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The Heart of a Servant Leader: Letters from Jack Miller
These letters by a seasoned, influential pastor address a variety of ministry issues, as well as physical suffering, overcoming sin, learning to forgive, spiritual warfare, etc. We learn that a leader should be the chief servant and that right attitudes come only from a heart changed by an encounter with God.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2004
143 people are currently reading
500 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
June 19, 2017
Dear Jack,
I have just been blessed to read the most remarkable book entitled The Heart of a Servant Leader (2004), which is a collection of letters you wrote during your ministry. Your daughter Barbara saw fit to edit this volume of your correspondence into this volume. We should be thankful to God for her editorial gift. But I wanted to write to you thanking you for your deeply pastoral heart. I had heard of reputation from other Christian teachers and was eager to read what you had to write. In your letters, I discovered a man who loved the gospel and who sought to glorify God and love people. I deeply appreciated the transparency with which you wrote to the people you came into contact with. Further, your commitment to dependence upon prayer is palpable throughout your writings. I am eager to recommend your letters to all who are willing to consider them. You communicate how deeply in the grip of the grace of Christ you are and I long for other believers to see that as well.
I know that you are now with the Father, but I pray that God will raise up a generation of disciples who will love others warmly and worship God fervently. I am pleased to commend this book to anyone seeking to that end.
I have just been blessed to read the most remarkable book entitled The Heart of a Servant Leader (2004), which is a collection of letters you wrote during your ministry. Your daughter Barbara saw fit to edit this volume of your correspondence into this volume. We should be thankful to God for her editorial gift. But I wanted to write to you thanking you for your deeply pastoral heart. I had heard of reputation from other Christian teachers and was eager to read what you had to write. In your letters, I discovered a man who loved the gospel and who sought to glorify God and love people. I deeply appreciated the transparency with which you wrote to the people you came into contact with. Further, your commitment to dependence upon prayer is palpable throughout your writings. I am eager to recommend your letters to all who are willing to consider them. You communicate how deeply in the grip of the grace of Christ you are and I long for other believers to see that as well.
I know that you are now with the Father, but I pray that God will raise up a generation of disciples who will love others warmly and worship God fervently. I am pleased to commend this book to anyone seeking to that end.
January 3, 2018
We read this as a church staff and discussed it over the course of several months.
I enjoyed this book a lot and was particularly convicted by Miller's commitment to prayer and his overall humility in pastoral ministry and leadership. Just the sheer volume of letters that he wrote to friends, family, and partners in ministry around the world throughout his ministry speaks to his pastoral care. Central to these traits was a deep love for Christ and keeping the gospel central in his life and ministry. Miller demonstrates a lot of wisdom in handling and communicating with individuals in a number of situations and often times conflict.
While I don't agree with everything that Miller holds to or affirms in this book I was encouraged and hope to grow in lots of ways that Miller displays Christlikeness through these letters.
I enjoyed this book a lot and was particularly convicted by Miller's commitment to prayer and his overall humility in pastoral ministry and leadership. Just the sheer volume of letters that he wrote to friends, family, and partners in ministry around the world throughout his ministry speaks to his pastoral care. Central to these traits was a deep love for Christ and keeping the gospel central in his life and ministry. Miller demonstrates a lot of wisdom in handling and communicating with individuals in a number of situations and often times conflict.
While I don't agree with everything that Miller holds to or affirms in this book I was encouraged and hope to grow in lots of ways that Miller displays Christlikeness through these letters.
January 29, 2020
Outstanding. Jack Miller never fails to put some fire into my heart when I'm cold, and to throw cold water on me when I'm half asleep. He confronts me again and again with the grand cause of the gospel, namely reaching all peoples with the self-sacrificing, life-giving message of Christ and Him crucified. The real issue however is what we do with this.
November 16, 2022
This collection of letters from the ministry of C. John Miller is Christ-centered and wonderfully practical. I've never read a book of pastoral letters, so this was uniquely inspiring to me. In our age of instant communication letter writing can be an effective way to say you care about someone.
