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Servanthood as Worship: The Privilege of Life in a Local Church
Browse a Christian book website or bookstore and notice all there is for leaders and would-be leaders. We are inundated with studies of leaders, keys to leadership, and tips on becoming a leader. But how many books inspire us simply to serve one another? How many books involving servanthood are not tied to leadership and basically about leadership?
The appeal of leadership has hijacked the biblical call to servanthood. As a result, we major on a role that will only ever be held by a few, and we largely ignore a role that ought to be held by every Christian. What ever happened to servanthood?
Servanthood as Worship offers Christians a biblical understanding of their calling to serve in the local church, motivated by the grace that is ours in the gospel. It has the potential to revitalize service teams in churches across the world, from brand new church plants to long-established congregations.
The appeal of leadership has hijacked the biblical call to servanthood. As a result, we major on a role that will only ever be held by a few, and we largely ignore a role that ought to be held by every Christian. What ever happened to servanthood?
Servanthood as Worship offers Christians a biblical understanding of their calling to serve in the local church, motivated by the grace that is ours in the gospel. It has the potential to revitalize service teams in churches across the world, from brand new church plants to long-established congregations.
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2010
17 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 5, 2012
"Can you serve in the nursery this morning?" As you try to pick one of the more plausible excuses that have popped into your head, you secretly hope the pastor's question was theoretical.
With these opening lines Nate Palmer begins our journey into what Christian service is all about in his book, Servanthood as Worship: The Privilege of Life in a Local Church. He seeks to answer the big questions of why, who, and where do we serve.
In the first chapter Nate looks at his own experiences of service and the messed up motives and reasoning that tend to drive us.
My service was like the volume knob on a car stereo - I could amplify God's opinion of me by serving more. If I'd had a bad week, frequently giving in to temptation or not reading the Bible, I would just go to church early and serve. In my mind, the exchange was like one act of service for one sin.
His service eventually went from trying to earn grace, to trying to gain prominence.
Servanthood took on a useful new role - a springboard to leadership in the church.
While we can easily spot his mistakes, how often do we see them in ourselves?
In chapter three, he makes the point that as Christians, the context, the place of finding and contributing our service is with in the organism of the local church. It is here that we can learn to serve one another and grow in Christ-likeness. This is one of his best contributions to the study. So many have written off local church attendance and participation, but Palmer reasons that God has larger goals and purposes in mind for us, in not neglecting the assembling of ourselves together. He is aware of the issues that many bring up concerning church, yet offers this in reply.
The beautiful thing is that God meets us in the mess. People are served in the mess. Ultimately, Christ will redeem the mess. One reason the church is the primary context for serving is because it is where messy people go when they know they need help.
The rest of the book is dedicated to explaining how servanthood is worship, and how we can serve based on what God has done, and continues to do for us. Everything is well written, understandable, and convicting. Many of us, myself included, fail in offering our lives in service to God and others. We simply would rather do what we want to do, as opposed to what God has called us to do. Selfishness and pride, these two sins most often keep us from our role as servants.
Nate Palmer does an excellent job laying out the biblical view of servanthood, in a book that would probably work quite well as a small group study. If only there was someone to step up and lead it....Well look at the time. I'd better get going, much to do you know.
All excerpts from the Kindle edition of Servanthood as Worship: The Privilege of Life in a Local Church
With these opening lines Nate Palmer begins our journey into what Christian service is all about in his book, Servanthood as Worship: The Privilege of Life in a Local Church. He seeks to answer the big questions of why, who, and where do we serve.
In the first chapter Nate looks at his own experiences of service and the messed up motives and reasoning that tend to drive us.
My service was like the volume knob on a car stereo - I could amplify God's opinion of me by serving more. If I'd had a bad week, frequently giving in to temptation or not reading the Bible, I would just go to church early and serve. In my mind, the exchange was like one act of service for one sin.
His service eventually went from trying to earn grace, to trying to gain prominence.
Servanthood took on a useful new role - a springboard to leadership in the church.
While we can easily spot his mistakes, how often do we see them in ourselves?
