The Ministry of Small Things: Wisdom for Those Who Serve the Church

Christ can do a lot with a little—and he loves to bless his church through a pastor’s small acts of care. In thirty chapters, Reuben Bredenhof explores seemingly minor ministry activities and attitudes that can make a great impact on a flock. Celebrate God’s power at work through quiet, predictable faithfulness.

Contents

Introduction

Beginning the Work

1. Have a Ministry of Small Things
2. Let Your People Know That You Love Them
3. Take the Time to Get to Know Your People
4. Embrace the Ordinariness of Life
5. Be Ready for Surprises
6. Pray for Your People
7. Begin with Small Steps

Doing the Work

8. Just Show Up
9. Know Why You’re There
10. Open the Word
11. Use Your Ears
12. Ask the Questions You Don’t Want to Ask
13. Just Reach Out
14. Don’t Forget Your Fellow Workers
15. See the Individuals
16. Be the Predictable Pastor
17. Remember
18. Help Your People Through the Big Events
19. Know What to Do with Praise
20. Pray with Your People
21. Be an Encourager

Pressing On with the Work

22. Love the Hard Ones
23. Savor the Gift of Ministry
24. Know What to Do with Criticism
25. Be More Stubborn Than They Are
26. Believe That People Can Change
27. Thank God for the Faithful
28. Don’t Take the Credit—or the Blame
29. Share in the Hurts
30. Keep Going Until the Work Is Done

Postscript
Acknowledgments

Endorsements

“Bredenhof’s book is uniquely helpful and insightful. I’ve not read one like it, and I would strongly encourage every elder to read it. Behind this book is an overall vision of ministry that needs to be recovered by many today.”
—Jonathan Leeman, President, 9Marks

“With seasoned pastoral skill, Bredenhof shepherds his fellow shepherds, catechizing them in these simple but eternally valuable habits of a faithful ministry. Here is a manual of faithful shepherding. Every pastor would do well to heed to the wise counsel contained in these pages.”
—Joel R. Beeke, Chancellor and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

“A daily dose of The Ministry of Small Things will prove to be a month’s sabbatical for pastors on the frontlines of ministry.”
—Peter A. Lillback, President, Westminster Theological Seminary