Rating: 
Summary: Brothers We Are Not Professionals
Review: After reading one of the reviews that claimed this work was not radical, I had to add my two cents worth. The entire text is radical if actually put into use. But Chapters 4-7 are life transforming. Not that it is entirely new stuff, but as is John Piper's gift, he gives us (pastoral workers and hungry Christians of all callings) new ways of seeing. The chapter on the "begger mentality" is worth all the treasures of earth. I have already given it to a young man pursuing seminary.
Greg Bailey
Rating:
Summary: Brothers We Are Not Professionals
Review: After reading one of the reviews that claimed this work was not radical, I had to add my two cents worth. The entire text is radical if actually put into use. But Chapters 4-7 are life transforming. Not that it is entirely new stuff, but as is John Piper's gift, he gives us (pastoral workers and hungry Christians of all callings) new ways of seeing. The chapter on the "begger mentality" is worth all the treasures of earth. I have already given it to a young man pursuing seminary.
Greg Bailey
Rating: 
Summary: Not so radical
Review: Don't get me wrong, this book has plenty of good stuff in it. However, it is hardly an exhortation to for radical pastoral ministry that departs from a professional mentality. I kept reading this book anticipating I'd eventually read something radical... but never did. Because of this, reading the book was often very painful. Because of this, I rate it as low as I do with only 2 stars.As Leonard Ravenhill? said: we would not think many ministers to be great if they were not announced to us as so. Fact of the matter is, many would not think this book to be "radical" if it were not presented to us as so. Very little of this book even really touches on the issue of "professionals." Nothing really radical here. Some good exhortations in general, but there are better. Don't give amazon.com your money for this book.
Rating:
Summary: Not so radical
Review: Don't get me wrong, this book has plenty of good stuff in it. However, it is hardly an exhortation to for radical pastoral ministry that departs from a professional mentality. I kept reading this book anticipating I'd eventually read something radical... but never did. Because of this, reading the book was often very painful. Because of this, I rate it as low as I do with only 2 stars. As Leonard Ravenhill? said: we would not think many ministers to be great if they were not announced to us as so. Fact of the matter is, many would not think this book to be "radical" if it were not presented to us as so. Very little of this book even really touches on the issue of "professionals." Nothing really radical here. Some good exhortations in general, but there are better. Don't give amazon.com your money for this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Piper's Guide to Pastoring
Review: First off, the title is all wrong. Even Piper admits that there may be problems with the title, and there are. For one thing, like it or not, it's a fact that there are many "sisters" in the ministry. Despite the fact that the author doesn't think that's necessarily biblical, should he alienate a good portion of his intended readership, thereby depriving the churches they serve of his wisdom, by not only putting "Brothers" in the title but in each and every chapter heading? I'm no feminist, but it's time to enter the 21st century. Next, here's a question: Are you making your living, or a good portion of it, by serving in the ministry? If you answered yes, guess what? YOU'RE A PROFESSIONAL BY DEFINITION. The author himself may not call himself a professional, but he is. There goes the validity of the title. Once the title's out of the way, there is some good stuff here, valuable for those in pulpit ministry or for those aspiring to that end (I am in the latter category). Of course, every pastor has his or her own priorities, and what is in this book are the priorities of the author, but a good dose of Piper can be a corrective when a minister veers off track. Piper is well known for his doctrine of "Christian Hedonism", which gets a short explanation in this book. Although not everyone will buy into that doctrine, it is quite biblical, and if one can impart the essence of it to one's congregation, the Christian life will become for them a delight rather than a duty. The centrality of the doctrine of justification by faith is emphasized, as well. Other valuable insights: don't be afraid of difficult Bible passages, learn to read the Bible in its original languages, and be fearless when it comes to combatting the evils of racism and abortion. All in all, a very good book for both brothers AND sisters in the ministry.