In chapter three, he makes the point that as Christians, the context, the place of finding and contributing our service is with in the organism of the local church. It is here that we can learn to serve one another and grow in Christ-likeness. This is one of his best contributions to the study. So many have written off local church attendance and participation, but Palmer reasons that God has larger goals and purposes in mind for us, in not neglecting the assembling of ourselves together. He is aware of the issues that many bring up concerning church, yet offers this in reply.
The beautiful thing is that God meets us in the mess. People are served in the mess. Ultimately, Christ will redeem the mess. One reason the church is the primary context for serving is because it is where messy people go when they know they need help.
The rest of the book is dedicated to explaining how servanthood is worship, and how we can serve based on what God has done, and continues to do for us. Everything is well written, understandable, and convicting. Many of us, myself included, fail in offering our lives in service to God and others. We simply would rather do what we want to do, as opposed to what God has called us to do. Selfishness and pride, these two sins most often keep us from our role as servants.
Nate Palmer does an excellent job laying out the biblical view of servanthood, in a book that would probably work quite well as a small group study. If only there was someone to step up and lead it....Well look at the time. I'd better get going, much to do you know.
All excerpts from the Kindle edition of Servanthood as Worship: The Privilege of Life in a Local Church
June 30, 2011
See my full review here: http://cruciformlife.org/book-reviews...
This is an important book. Here are a few reasons why I’m thrilled to recommend it to you:
Palmer has served the Church well by packing a rich biblical theology of service into a small package. He draws from a wealth of Scripture, sound doctrine, and the writings of past and present Bible-soaked teachers to inform our heads, inspire our hearts, and incline our hands to serve.
Palmer focuses on the local church as the context for Christian service. In an age where we are tempted to be consumer Christians who shop around to find the church that “fits us” and “meets our needs,” this book reminds us that we are to focus on how God would use us to build up the body of Christ, not on “what’s in it for me.” As one who is employed by a church, I, too, needed my own attitude adjusted by this gospel-soaked call to service.
Palmer avoids using “shoulds” and “ought tos” to motivate us to serve. He keeps the focus on Jesus as He is offered to us in the gospel, the One who “came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). This book is about Gospel-driven, not guilt-driven service. A friend of mine often says “If you want the fruit of redemption, preach redemption.” Service to God and others is a fruit of redemption, and so Palmer preaches redemption on every page.
This is an important book. Here are a few reasons why I’m thrilled to recommend it to you:
Palmer has served the Church well by packing a rich biblical theology of service into a small package. He draws from a wealth of Scripture, sound doctrine, and the writings of past and present Bible-soaked teachers to inform our heads, inspire our hearts, and incline our hands to serve.
Palmer focuses on the local church as the context for Christian service. In an age where we are tempted to be consumer Christians who shop around to find the church that “fits us” and “meets our needs,” this book reminds us that we are to focus on how God would use us to build up the body of Christ, not on “what’s in it for me.” As one who is employed by a church, I, too, needed my own attitude adjusted by this gospel-soaked call to service.
Palmer avoids using “shoulds” and “ought tos” to motivate us to serve. He keeps the focus on Jesus as He is offered to us in the gospel, the One who “came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). This book is about Gospel-driven, not guilt-driven service. A friend of mine often says “If you want the fruit of redemption, preach redemption.” Service to God and others is a fruit of redemption, and so Palmer preaches redemption on every page.
June 21, 2019
A good chunk of it was just explaining the gospel in depth. Which is fine. Just not what I was looking for when I read the book. It didn't really talk about "servanthood as worship" as much as I thought it would.
February 28, 2022
Read this for my internship at church. Great job hitting on the Gospel and how/why we serve is tied to it. Easy read.
December 4, 2025
This would be a good book to have all church members read in general, and volunteers especially before beginning a role in the life of the church.
