Servant Ministry: A Portrait of Christ and a Pattern for His Followers
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Servanthood is something to which all believers are called, not just those in full-time ministry. This means that understanding what servanthood means is vital for the health and well-being of local churches. Every member needs to appreciate their role as a servant of God. At the same time, the principles of servant leadership provide an essential framework for those called specifically to the work of the church, whether at home or overseas. Servant Ministry offers a practical exposition of the first ‘Servant Song’ in Isaiah (42:1-9). Writing from many years of Christian teaching and mentoring, Tony Horsfall applies insights drawn from the Isaiah passage to topics such as the motivation for service and the call to serve; valid expressions of servanthood and the link between evangelism and social action; character formation and what it means to be a servant; how to keep going over the long haul in the harsh realities of ministry; the importance of listening to God on a daily basis and also over a whole lifetime.
This is a Logos Reader Edition. Learn more.
- Bases its message on the first Servant Song in Isaiah (42:1-9)
- Holds that Christian leadership is synonymous with servant leadership
- Seeks to explain the meaning of the text and apply its teaching to the biblical theme of servanthood
- Behold my servant
- Emptied and humbled
- Chosen and loved
- Servants one and all
- The Spirit upon him
- Justice, the suffering servant and the law of God
- Justice, the compassionate servant and the needs of the world
- The servant as leader
- Humility, and the danger of pride
- Gentleness, and the temptations of power
- Faithfulness, and the challenge of pain
- The God who speaks
- God’s presence to reassure
- God’s protection to guard
- God’s purpose to guide
- Listening and responding
The Servant’s identity
The Servant’s calling
The Servant’s character
The Servant’s confidence
The Servant’s attentiveness
Tony Horsfall’s book on Servant Ministry is at once an inspirational, devotional book and simultaneously a deeply challenging one. On the one hand it is very readable, accessible and easy to digest but, as soon as you apply the principles and determine action points for life, then the depth of content becomes highly apparent.
Although it springboards from Isaiah 42, it dances throughout all of the Scriptures to provide a comprehensive overview of servanthood in the Bible. It shows that our concept of servanthood is culturally conditioned and colours our view of the above passages. We are challenged to shift from our western hierarchical perspective to one honouring the value and purpose of the one who serves.
In addition to challenging our personal beliefs and behaviours, it also brings a fresh view of Christ, encouraging a deeper relationship with Him who served gladly and without reluctance. As we model ourselves on the Jesus shown beautifully in the Servant Song, I was personally confronted with the need to lay aside more of me. Whilst challenging, it is also encouraging, reminding us of the unconditional love of God. Though relevant to all Christians, it particularly provides a challenging fresh perspective on Christian leadership, which is greatly needed.
--Hannah Prosser: Co-Director - HASMissions, Member Care Team Leader - AOG Missions Team
First published in 2013, Servant Ministry is Tony Horsfall’s exploration of the meaning of servanthood in the first servant song from Isaiah. Making good use of a wide range of other Biblical references, the author demonstrates that Christ is the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Servant Ministry helps the reader to reflect on the words of Isaiah 42:1-9 and also to sit with and understand the true servant nature of Christ.
As another reviewer has observed, this is not a book to read in one sitting. Indeed, the short chapters make it digestible and aid the devotional approach which Tony Horsfall suggests. By using non-academic language, he presents a thorough analysis of what the Bible has to say about servanthood and how Christ is the Servant, the chosen one. Exploring the origins of servanthood (including the Old Testament understanding of slavery) and the concept that one is a servant not only to superiors but to other people, the book also considers how, as servants, we are to prepare others for servanthood. Tony Horsfall also makes the link between servanthood and justice, suffering, compassion and gentleness. ‘Here is the heart of servanthood,’ he writes, ‘the selfless giving of oneself to meet the needs of others.’
The chapter on ‘The servant as leader’ is especially powerful and provocative; equally perceptive and helpful is the chapter on’ Humility, and the danger of pride’. The author also addresses the abusive nature of power and how this is often caused by insecure leaders who get carried away by their own success but are seldom challenged. The actuality of pain and suffering for those who are servant leaders is also sensitively acknowledged. ‘The best leaders are servants at heart, and service, rather than position or power, is their starting point.’The final sections explore how God speaks in different ways, how he provides a reassuring, protective hand and how he guides us: helpful reminders for those times when lose sight of who we are in God.
‘Confidence in ministry is not self-confidence; it is confidence in our relationship with God and in his ability to sustain us.’ Although focusing on those whose ministry is in a church or Christian setting there is much which could be taken from this book and applied in secular environments.
--Richard Frost is the author of Life with St Benedict and writes a blog at workrestpray.com
- Title: Servant Ministry: A Portrait of Christ and a Pattern for His Followers
- Author: Tony Horsfall
- Publisher: Bible Reading Fellowship
- Print Publication Date: 2019
- Pages: 160
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- ISBNs: 9780857468864, 9780857469380, 0857468863, 085746938X
- Resource ID: LLS:SRVNTMNSTFLLWRS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-10-03T06:44:00Z
Tony Horsfall is a freelance trainer and retreat leader, whose work regularly takes him around the world. He has written a number of books for BRF, including Mentoring for Spiritual Growth, Working from a Place of Rest and Rhythms of Grace. He also contributes to New Daylight Bible reading notes.