Ministry is hard work, and requires that one be growing in an abiding relationship with Jesus, otherwise they will burn out. In his new book Sensing Jesus Life and Ministry as a Human Being seasoned Pastor and Professor Zack Eswine writes about recovering Christians humanity in Jesus as those who are called to lead others in ministry. This book takes a candid behind-the-scenes look at the pressures to do everything at once, while also seeking to recover a stamina for doing the small things, unnoticed and over the long haul.
The book detailed Dr. Eswine’s own failures, burnout and pain, all the while addressing the complexities of leadership decisions, church discipline and family dynamics. This book is part pastoral theology and part autobiography and offers readers a fresh and biblically faithful approach to the care of souls, including your own.
Sensing Jesus is not the kind of book that you just read through quickly but rather want to linger long on, as the authors purpose is to make you think hard about Jesus and their own lives. The author writes about the purpose for this book, “I believe that Christian life and ministry are an apprenticeship with Jesus toward recovering our humanity and, through his Spirit helping our neighbors do the same. All of this is for, through, by, with, and in him for the glory of God” (20). The book has two parts: first exposing our temptations, and second examining our mentoring.
Zach does a brilliant job in this book not pointing to himself, but to the grace of God that is molding and changing him. In my experience it is rare for a book on pastoral ministry to be not only theologically deep but also personal. Thankfully this book fills that void as the author writes not just to give practical tips about ministry but to share about the life-changing gospel. This book would be a great addition to the library of any Pastor or teacher who doesn’t have it all figured out but wants to grow in the grace of God. To those who want to leave a legacy of knowing and serving the Lord Jesus, I highly commend this book to you and sincerely pray the Lord will use it to minister to many Pastors and ministry leaders who are burnt out and needing to be encouraging in their work for the work of Jesus.
Title: Sensing Jesus: Life and Ministry as a Human Being
Author: Zack Eswine
Publisher: Crossway (2012)
Disclose Of Material Connection: I received this book free from Crossway books as part of their blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: : “Guides Concerning The Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
