Jesus Driven Ministry [Paperback]

Ajith Fernando (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 4, 2007

Author 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 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 help men and women commit themselves afresh to those vital basics of ministry that make for long-term service that is both fruitful and joyful.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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; author, Jesus Among Other Gods

"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, founder, Desiring God Ministries; chancellor, Bethlehem College and Seminary

"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 Senior 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, Disciplines of a Godly Man; Senior Pastor Emeritus, College Church, 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 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

"People who have sensed a divine call become confused about what a minister should be. CEO? Therapist? Visionary? Communicator? Shepherd? 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 the Lord will be honored."
—Greg Waybright, Former President, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Senior Pastor, Lake Avenue Church, Pasadena, California

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Crossway (January 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581348517
• ISBN-13: 978-1581348514
• Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 6.3 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #178,139 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ajith Fernando, ThM, DD, was National Director of Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka for thirty-five years and now serves as its Teaching Director, spending much time mentoring and counseling young Christian workers. He has a worldwide Bible teaching ministry. He studied at Asbury and Fuller Seminaries and is a visiting lecturer at Colombo Theological Seminary. His books have been published in 20 languages.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring study of the Gospel of Mark. December 24, 2003

By Douglas Groothuis VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Ajith Fernando is a native of Sri Lanka and a prolific writer on biblical, apologetic, and cultural themes. Like John Stott, his books are usually organized around the exposition of biblical texts. For example, his excellent work, "Sharing the Truth in Love: How to Relate to People of Other Faiths" (Discovering House Publishers, 2001), follows the structure of Paul's great address to the Athenians in Acts chapter 17. "Jesus Driven Ministry" follows the structure of the Gospel of Mark, but adds many elaborations from other biblical texts and anecdotes from Fernando's active and challenging ministry with Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka. Fernando believes that the way in which Jesus and the disciples practiced ministry remains a model for contemporary Christians in every culture. This is a simple but ultimately radical thesis.

As a Sri Lankan who received his theological training in the United States and who often lectures here (including Denver Seminary), Fernando is privy to cross-cultural and deeply biblical insights that evangelicals need to hear and heed. His fourteen chapters address the following issues in profound ways: the need to identify with the people to whom one ministers, spiritual empowerment for ministry, the importance of recognizing God's affirmation of us in Christ, the significance of retreating from ministry activity periodically, affirming the will of God, being saturated in Scripture for godly ministry, "facing wild animals" (or opponents to ministry); bearing the good news, growing a team of leaders, discipling younger leaders, sending disciples into ministry, ministering to the sick and demon possessed, visiting homes, and prayer. Interestingly, many of these obviously biblical and deeply pertinent themes receive scant attention in contemporary evangelical books on leadership and ministry. Or, if the matters are addressed, they are often broached without close attention to how Jesus and his first disciples conducted themselves. Business models may even usupt biblical patterns of ministry. But Fernando's great strength is plumbing the depths of the biblical narrative, illustrating its themes from great biographies and from his own active life, and developing sensible-if not always comfortable-advice for ministry.

While never acerbic and always wisely pastoral, Fernando is critical of many contemporary models of church growth and outreach that he takes to be sub-biblical or even anti-biblical because they stress sociological methodology over biblical strategies. One such passage deserves full quotation. "We are seeing more and more people today who are moved to churches `where they feel more comfortable.' When did comfort become such a high value in ministry and church life? Was it when we left the path of biblical Christianity? The gospel is too radical and the needs of the world too urgent for us to ever be comfortable! But many Christians today have come to think that a major goal of the church is to entertain people and supply them with services that they want, such as a good youth program or music program. In such an environment, we are going to see people moving to churches where they are comfortable. The result will be that churches are going to miss out on some vital sources of enrichment through discomfort. They will become unhealthy by missing out on biblical wholeness. Biblical churches always are uncomfortable places because they are always looking for biblical wholeness" (page 197).

This is merely a small taste of the large wisdom of this timely and insightful book. I urge every Christian leader to read it prayerfully and thoughtfully and to apply its lessons to life. Then go read all of Mr. Fernando's other books!

Douglas Groothuis, Denver Seminary

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful but not Essential April 12, 2006

By Justin Childers

Format:Hardcover

This book is helpful but not essential. I picked up this book for a few reasons: 1) Most of the new stuff I read is by Americans. It was refreshing to read someone who has a different perspective. 2) I have heard Ajith's sermons in connection with John Piper's conferences. I wanted to learn more from him since I benefited greatly from the sermons. 3) The concept of modeling our ministry after Jesus is much needed today. The church is modeling ministry in a thousand different ways. We should get back to following Christ!

My basic review: Helpful but not essential. While I do not agree with everything in the book, I do think it is fantastic and would heartily recommend it to anyone. However, it is in no way essential pastoral reading. Basically, Ajith Fernando takes the gospel of Mark and pulls out key elements of Jesus' ministry. He identifies 14 different characteristics in Jesus' ministry and writes a chapter on each one. Honestly, the chapter titles are the most helpful part of the book. Fernando has served us by identifying these characteristics and listing them for us. The chapters are basically topical discussions on these characteristics.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book January 24, 2013

By Andy01

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Very helpful advice on keeping a Christ focused ministry. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to sharing the author's advice with others.