Wheaton, Illinois “Ajith Fernando does what he sets out to do—to name the basics in ministry, to validate them in Scripture, the church’s tradition, and experience. He also challenges us and provides us resources to develop and cultivate the basics. Robert Murray McCheyne once wrote, ‘The greatest need of my congregation is my own personal holiness.’ Fernando agrees. He makes the case that who we are is as important as what we do in ministry. This book will help us, no matter where we are on our ministry journey.” Maxie D. Dunnam, President, Asbury Theological Seminary “There is an identity crisis among those in the ministry today. People who have sensed a divine call to serve the Lord become confused about what a pastor or minister should be. CEO? Therapist? Visionary? Communicator? Shepherd? All of the above? . . . Serving the church not only in his home country of Sri Lanka but also internationally, Dr. Fernando demonstrates the relevance of the ministry model of Jesus to the matters ministers face globally. . . . If the priorities articulated in this book become the priorities of those in ministry, there will be greater integrity in the church, the truth of the gospel will be seen in the actions of its ministers, and, I believe, the Lord will be honored.” Gregory Waybright, President, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School - from Amzon