Remaining Faithful in Ministry

The office of Pastor has been under fire for almost 2000 years, and today more so than ever. Remaining faithful during these challenging moments can prove difficult, but John MacArthur establishes 9 convictions each pastor should hold to in his book “Remaining Faithful in Ministry.” MacArthur does a deep dive into how Paul withstood countless attacks through his ministry and still remained true to Christ from beginning to end. The focus of this book is on Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth, and heavily pays attention to the fourth chapter. While MacArthur uses the entire bible to draw out his nine convictions, he remains true to biblical doctrine when building these platforms for preachers to stand upon. Each of these convictions are drawn out of the circumstances that Paul was facing when he wrote the first and second Corinthians; always drawing on the bible to establish his position.

MacArthur draws upon his own personal experience and that of Paul’s to conclude that the mantel of preacher is one not to be taken lightly. Those in ministry, should understand the walk of the apostles, and their views of preaching and working with God’s sheep. This book helps bring to light issues Paul had and that he overcame, and these same convictions apply to pastors today. Based on MacArthur’s relentless pursuit to remain biblical in these convictions, I would recommend this book to any person in ministry or entering. Hopefully to help show them that their strength comes from God alone, and not of themselves.

Remaining Faithful in Ministry: 9 Essential Convictions for Every Pastor. John MacArthur. 2019. 80 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence from the introduction: Four successive generations of my immediate ancestors included men who faithfully served the Lord as pastors.

First sentence from chapter one: Second Corinthians 4 begins with Paul saying, “Therefore, having this ministry . . .” (v. 1).

In John MacArthur's newest book--or booklet--he shares NINE essential convictions that every pastor true to the gospel of Christ should hold and hold dear. These nine essential convictions do not come out of thin air, nor are they the result of MacArthur's personal preferences. No, these nine essentials are taken straight from the Word of God--drawn from 2 Corinthians to be more precise. This booklet examines 2 Corinthians 3 and 4.

So what are these nine essentials?

Convinced of the Superiority of the New Covenant
Convinced That Ministry is a Mercy
Convinced of the Need for a Pure Heart
Convinced of the Need to Preach the Word Faithfully
Convinced That the Results Belong To God
Convinced of His Own Insignificance
Convinced of the Benefit of Suffering
Convinced of the Need for Courage
Convinced That Future Glory Is Better Than Anything

There is a chapter for each conviction, each essential. One doesn't need to read the book to guess what "convinced of the need to preach the word faithfully" might mean. But some of the others you may need the book to clarify for you.

I would recommend this one. I love that it is biblical. MacArthur doesn't talk opinions, ideas, philosophies, world views. He speaks the Word of God--what it meant then, what it means now. And guess what--those two don't contradict shouldn't really contradict one another. I love that it focuses on teaching. Perhaps he's assuming that his audience wants to learn, but I think he's assuming correctly! I love that he introduces Greek words, shows how various translations translate the word in the passage, and then gives us his opinion on what the passage means--in this case, what Paul means.

For example,
"As he unpacks his philosophy in 2 Corinthians 4, Paul gives us a detailed answer to the question of how he remained faithful in the midst of so much adversity. He begins the chapter with this triumphant declaration: “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart” (v. 1). Modern translations typically say, “We don’t give up” (or some close equivalent). The Greek verb Paul uses (egkakeō) is a combination of two common words.The first is a form of the preposition en, which speaks of being at a state of rest or surrender “in” or “among” something. The main root is a noun, kakeō, meaning “wickedness” or “depravity.” So the sense of the expression is, “We do not give in to evil”—much stronger than if he were merely saying, “We don’t grow weary.” In other words, this is not only about resisting fatigue, discouragement, or cowardice. There’s a powerful note of holy defiance in Paul’s tone."

MacArthur is able to pack a lot of insight into this little booklet. He's concise. He has a point he wants to make and gets straight to it. Sometimes you have to love a no-nonsense approach.

I am grateful to net galley.com and Crossway for an advance review copy of this book. John MacArthur has been writing and preaching for over 40 years with his Grace to You ministries. This book really distills those 40 years into lessons for Pastors entering fresh into the ministry. MacArthur writes with his usual clear and challenging style.

The book is a mixture of challenge and comfort really, the challenge for a young pastor to have a pure heart was a challenge to me itself as was the chapter on preaching the Word faithfully. Amidst this challenge there was however some comfort such as the chapter that reminds pastors that ultimately the results belong with God.