"The Devil can be pretty tricky. He doesn't mind you thinking much about repentance and faith if you do not think about Jesus Christ. He wants you to worry a great deal about whether you have truly repented. Examining yourself is fine—if you relate it to the cross and Christ's love for you. But the point of my little book is that any sorrow for sin apart from Christ is not going to help you. So don't even seek sorrow for sin or to see whether your repentance is genuine. Seek Christ, and relate to Christ as a loving Savior and Lord who wants to invite you to know Him."
"The Devil can be pretty tricky. He doesn't mind you thinking much about repentance and faith if you do not think about Jesus Christ. He wants you to worry a great deal about whether you have truly repented. Examining yourself is fine—if you relate it to the cross and Christ's love for you. But the point of my little book is that any sorrow for sin apart from Christ is not going to help you. So don't even seek sorrow for sin or to see whether your repentance is genuine. Seek Christ, and relate to Christ as a loving Savior and Lord who wants to invite you to know Him."
October 20, 2021
A book that strengthend my prayer life substantially and set a helpful precedent for my conversations with my brothers and sisters. How to share my struggles and needs while being edifying and encouraging them in ther own walk with Christ.
March 16, 2015
Miller is an inspiration in so many ways. His letters often remind me of the apostle Paul's writings. He is clear about the gospel. He is full of such affection for the people he writes to. It is evident that that affection translates into regular heart-felt prayer. He is also very honest about his own failings, quick to admit them even if the people he is writing to have wronged him in far worse ways. He is not afraid of telling people when they are in the wrong but does it with such grace and gentleness that there is never any doubt about his good intentions and his love for them.
A friend of mine uses this book like a how-to manual for pastoring.
Very good read!
A friend of mine uses this book like a how-to manual for pastoring.
Very good read!
November 11, 2014
Love this book. Miller was able to correct people and build them up at the same time. He showed a deep genuine love for all the people he ministers to in these letters. I found this very encouraging and convicting. This was a refreshing read.
July 19, 2021
I can’t say enough good things about this book - it was so instructive and encouraging. Miller’s love, gentleness, warmth, and honesty towards people is truly rare. He beautifully models the love that we should have for our brothers and sisters while making the reader love Christ even more.
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November 21, 2025Part 1 was probably my favorite. His letters were so pastoral, caring and loving, I enjoyed reading them and getting a taste of his love for the missionaries through ultimately his love for Christ and Him being known and glorified to the nations.
October 8, 2022
Jack Miller has become a great encouragement to me. Although he went to be with the Lord over 25 years ago, his books and letters are an inspiration. I love the way he focuses on faith, repentance, and the need to look at Christ.
As with the letters of Thomas Charles, John Newton, and other men of old, this is a modern father in the faith. Well worth reading.
As with the letters of Thomas Charles, John Newton, and other men of old, this is a modern father in the faith. Well worth reading.
May 8, 2023
These letters speak the truth in love. Sometime the truth hurts, but it is always gospel truth that is intended to hurt pride and bring about humility and love. There is a lot of wisdom to be found in these pages. Wisdom on leadership, church planting, conflict resolution, missionary work, repentance and a whole lot more.
December 10, 2023
Great book blessed my soul. Letters written to church leaders and missionaries in the heat of the battle against satan. Jack does a really good job at showing how a true child of God repents and know that they are children. How suffering brings out fears and sins and helps God to give you a new freedom. A brilliant book
April 17, 2020
This book is packed with gospel-forged wisdom! Encouraged me immensely amidst the roller coaster of ministry.
May 18, 2022
What a humbling and convicting book. This felt like a 4 star book in comparison to other books of practical theology, but after feeling the Spirits conviction on my heart after every letter it seemed like 10 stars would be more appropriate. I really needed this one.
December 19, 2025
To be read slowly and repeatedly. There is much here for the soul and for wisdom. Humility, Spirit dependance, and prayerfulness are the drumbeats of these letters.