June 28, 2011
Such a great read. Water for the soul! It is amazing in our christian walk how we can take the simplest of things and get it turned around. The best part of this book, was the foundation was built on the condition of my heart, what are my motives, whom am I really serving (the King or myself), and why am I serving (for the sake of the gospel). The last part of the book was the work of the holy spirit. Something that I have never comtemplated was Jesus as a Prohpet, (reveals the will of God to us for our salvation by his word and spirit), A priest, (christ offeres himself as a sacrifice) and King (Christ brings us under his power and defends us). Christ continues to serve mankind from heaven by fulfilling each of these positions. This book is a great resource for anyone who is serving, has served and wants to serve. If you loose focus, the gospel centered message will bring you back. If you grow weary, the message of the cross will strengthen you. If you don't know where to start, it teaches how God is glorified when we appreciate God's glorious character and works, adores his presence, and share God's affection towards his people, and subjects itselt to his will.
If you church is looking for a way to encourage your members to serve without guilt, manipulation, but with a heart after God, this is a great resource. Gospel centered, trinity friendly, cross exalting.
If you church is looking for a way to encourage your members to serve without guilt, manipulation, but with a heart after God, this is a great resource. Gospel centered, trinity friendly, cross exalting.
June 8, 2011
My full review can be read here: http://www.bloggingtheologically.com/...
It’s Saturday night and you’ve just enjoyed a great night out. You get ready for bed, your head hits the pillow and you realize:
“Oh man, I’m on set up tomorrow. Ugh…”
I know that there have been times that I’ve felt that way. When I’ve volunteered to serve and can remember when I used to enjoy it… but now, I wish I could call in sick. Nate Palmer understands this—he’s been there. And in Servanthood as Worship, he seeks to help readers develop a theology of service that will bring joy to others (and ourselves) and glory to God...
It’s Saturday night and you’ve just enjoyed a great night out. You get ready for bed, your head hits the pillow and you realize:
“Oh man, I’m on set up tomorrow. Ugh…”
I know that there have been times that I’ve felt that way. When I’ve volunteered to serve and can remember when I used to enjoy it… but now, I wish I could call in sick. Nate Palmer understands this—he’s been there. And in Servanthood as Worship, he seeks to help readers develop a theology of service that will bring joy to others (and ourselves) and glory to God...
December 24, 2013
Why serve God? Some do so out of a misguided attempt to earn His favor, while others work hard to earn the favor of others (or self). Combating these approaches, Palmer portrays service as not done primarily for God but rather from God, as He provides the motivation and power for our good works. In a day when many view service as mundane or meaningless, Palmer offers a helpful encouragement to serve the Lord with gladness.
May 15, 2013
It was just okay. Palmer is writing heavily from a neo-orthodox position, and this influence is seen throughout. The real problem with the book though is focus. The author spends a great deal of time offering introductory understandings of Christian doctrine leaving little time to discuss servanthood as worship. There are however some interesting and helpful insights when Palmer is focused on the subject.
January 17, 2015
Good points on the theology behind why Christians should be servants, especially in the church. This is worship of God and imitation of Christ. He places special emphasis on the eternal importance of work that seems unimportant by temporal standards (such as stacking chairs or serving in the nursery at church).
A pretty basic and straightforward book, helpful, but not very in-depth or inspiring.
A pretty basic and straightforward book, helpful, but not very in-depth or inspiring.
January 16, 2013
This is a good, short book overall. Like other Cruciform Press books, the author draws heavily from familiar classic authors. Helpful for laypeople to really prod their thoughts on service within the church.
January 4, 2013
Very helpful. Shows how worship is connected to everyday life.
December 24, 2012
This is a sound theological book, but it covers no new ground. It is only mildly interesting.
April 18, 2013
Not bad, I thought for a short book it was a little wordy, would be better if it was shortened into a booklet.
October 14, 2014
Really good.
October 29, 2013
Full of insights and biblical foundation of worship :) Great book to help readers understand how we are supposed to act as servant.
August 5, 2014
Great short book on how we should be viewing service in the local church.
November 28, 2016
Doctrine and Practice
I found this a very clear and practical handling of this subject. It is written in way format that will be easy to reference.
I found this a very clear and practical handling of this subject. It is written in way format that will be easy to reference.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews