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Scripture-focused advice on honesty, honour, preaching, leadership and mission to help weary leaders renew their love for ministry.
Being a pastor is hard. Whether it’s relational difficulties in the congregation, growing opposition toward the church as an institution, or just the struggle to continue in ministry with joy and faithfulness, the pressure on leaders can be truly overwhelming. It’s no surprise that pastors are burned out, tempted to give up, or think they’re going crazy.
While we’re quick to assert what the gospel says, we’re often too slow to admit what the gospel should do for our churches: reflect Christ’s beauty through a godly, grace-filled culture.
In this practical guide, seasoned pastors Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry help weary leaders renew their love for ministry by equipping them to build a gospel-centred culture into every aspect of their churches. Emphasising the importance of healthy doctrine, they explain that failing to also nurture a healthy culture can be frustrating, polarising, and even unbiblical. This encouraging guide features Scripture-focused advice on honesty, honour, preaching, leadership, and mission to support leaders and help them regain a beautiful, Christ-centred vision for their ministries.
Foreword by Russell Moore
Introduction
Chapter 1: What Is Gospel Culture, and Why Does It Matter?
Chapter 2: Open the Doors, Open Your Heart: A Culture of Gospel Welcome
Chapter 3: Come into the Light: A Culture of Gospel Honesty
Chapter 4: See the Glory!: A Culture of Gospel Honor
Chapter 5: Let Christ Preach: A Culture of Gospel Invitation
Chapter 6: Leave Behind Lord-It-Over Leadership: A Culture Guided by Gentle Shepherds
Chapter 7: Make Your Church’s Love Obvious: A Culture Fueled by Renewal and Mission
Conclusion
Afterword by Clark Lowenfield
Acknowledgements
| Contributors | Ray Ortlund, Sam Allberry, Russell D. Moore |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781433590573 |
| Format | Paperback |
| First published | October 2023 |
| Dimensions | 133mm x 203mm x 12mm |
| Weight | 0.19 kg |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 176 |
| Publisher | Crossway |
From the very first episode of the You’re Not Crazy podcast, I was hooked. The overarching theme of the podcast, and now the book, is this: gospel doctrine is meant to produce gospel culture through which the church shines forth the beauty of Christ. I have come to embrace that message wholeheartedly and am thankful that Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry have made it accessible to all through this book. If you’re currently leading a church or ministry, or planning to do so in the future, this book is for you.
This is the most important book I’ve read this year. You’re Not Crazy is written for pastors, ministry leaders, and followers of Jesus who not only believe the gospel but also desire to experience good news in their everyday life and work. The grace of God should shape not merely our theology but also our experience within our churches. This is exactly what Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry do through these biblically rich and deeply practical chapters. This book is refreshment for those who are weary, renewal for those who are disenchanted, clarity for those who are frustrated with the present state of the church, and rocket fuel for those who refuse to bow to the tribalism and outrage addiction of our times. Here you will find the kind of Christianity that every follower of Jesus longs deep down to experience. Read it slowly. Read it annually.
A church that lacks gospel culture will undermine its gospel preaching. A gospel culture welcomes messed-up people to stumble toward glory together, knowing that God’s grace is their only hope. You’re Not Crazy is an invitation for Christians and churches to press past the confusion of our day and experience the beauty of Jesus’s grace together. I highly commend this work.