This book will be of benefit to all pastors out there regardless of age or station.

How do we remain faithful in ministry? How do we persevere?

This question can be answered by looking at the life of the Apostle Paul. He is the great example of faithfulness in ministry. Paul’s life is a practical demonstration of Christian perseverance in ministry. The apostle has seen suffering, hunger, thirst, persecution and bloodshed. Yet in all this suffering, he remained faithful. How did he do that?

How did Paul remain faithful in ministry? How did he not lose heart? John MacArthur answers these questions for us by drawing out nine principles from a careful study of 2 Corinthians 4. MacArthur is an expositor so he cares little about the shallow pragmatic solutions that the world offers but instead he plunges into the depths of the scriptures to mine pure wisdom from God’s word.

We live in an age that looks down on the office of pastorate. Consequently, pastors are often pressed on every side. Many of them are discouraged and disheartened. This book offers sweet words of comfort to those who are made bitter by worldliness. This resource is like a friend that puts arm around you and gently woos you to be encouraged and persevere through God’s Word.

Are you discouraged or disheartened in ministry? This book is for you.

I thank Crossway for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

9 concise points in this book (let) that is far shorter than the average Dr. John fare. The man continues to fight the good fight and this offering is no different. GREAT

Apostle Paul's ministry was one that faced great opposition. He was beaten, stoned, and imprisoned, yet he pressed on and remained faithful to the end. How did Apostle Paul persevere and endure all his ministerial setback and even wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:10 - " Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." In this booklet, Pastor MacArthur outlines and examines 9 essential convictions that played a pivotal role in Apostle Paul's extraordinary perseverance, with the primary focus taken from 2 Corinthians 4.

As always, I enjoyed Pastor MacArthur's pellucid and insightful writing, without sugar-coating the truth. Drawing from Apostle Paul's teachings and his life, Pastor MacArthur outlined the 9 convictions as superiority of the New Covenant, ministry is a mercy, the need for a pure heart, the need to preach the Word faithfully, the results belong to God, his own insignificance, the benefit of suffering, the need for courage, and future glory is better than anything this world could offer. Each chapter is short, concise and fill with teachings from the Scripture.

This little gem is a must read not only for pastors but for every believer. It is an encouragement to us all especially in this last days where God's Truth is constantly being compromised and attacked.

"Therefore we will not lose heart, we will not defect; we will not give in to evil if we live by those convictions. We will one day stand in glory, having been faithful to the end and hear the Lord say, "Well done.""- John MacArthur

***I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from Crossway through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed in this review are my own and was not influenced by the author, publisher or any third party.***

hat we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 2 Corinthians 4:5. The gospel is a message about Christ, and at all times he is to be the singular focus of the message we proclaim.


This study is not only for pastors but also lay people as well. Pastors are called to a higher standard and the pressures of keeping the flock, their family and their ministry centered on Christ is a matter of faith. That being said, it will did me well to nurture my faith with this study. A study on Paul on how he remained faithful in thought and deed. The things that matter and the things that don't. Paul went thru many tribulations and thru it all remained faithful.

Paul was convinced. What does that look like? And what takes that away. Each chapter starts with the word convinced.

The Superiority of the New Covenant
That Ministry is Mercy
The Need of a pure heart
The need to preach the word Faithfully
The results belong to God
Our Own insignificance.
The Benefit of Suffering
Need for Courage
The future glory is better than anything.

The order of these chapters, lay the ground work for faith. The word and the superiority of the word does not get us far in faith if we are not convinced. Mercy deals with a humble spirit to lead others to Christ and the notion of what true mercy is. True mercy begets purity. Preaching and in my case listening to the word faithfully. I must know the word and be an avid student of the word to be faithful in the word. The word can be hard to digest but it is key the results of faithfulness. The results belong to God frees anyone the notion that it is up to me. I only need faithfulness in what the Lord has given to me in people, circumstances, and resources. Am I faithful. I can be faithful if I do not think to much of myself. Am I content, am I inward. (These can be the most convicting.) And if I am doing this right, it will most definitely lead to suffering. Suffering always takes courage and the courage that God gives, always leads to Glory.

So do not be put off that this is only for Pastors but it can be for you. How you can encourage your pastor as well as your faith. Highly recommend.

A Special Thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.