El escudero de Dios #1

by Terry Nance

This book is written from the perspective of the support team and describes a team relationship in which the team members are willing to lay down their own self interests for the leader. The author equates those working for the pastor with Old Testament armor bearers to the kings. Any leader would be humbled to be the recipient of such loyalty and faithfulness. It will help all Christians to see their role to support their leaders. It is written by an associate pastor who discovered these truths about his role in regards to his head pastor. The role of the Armorbearer is also for the whole body (church).

Genres: Nonfiction, Leadership, Spirituality, Christian, Christian Living

82 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1990

Reviews

[Caleb · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book teaches people to put up with abusive behavior from their pastors. It is a truly sick take on what it means to be a good follower. Stay away if you value your own safety or mental health.

[Marion Wiley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is another book used by abusive churches to keep their flock in line. This guy advocates turning yourself inside out for leaders, encouraging brown-nosing and currying favor to get position in the system, and thus essentially promoting idolatry. This book, along with Watchman Nee's Spiritual Authority are required reading in some abusive churches, and a big ole red flag. Beware.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a mixed bag:
Pros:
Good points and principles worth learning

Cons:
TERRIBLE theology
regular eisogesis
Not great writing
written with a certain "attitude" that was very common in pentecostal persons 20 years ago
outdated and used the KJV - definitely needs an update
Won't click with this generation
Will make the pastor look like a tyrant
has a chapter on the pastor's job even though the book is called the armor bearer, not the armor wielder...

I will keep it and use it as a refresher, but... eesh. First 1/3 was good, 2/3 was terrible, 3/3 was in the middle. The author should get off his high horse, figure out how to connect with the next generation since this book will only turn them off and not break through, and then use more relevant translations. He also has this arrogance of "this is how I understand it, glory! So it's right, hallelujah".

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

So.. this book was given to us as an assignment at a church for a leadership internship. This book amongst a couple others are the reason I, to this day 4 years later, am seeking therapy for trauma I endured during my time serving under people that hurt me so badly. People that believed in this book for themselves as well. It’s a vicious chain to be inside of. Some things are greatly said in the book but I don’t think I’d ever recommend this to anyone. My heart hurts thinking of how many others could have taken abuse like this book condones because they read it and considered it a guide through and through. Do not be convinced by another man’s calling to serve a monster. Read it if you want, but with OH so much caution. Please

[Aaron Alvarez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Este es uno de esos libros que ayudan a los pastores de iglesias a manipular a los servidores. Para empezar el planteamiento de ser un escudero no es bíblico. No se nos pide que seamos escuderos de nadie, sino hermanos, familia, unos de otros. Los argumentos que ofrece el autor sirven para manipular a sus lectores. Ideas como deja tus sueños y deseos por los de tu pastor, apunta las órdenes de tu pastor como si fueras un mesero que apunta la orden, con el pretexto de hacer bien lo que te piden, entre otras cosas, me parecen absurdas. Por ideas como esta, la iglesia abusa de las personas. Sus argumentos se basan en respuestas que Dios le dijo, pero con poco sustento bíblico.

[Jennifer Crislip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative

I would recommend this book to all church members. We all need to be serving God and helping serve and support our Pastors and leaders . We need to be lifting them up in prayer and not tearing them down.

[Charley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be very inspirational. I highly recommend it.

[Catie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good, highly recommend!

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book! It will help all Christians to see their role to support their leaders. It is written by an associate pastor who discovered these truths about his role in regards to his head pastor. Yet anyone who serves in a church can learn from these short lessons. Weather you’re a small group leader, a eucharistic minister, worship leader - if you serve the body of Christ in any kind of role, this book will help you serve better.

Often people take one role in serving the church and see it as a stepping tone to advancement to a ‘higher’ or ‘better’ role. That is not he case. We are to serve our leaders and serve them well. ‘We have got to start seeing our position as one called and instituted by God. We must be willing to stay in it for the rest of our lives, if that is what God wants.’ p.46
Through serving the leaders in the church we are fulfilling part of our vocational call and helping to build up the whole body of Christ.

