Kind Reviews of "Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons"
Thabiti Anyabwile Blog | February 10, 2012
It was a great honor and joy to once again work with 9Marks and Crossway Books in writing Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons. Honestly, I can think of tons of brothers better-suited to write a book on finding and being solid elders and deacons. But it was a blessing to attempt to distill some of the practical things the Lord has taught over the last fifteen years serving as an elder in three different settings. I hope the book blesses the Lord's Church. I've been most encouraged by some of the early comments from folks at my own church but also from some reviews around the blogosphere. Here are three blog reviews for the interested:Matt Smethurst at The Gospel Coalition concludes:
Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons isn't a magic bullet solution to the problem of under-qualified leadership that may exist in your church. You won't find "a ten-step process for turning spiritual duds into elder studs" (13). You will, however, find an accessible, practical, and altogether helpful resource for raising up reliable men to lead the blood-bought bride of Christ (Acts 20:28).
Carl Trueman offered an encouraging commendation in "Three Great Books".
Also, Frank Turk at Pyromaniacs offered some words of recommendation:
This is careful and simple book, expressly about the call and qualification of the servants of the church who are also its leaders, and I credit Thabiti for writing it to the church rather than to fellow theologians.
Let me say this about the books in the 9Marks series: Mark Dever's fingerprints are all over these books, and that's not at all a bad thing. Dever's fatherly love for the local congregation comes out from all of these books, but in this book especially. It's funny how much Thabiti doesn't say about the local pastor in this book: there's no chapter on white boarding; there's no chapter on productivity or time management; there are no references to secular business practices. There are no suggestions about how to hear what God's own voice is telling you to do. Selah.
Instead, Thabiti takes Paul's directions for calling Deacons, Elders, and Pastors, and lays them out for us real people to take seriously as God's plan for leading the local church. It's not even 150 pages long, which is to its credit: there is no fluff in here. This is the vernacular theology of how those called to be, as Thabiti says, the waiters in God's church ought to be trained up, and called out, and then serve and see their own service.
Well, that's enough shameless self-promotion. I hope you'll read the book and perhaps share it with many in your church's leadership, prospective leadership, or young men who hope to grow in godliness. I pray it'll be a blessing.
Comments:
February 19, 2012 at 11:30 PM
I bought this through Amazon , for my iPad and read it today. Intended for my husband, though I thought it was a wonderful book! Thought provoking and instructive, honoring to Gods Word completely! Well done and Thank You !!
February 13, 2012 at 02:05 PM
I've been working my way through the section on deacons. I read and then I pray and then I repent. Thank your this book.
February 12, 2012 at 08:35 AM
Saw this article, bought it via Kindle. I'm working through some of this stuff at the moment - we are an old Welsh Baptist church which has had deacons for ages but only started having elders about 10 years ago (so for the majority of the church deacons == elders) and slowly attitudes are changing. Looking forwards to reading this (sadly (*) I have a youth group bible study to prep for tonight...) - shall begin this tomorrow! :)
* you know what I mean!
February 11, 2012 at 08:16 PM
Even though they are really short, I can only digest usually one chapter at a time. They are a great, thorough and practical exegesis. That's all one can ask for.
February 10, 2012 at 04:33 PM
Thabiti,
I just received the book in the mail. I've read half and look forward the rest.
I have it on my heart to move my wonderful church from pastor/staff led to elder led. I have poured much prayer into this. I've gotten to the point of being less afraid of change than I am of staying the same.
Thank you for your published wisdom. I really appreciate the practical and direct orientation of the book. I hope this book sells well (for your benefit) and many get to read it (for the Church's).
David Robinson
March 6, 2012 at 09:30 PM
Thabiti,
Thank you for stewarding your many gifts well. I enjoy your writing and I am currently reading your latest work. It is to the point and piercing. I hope our paths cross again soon!
David Robinson
Austin, TX