May 12, 2024
A very encouraging read. Throughout these letters, the vital importance of prayer, humility, and self-denial are repeated over and over.
August 20, 2022
This is a superb compilation of letters to encourage and rebuke persons in ministry caught in a variety of circumstances. Although the spirit of most letters point back to Christ, each letter reads differently and has its unique intent. Poignantly sobering is the author’s admission that the section on letters to encourage reconciliation and to forgive as the biggest section in the book, which actually should not surprise given that the workplace in general is no easy place.
My biggest takeaway was on the consistent strand of prayerfulness and our restraint to not conduct ourselves contrary to what we pray for. I also appreciate that in his approach to rebuking, he also opened himself up to scrutiny - exemplifying a gentle servant-hearted spirit.
It was a helpful read and it is one book to consider when one wishes to read a letter to be encouraged or directed concerning a specific issue in his or her spiritual walk and ministry.
My biggest takeaway was on the consistent strand of prayerfulness and our restraint to not conduct ourselves contrary to what we pray for. I also appreciate that in his approach to rebuking, he also opened himself up to scrutiny - exemplifying a gentle servant-hearted spirit.
It was a helpful read and it is one book to consider when one wishes to read a letter to be encouraged or directed concerning a specific issue in his or her spiritual walk and ministry.
January 5, 2024
Maybe my favorite book on pastoral ministry.
February 25, 2023
Some of the content and tone a bit dated, but we could all learn much from the humility and vulnerability in the way this man related to and loved others.
October 7, 2021
A wonderful book. Have been reading this book slowly over the last five years. Packed full of so much wisdom, insight, pastoral care - over a huge range of life and ministries.
February 19, 2024
Jack writes his letters with a style very familiar with the style and heart of the Apostle Paul. Encouraging and convicting.
I read this book for a class through the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation.
I read this book for a class through the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation.
January 8, 2019
Great devotional book.
Not only was I challenged Spiritually by the content, but even more so, I learned by how the letters were written. Humble, yet truthful, and compassionate.
Not only was I challenged Spiritually by the content, but even more so, I learned by how the letters were written. Humble, yet truthful, and compassionate.
April 25, 2010
So Miller is one of the most beautiful letter writers I have ever come across. There is so much personal, so much truth, so much "alongside of" ministry that happens, it is a beautiful testimony speaking truth in love in written form. Some of these letters have changed my understanding of ministry.
February 6, 2018
Fantastic book about ministry and living for Christ. The contents are the letters of Jack Miller to different people in different ministry contexts dealing with a variety of issues. His letters are Christ focused and evidence incredible discernment, wisdom, and pastoral insight. Highly recommended and deserves a "yearly rereading".
February 4, 2023
I'm stunned to learn that a Senior pastor writing letters to invididual staff, missionaries, seminarians, strangers and members. It makes me repent how I want to reserve my time to do "big things" but not soul-caring things. I made up my mind to write letters to people God put under my care at least once a week.
December 19, 2024
To start with, in an age where most of the famous evangelical pastors want to be seen for their wisdom and righteousness in order to maintain their power and influence, Jack Miller's open repentance of his sinfulness and his call for Christian leaders to publicly do the same is refreshing. The church would be a much better place today if more people followed his example.
In addition, Jack prayed a ton.
On the other hand, at least in 2024, it feels like something is missing. A part of that might be the continuous repetition of the traditional evangelical understanding of the Gospel (all of us guilty sinners need to repent of our sins and place our faith in Jesus in order to be innocent before God and go to heaven). All problems are our sinfulness, and all problems can be resolved through repenting more.
I wish that in the process of putting this book together that they had asked as many recipients as possible to write a short review of the impact of their letter on their lives. I think it would have greatly increased the usefulness of the letters to readers, and, given how Jack wrote about himself, he would have been absolutely fine if some of the letters turned out to duds.
In addition, Jack prayed a ton.
On the other hand, at least in 2024, it feels like something is missing. A part of that might be the continuous repetition of the traditional evangelical understanding of the Gospel (all of us guilty sinners need to repent of our sins and place our faith in Jesus in order to be innocent before God and go to heaven). All problems are our sinfulness, and all problems can be resolved through repenting more.
