The challenging nature and unpredictable seasons of the ministry underscore the desirable place of a predictably reliable pastor whose faith is grounded by God’s Word, whose hope in Christ holds cynicism at bay, and whose love for the flock enables him to savor God’s blessings among them. It is true, as C. S. Lewis says, that we should not draw hasty conclusions to our own advantage when God blesses us (especially when others are sent to defend far more desperate posts in the great battle). But as Bredenhof reminds us, neither should we despise the day of small things. He details an unpretentious ministry of the faithful pastor who is there for his people and the thoughtful pastor who knows why he is there: one who accordingly listens carefully, prays and opens God’s Word thoughtfully, and remembers constantly. There is much wise counsel in these pages for both the newly initiated pastor and the well-seasoned pastor. Both need encouragement to be faithful, even “in a very little,” which makes ample room for the gracious work of God, who is much in faithfulness.
Dr. Reuben Bredenhof offers great encouragement to the faithful pastor who is tempted to grow “weary in well-doing.” In its thoughtful, biblical, succinct, and practical insights, the nearly spent shepherd of Christ’s sheep will discover a friendly fount of blessing to refresh his challenging yet necessary role as the physician of souls. A daily dose of The Ministry of Small Things will prove to be a month’s sabbatical for pastors on the frontlines of ministry.
What’s the first item in a pastor’s job description? Preach the Word. Beyond that? We might list a number of items, but a crucial one is pastoral care. For that, you’ll find Bredenhof’s book uniquely helpful and insightful. I’ve not read one like it, and I would strongly encourage every elder to read it. What’s especially pertinent is how the book envisions the pastor not as a showman, a late-night television host, or a business visionary but as a biblical shepherd who works to know and live with his flock. Behind this book is an overall vision of ministry that needs to be recovered by many today.
The ordinary is seldom in vogue. Yet faithful pastoral ministry is forged in the crucible of small, ordinary, powerful moments of faithfulness—the Puritans would have called them “holy habits”—done in faith in the presence of God (coram Deo) and for his glory (soli Deo gloria). Like compound interest, such habits snowball in impact over the long-term. They are much like the barely visible yeast that makes all the difference in a loaf of bread. With seasoned pastoral skill, Dr. Bredenhof shepherds his fellow shepherds, catechizing them in these simple but eternally valuable habits of a faithful ministry: Loving the sheep. Praying with the sheep. Listening to the sheep. Showing up for the sheep. Private ministry—or house-to-house ministry, as Paul calls it—complements the public ministry of Word and sacrament. In the kingdom of God, the least is the greatest. And so it is in the rhythms of pastoral life: Often the smallest acts of faithfulness have the greatest impact, and, like the cup of cold water given in faith, lead to the greatest eternal reward. Here is a manual of faithful shepherding—not in the limelight or the ivory tower but in the trenches of daily ministry. Every pastor would do well to heed the wise counsel contained in these pages.
Bredenhof has done aspiring, young, and older pastors a favor by reminding them of the many mundane moments of ministry that are essential to the pastoral office and calling. This book will not weigh you down with guilt or shame, because Bredenhof’s tone emanates from a place of deep humility. He reminds you who the Chief Shepherd of the sheep is: Jesus, the Lamb of God, who cares more for you and his flock than you ever could. Read to be equipped—but, better, to be encouraged!
