How can ministry leaders remain faithful to their work for the kingdom of God without letting bitterness creep in?

A great read for pastors, elders, and other ministry workers!

Joyful perseverance is one of the most helpful books that I have read this past year. The clear biblical focus on pushing through trial and focusing on Christ and the joy of our salvation is such a huge need in our culture and for me personally. This book has been such a help to me. I’m so thankful for it.

This book was much needed encouragement for me, and I recommend it for those in full-time ministry as well as lay-leaders and volunteers. The author has thought of the most pressing challenges one could face in ministry and empathetically points readers to truth from Scripture and to the Gospel. The practical reminders that resonated with me the most were going to God in prayer, embracing a life of confession and repentance, drawing upon the power of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of cultivating a community and fellowship with other believers. I will be referencing this novel time and time again. Thank you to #NetGalley and #Crossway for the privilege to review an ARC.

This is one of those books everyone in ministry should have on their shelf. Whether you are full-time, part-time, or volunteer, this will bless your soul. Working in ministry has its ups and downs; it takes being saturated in scripture and prayer to keep going and stay fresh in ministry. The way this book is laid out, every chapter is a new topic, and, after reading completion once, it can be used to open wherever you may need a good reminder that ministry is pure joy and is perseverance. I loved the quotes and stories from some of history's most popular theologians and missionaries. Stories of the good times and stories in the trenches when all hope seems lost, but their joy in the Lord shines the brightest in those lows. I will be adding this to the bookshelf and returning to this book many times this year as I go through some of the lows and highs in ministry to keep me grounded in being joyful for the Lord and not myself or my accomplishments. All the glory goes to God.

I loved this book. Ajith Fernando has been in ministry for forty-seven years, so when he talks about perseverance in ministry, he has the experience to back it up. He writes with grace and humility and simply points his readers back to the basics of the faith: living in the grace of God and depending on him for strength.
Though the topics in this book will not necessarily be novel, there were so many thought-provoking insights, including:
-Not neglecting ministry to individuals as we participate in large-scale ministry
-Rhythms of discipline in the Christian life (how we handle on-going sin struggles)
-The hard work of prayer (but why it’s worth it)
-Fighting for joy despite suffering and challenges
Though this book is written towards those in official ministry capacities, I would recommend it to any believer. There is much to be said for “pressing on” and what it takes to do so in faithful service to the Lord, regardless of what our titles are. Read and be encouraged!
Thank you to Netgalley and Crossway for the advanced review copy. Joyful Perseverance releases on July 16.

This book was so beautiful. I already want to gift to many of my friends. It was so uplifting, and heartfelt. I loved the takeaway and the thoughts that were touched throughout it. Beautifully done.