I wish that in the process of putting this book together that they had asked as many recipients as possible to write a short review of the impact of their letter on their lives. I think it would have greatly increased the usefulness of the letters to readers, and, given how Jack wrote about himself, he would have been absolutely fine if some of the letters turned out to duds.
August 8, 2024
I haven't got time to get down on book reviews because of life's busyness, but this book really deserved some attention. C. John Miller (father of Paul E. Miller - author of A Praying Life) was the professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary and founder of World Harvest Mission (also pastored Tim and Kathy Keller for a short season while they were in Philadephia/WTS). This book is a required reading of Ed Welch's "Helping Relationship" CCEF course. A collection of pastoral letters from Miller to budding missionaries, family members, congregation and the church he pastored, and even people he never met but just wanted to encourage. Miller's letters really exuberated a lot of pastoral firmness, wisdom, love, and encouragement, especially the sections on addressing sin, mediating conflicts, and difficult pastoral situations. It is really in the most challenging situations that he writes into that overflowed with his most heartfelt prayers and most profound humility, love, and grace.
April 13, 2025
This collection of letters from a man I had never heard of, but who clearly had a heart for caring for God's people and winning the lost, was inspiring and convicting. Jack Miller has many pearls of wisdom and demonstrates the willingness to constantly repent of sins, even as a great leader in the Presbyterian Church. I would definitely recommend this book, not just for leaders or future leaders in any position in the Church, but for any Christian. The wide array of issues that Jack covers in his letters have wisdom that anyone can benefit from. My one complaint is on the same issue we have with the ancient texts of the Bible, he often references things and events that are only privy to those connected to them or those who are formally educated (which his daughter/editor could have elaborated on). Otherwise, I was absolutely helped by this book and am going to lend it to one of my pastors in the hopes that it will help him also.
December 20, 2023
My interest in this book was piqued by a quote I came across from Jack Miller in relation to prayer.
As I read the book (slowly), I found so many more riches! We get an insight not only into Jack's ministry but, as evident in the title, into his heart.
One thing that stood out to me was the way Jack dealt with conflict. I was struck by Jack's approach as he humbly confessed his own sin and weakness and dependence on the Lord before raising the difficult things he was compelled to address (as ministry leader) in the life of another.As I have sought to emulate his gtacious approach, I have seen the Lird take the heat out of situations.
I read through this book over a lengthy period, which gave me time to process before moving on, but I also lost the consistent flow. I intend to read this book again soon, confidenr that it is one of those books that will repay returning to it.
As I read the book (slowly), I found so many more riches! We get an insight not only into Jack's ministry but, as evident in the title, into his heart.
One thing that stood out to me was the way Jack dealt with conflict. I was struck by Jack's approach as he humbly confessed his own sin and weakness and dependence on the Lord before raising the difficult things he was compelled to address (as ministry leader) in the life of another.As I have sought to emulate his gtacious approach, I have seen the Lird take the heat out of situations.
I read through this book over a lengthy period, which gave me time to process before moving on, but I also lost the consistent flow. I intend to read this book again soon, confidenr that it is one of those books that will repay returning to it.
December 4, 2020
Fantastic. Much praise could be written of this book. Jack's pastor's heart comes through in every letter he writes. It has been edited by his daughter in categories, that one may search its pages for guidance and clarity through particular life circumstances. What strikes me most in Jack's letters, and
what we need reminding of most as believers, is the emphasis on humble repentance and confession.
Jack knew what it was to take out the log in his eye, and it comes out in every letter. A phrase of his that I grew to love was the prayerful request for "God to grant us deeper repentance." Highly recommended.
what we need reminding of most as believers, is the emphasis on humble repentance and confession.
Jack knew what it was to take out the log in his eye, and it comes out in every letter. A phrase of his that I grew to love was the prayerful request for "God to grant us deeper repentance." Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews