Reading Report – Ministry Staff Member
Major Theme
The major theme or goal of Ministry Staff Member by Fagerson is to demonstrate a clear
responsibilities of all kinds of ministry staff members and to encourage the body of Christ as a
whole through these avenues of ministry.
Summary
This book separates its contents into seven different sections. The first one dives into
what it looks like to establish your ministry identity. It starts with the beginning of a new
ministry, defining and communicating Biblical values and mission, and providing practical ways
to create personal and ministry objectives. It talks about the benefits to evaluation, and to build
encouragement and unity through redefining the nonpaid staff member. Part 2 focuses on
becoming a servant. This kind of attitude must be approached intentionally. It talks about
different styles of leadership and how to determine which one yours is. Also mentioned are
healthy motives and agendas, healthy boundaries, and Biblical accountability.
Part three of the book talks about practical decisions and responses to how the ministry
will run. These include making wise decisions, dealing with conflict, and responding after any
kind of failure. It continues with a chapter on developing a plan for lifelong learning. The next
section is all about serving others and working with different leaders and volunteers. Also
discussed is delegating responsibility to others. Part five is all about leaving a legacy and
personal growth. Subjects touched on here are building Godly character and mentorship. The
book talks about preparing for major changes and finishing well. Part six is all about managing
life and ministry. The management categories discussed involve time, money, difficult
relationships, and overload. The book closes with practical advice for senior and governing
leaders. This includes hiring and de-hiring staff members, honoring and building an effective
team, and working with different kinds of staff members. Overall, this book provides a wide
range of directions for every category of ministry staff, providing examples and insights that will
help out each and every reader.
Strengths
The biggest strength of Ministry Staff Member is its versatile and broad discussion of
staff membership, encompassing every single area. It dives into nearly every scenario you must
prepare for, from before to after ministry is started. This book produces well-organized thoughts,
allowing the sections to be properly understood and internalized by the readers in a way that will
help them in their ministry journey. The usage of scripture in this book was very admirable and
provided the most important source of wisdom that can be found. Additionally, his book properly
defines all of its terms and then dives into practical examples. It even recommends additional
reading for anyone interested in diving deeper into a specific concept.
Weaknesses
A weakness of this book is as a reader, I found it difficult to separate the necessary
information from the information that might not be as relevant. Preparing for so many different
scenarios overwhelmed my brain just a bit. Another example of this is all the different “boxes”
that were on nearly every page. To focus on this information, I had to divert to the main text, and
Quotes
“Go to people. Don’t wait for them to come to you” (25).
“There are no quick routes to trust; earning it is the result of lifelong investments” (26).
“Be the leader who listens to the people” (41).
“The major focus of your ministry is people” (48).
“Christian leadership begins by “washing people’s feet.” It starts by serving” (62).
“Accountability begins with you” (83).
“Actively give the conflict to God” (120).
“A plan for spiritual formation begs for that one godly person to journey with us” (132).
when I got back to the main text, I could not remember what was important about what I had
been reading.
Principles for Application to Ministry
Before even mentioning a specific principle, I want to note how much information I
gained from reading this book. It encompassed the entirety of preparing for ministry, and
expanded my knowledge beyond what it originally was. I learned important principles of
leadership, and the way that leadership differs in a ministry context. There are many principles
about spiritual formation and development that I will be implementing into my life even now.
Principles about boundaries also increased my knowledge. Understanding these boundaries when
listening and leading will help allow my ministry to flourish. The most important principle I was
reminded of was that of a disciplined relationship with God, walking in spiritual disciplines. He
alone is the reason and the foundation for all ministry.
“Ask yourself: Who in my life imitates the person of Christ more than anyone else I know?” (132).
“Giving away responsibility implies giving away authority” (169).
“It is hard to lead others in prayer if you are not experiencing a vital prayer life. It is hard to teach
the Bible if you are not a student of God’s Word” (180).
“We can become so absorbed in the minutiae of ministry that what we do only affects today, with
little regard for tomorrow” (209).
“A capable leader should seek to spend more than 50 percent of his or her time listening to
people” (216).