Nance has some great insights that he shares with us: “We can see that the most important part of the Armorbearing is a ministry of prayer, watchfulness, and intercession. The Armorbearer is to prove his sincerity, loyalty, and courage in the spirit realm through prayer and intercession.” p.52 and he emphatically states: “Every child of God, from leaders on down, needs to develop the character of an armorbearer. I believe that, right now in the Body of Christ, we need teaching on the development of the character of Christ. We have learned a lot about faith, prosperity and intercession, but I feel we have got to place more emphasis on character development.” p.61 Nothing could be closer to the truth. Much of Josemaria Escriva’s writings on the Christian life have that same emphasis. His books, The Way, Furrow and The Forge, each have sections dedicated to character.

The role of the Armorbearer is also for the whole body, “We are God’s armorbearers. We are to carry the shield for one another, joining our faith together. If we will do that, we will truly become God’s Great Army. We will go forth to conquer in the power of the Holy Spirit.” p.63 But being an armorbearer also takes perseverance, and fortitude. We are told: “Discover what your course is, and then stay with it and never give up until you have reached your God-ordained destination and goal.” p.74.

Finally I would like to leave you with two more quotes from the book. First: “It is time for us to re-evaluate our lives, and our ministries, to make sure that we are where we need to be and doing what we need to be doing.” p.79 And second: “The spirit of the armorbearer is the Spirit of Christ. This is the day we see that God’s children should take up the shields of others and be willing to carry them forth into battle.” p.79.

This book will definitely challenge your faith and how you live it out.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an excellent read on having a servant heart. It is focused on associate pastor's to their pastor and really works in the context of the church and it's members...but in using the Old Testament example of an armor bearer as the baseline to understand how God had called Terry to help fulfill his Pastor's calling rather than working on his own goals. Essentially, at least for a period of time, Terry was called to play a specific role in the kingdom of God. It was a supporting role to another person's calling. Terry worked through that and understood the biblical basis for having a servant attitude towards that direction and it blessed him and his pastor. Each person in the church will have a call from God, some to be leaders for a specific calling that God has placed on them, others to support those that are trying to accomplish those tasks. Do you have a servant heart and are you prepared to accept the glory from the Lord for your work, rather than be at the front of your own project? Read this book to get the biblical background associated with having an armor bearer's spirit in supporting the work of those at your church who are called to be leaders.

[Desmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was called to ministry in 2000, my pastor, Dr. Ronald A. Sewell, Sr. (http://www.heraldofhiscoming.net) made me a Deacon first and told me to read this book. The lesson to be learned was being a servant first and always. This book provided great and profound insight to a young man that wanted to serve the people of God, but lacked vision or purpose. It is a great book for any person that will assume a leadership role in the church from being an adjutant to assistant pastor and everything in between.

[Kelly Hammerle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Want to best know how to serve Christ, your church, and your pastor? Read this book and you will uncover unfamiliar principles of how to become a viable support for your pastor and the vision God has given him for your church.

[David Buckingham]

This book is an excelent read on how to be a blessing in the Church God has planted us in. The copy I have contains Volume 1 & 2

[Geoanth]

wonderful....loving mentors God gave unto us...

[Rich Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone must serve under someone.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was forced to read it. lol

[Stephen Kuntzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about how you can be an effective helper to your pastor.

[Phil Sessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was "forced" to read it. I get the idea, I would have to re read it because it's been about 10 years since I read it to see if I think it really applicable for ministry.

[Faith Williams-Rauch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book on leadership. It's a hard to read self help book

[Emily Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read and a must keep. Get the study book with it it will help you to dig deeper into the Word of God! I have read this book three times and each time God reveals something new to me.

[Maria Ramirez]

This book has truly impacted the way I serve as a Christian!