Rating: 
Summary: Some great insights
Review: I have to agree with the reviewer who commented on the sexist title. Those of us who agree with Piper that there are some unique roles for men and women, still understand that women are called to Christian ministry, even if we do not believe they should be leading churches. In Australia some of our complementarian churches have several female ministers, leading women's ministries, etc. The title is unnecessarily offensive to those women. I also agree with the people who pointed out that the book has little to say about its title, excepting for one chapter. Maybe it should be retitled "Christian Leaders, We Are Not Professionals, and other articles." There is not really anything new here, as the articles, or something like them, have appeared on the Desiring God website, or in other books. However, the book does contain some excellent articles. Some of those I have enjoyed include: Brothers, Bitzer Was a Banker, which is an apology for continuing to study the biblical languages. Brothers, Show Your People Why God Inspired Hard Texts Brothers, Save the Saints The article on not writing teetotalism into the church covenant [but then more or less insisting on it anyway] is a curious one. I find it hard to see how he has avoided legalism, as he thinks he has. When the bible clearly teaches us to enjoy God's good gift of wine, but also unambiguously tells us not to overindulge, to argue for teetotalism seems to me to be thinking you are wiser than God. With these qualifications, I recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Ho Hum
Review: If the maxim is true that, "common sense is an uncommon gift," then Pastor John Piper is an exceedingly rare gift to the Protestant wing of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. He can be contentious. He [is not fair in his opinions]. His myopic view of how God works in history too often denies the possibility that God might work through anything except Holy Scripture and the fellowship of the Church. His radical commitment to second and third article concerns is purchased at the expense of an under-developed and weak first article theology. In his world, ecumenical ministry does not include Roman Catholic or Orthodox ties. Still, Pastor Piper does raise a number of day-to-day concerns that deserve the attention of all ordained clergy. The real weakness in Pastor Piper's book is not his conservative view of the world, the Church or Holy Scripture. Nor, is the problem that Pastor Piper is so in love with Jesus that he fails to make much of a place in his stated theology for God: the Father. Rather, the problem is that Pastor Piper wastes his talents. He is a lazy author. Possessing strong cognitive skills, Pastor Piper wastes his abilities to state such obvious claims as pastors should pray (p. 53), pastors should read (p. 89), pastors should stand against racism (p. 197), pastors should be concerned about worship (p. 229), and (MALE) pastors should love their wives (p. 245). WELL, DUH... Mediocrity triumphs, again. While the issues that Pastor Piper raises deserve the attention of all ordained clergy, they do not necessarily deserve a book. Pastor Piper has produced a document worthy of a first year seminarian, not an experienced leader of the Church. Once again, beautiful trees were cut down and processed into paper in order to make an ugly book.
Rating:
Summary: Ho Hum
Review: If the maxim is true that, "common sense is an uncommon gift," then Pastor John Piper is an exceedingly rare gift to the Protestant wing of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. He can be contentious. He [is not fair in his opinions]. His myopic view of how God works in history too often denies the possibility that God might work through anything except Holy Scripture and the fellowship of the Church. His radical commitment to second and third article concerns is purchased at the expense of an under-developed and weak first article theology. In his world, ecumenical ministry does not include Roman Catholic or Orthodox ties. Still, Pastor Piper does raise a number of day-to-day concerns that deserve the attention of all ordained clergy. The real weakness in Pastor Piper's book is not his conservative view of the world, the Church or Holy Scripture. Nor, is the problem that Pastor Piper is so in love with Jesus that he fails to make much of a place in his stated theology for God: the Father. Rather, the problem is that Pastor Piper wastes his talents. He is a lazy author. Possessing strong cognitive skills, Pastor Piper wastes his abilities to state such obvious claims as pastors should pray (p. 53), pastors should read (p. 89), pastors should stand against racism (p. 197), pastors should be concerned about worship (p. 229), and (MALE) pastors should love their wives (p. 245). WELL, DUH... Mediocrity triumphs, again. While the issues that Pastor Piper raises deserve the attention of all ordained clergy, they do not necessarily deserve a book. Pastor Piper has produced a document worthy of a first year seminarian, not an experienced leader of the Church. Once again, beautiful trees were cut down and processed into paper in order to make an ugly book.
Rating:
Summary: Not Radical? Then Let's live this way.
Review: It made me sick to read the other reviews of this book by people who most likely struggle in the areas that Piper is calling all Pastors to engage more radically in. Like prayer, reading, etc... If more of us pastors lived our lives devoted to prayer and reading of scripture we would certainly make a mark on this world. Unfortunately most of us don't have the robust, dare I say "radical" faith that Piper calls us to and so we take our spot on the powerless sidelines of the cultural dialogue. Piper is calling us to something great if we only lived what we believe about prayer and scripture then maybe we would be empowered to engage and penetrate our hurting world. But I suppose this to will sound trite and simple to those with no character. Let's buck up, get on our horse and live like Jesus, This is what Piper is calling us to, Highly Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Not Radical? Then Let's live this way.
Review: It made me sick to read the other reviews of this book by people who most likely struggle in the areas that Piper is calling all Pastors to engage more radically in. Like prayer, reading, etc... If more of us pastors lived our lives devoted to prayer and reading of scripture we would certainly make a mark on this world. Unfortunately most of us don't have the robust, dare I say "radical" faith that Piper calls us to and so we take our spot on the powerless sidelines of the cultural dialogue. Piper is calling us to something great if we only lived what we believe about prayer and scripture then maybe we would be empowered to engage and penetrate our hurting world. But I suppose this to will sound trite and simple to those with no character. Let's buck up, get on our horse and live like Jesus, This is what Piper is calling us to, Highly Recommended.
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