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Character Matters: Shepherding in the Fruit of the Spirit
Pastor, it’s time to turn down the noise and focus on what matters.
Today’s pastoral world is packed with books, conferences, and seminars teaching you different techniques for being an all-star pastor, growing your church quickly, and changing the world. But the key to true success is much harder and much simpler. Pastors are called to be faithful, to have exemplary character, and to love Jesus. Without faithfulness, their ministry ends up harming others rather than helping them. Churches need pastors with sound doctrine and a sound life.
Character Matters was written to help you slow down, cut through the noise and distractions, and focus on what matters - the fruit of the Spirit. Each chapter is a guided, biblical meditation on one aspect of each piece of the fruit of the Spirit. As you reflect and focus on the simple things that matter, you’ll see your heart change and your ministry follow, slowly, surely, and by the power of the Spirit.
Today’s pastoral world is packed with books, conferences, and seminars teaching you different techniques for being an all-star pastor, growing your church quickly, and changing the world. But the key to true success is much harder and much simpler. Pastors are called to be faithful, to have exemplary character, and to love Jesus. Without faithfulness, their ministry ends up harming others rather than helping them. Churches need pastors with sound doctrine and a sound life.
Character Matters was written to help you slow down, cut through the noise and distractions, and focus on what matters - the fruit of the Spirit. Each chapter is a guided, biblical meditation on one aspect of each piece of the fruit of the Spirit. As you reflect and focus on the simple things that matter, you’ll see your heart change and your ministry follow, slowly, surely, and by the power of the Spirit.
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Published June 12, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
April 13, 2021
It's not hard these days to be reminded of the shortcomings of pastors. Even if you weren't looking to the headlines and hot takes, you really just need to observe your own pastor to see it. Far too often, I'm reminded of how far I have to go in holiness myself.
Menikoff has written a superb book meditating on the role of character in Christian ministry. This book is a positive, clarion call for pastors to be devoted to their own personal holiness. I'm not sure there's ever a time when this is unneeded, but boy, was it a timely read for me.
Have already had fruitful discussions with other men in ministry/aspiring to ministry. Many ministry discussions are goal-oriented: how can we get this done, where are the resources for this coming from, when can we move ahead with this? It's so useful to have a resource that shows the serious practical important of a minister's holiness. Will be revisiting soon.
Highly recommend to anyone in or considering a ministry leadership role.
Menikoff has written a superb book meditating on the role of character in Christian ministry. This book is a positive, clarion call for pastors to be devoted to their own personal holiness. I'm not sure there's ever a time when this is unneeded, but boy, was it a timely read for me.
Have already had fruitful discussions with other men in ministry/aspiring to ministry. Many ministry discussions are goal-oriented: how can we get this done, where are the resources for this coming from, when can we move ahead with this? It's so useful to have a resource that shows the serious practical important of a minister's holiness. Will be revisiting soon.
Highly recommend to anyone in or considering a ministry leadership role.
February 8, 2024
Loved this book. Throughout the book, I remembered specific scenarios where the author (my pastor) exemplified the different fruits of the spirit in various conversations and made me praise God for a pastor who doesn’t just talk the talk but walks the walk!
July 6, 2021
Excellent! This book applies the fruit of the Spirit to the pastor's life. Convicting, encouraging, gospel-centered.
I read it with our Reaching & Teaching intern the summer of 2021.
I read it with our Reaching & Teaching intern the summer of 2021.
March 10, 2023
Omg so wonderful! The best punch to the gut yet kiss on the face of how much God loves us and cares for our heart. 10/10 recommend for any follower of Christ!
August 20, 2020
Convicting reflection on the importance of character to faithfulness in ministry. While lots of resources focus on the skills for pastoral ministry/leadership, Menikoff focuses on the character qualities essential to faithful gospel ministry.
Each chapter examines a piece of fruit Gal. 5:22–23, reflecting on what it is an how to cultivate it in your life, while continuously pointing to the grace of God in Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, who bears these fruits in us.
Menikoff threw some gospel logs onto the fire of my desire to grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Thank you brother!
Each chapter examines a piece of fruit Gal. 5:22–23, reflecting on what it is an how to cultivate it in your life, while continuously pointing to the grace of God in Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, who bears these fruits in us.
Menikoff threw some gospel logs onto the fire of my desire to grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Thank you brother!
October 15, 2021
A genuinely refreshing read on character, particularly that of pastors. Of course, I’d recommends pastors read this book, but also their wives, and the average church member too.
Aaron beautifully exposits the fruit of the Spirit in the life of the pastor whose aim is not fame, platform, or riches, but to be faithful to the Lord in all things. And isn’t that what we want? Faithful men pastoring, and faithful men and women serving the body.
Aaron beautifully exposits the fruit of the Spirit in the life of the pastor whose aim is not fame, platform, or riches, but to be faithful to the Lord in all things. And isn’t that what we want? Faithful men pastoring, and faithful men and women serving the body.
September 23, 2025
An excellent book to read and discuss with others. First read with another brother in 2020 and then with an aspiring pastor in 2022. Read, discuss, and pray the Lord will cultivate this fruit of holiness in your life and ministry.
Excited to have the Arabic translation completed in the next month or so to share with non-English readers.
Read again in 2025 for the MVBC internship.
Excited to have the Arabic translation completed in the next month or so to share with non-English readers.
Read again in 2025 for the MVBC internship.
September 19, 2022
“Everyone bears fruit. The only question is what kind of fruit you bear. There is no in-between. You will either bear fruit for life - spiritual fruit, good fruit - or you will bear fruit for death - fruit of the flesh, bad fruit.”
This book excellently examined each part of the fruit of the spirit found in Galatians 5 (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) in a way that coupled scriptural depth and practical application. Menikoff recognizes that fruit comes in response to the gospel because the gospel is the only thing that enables spiritual growth. Works are treated as a necessary result of Christ’s death for our spiritual life while holding firmly to the truth that our works merit nothing for our justification. He also emphasizes that you can’t obtain maturity by sheer will power. There is a great work of prayer and humbling yourself before God in order that the Holy Spirit would change your heart to be like Christ.
I really appreciated that even with the in depth examination of the individual pieces of the fruit, that the author consistently connected how they affect each other. He recognizes that the parts of the fruit are truly needed together to form the whole fruit of Christian maturity. Love without faithfulness and kindness is not fully developed love. This book is specifically meant for pastors and holds a godly life in high regard and a difficult task. All who aspire to eldership, would do wisely to look at a godly life marked out by the qualifications found not only in Timothy and Titus but also the marks of Christian maturity found in the fruit of the Holy Spirit found in Galatians.
This book excellently examined each part of the fruit of the spirit found in Galatians 5 (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) in a way that coupled scriptural depth and practical application. Menikoff recognizes that fruit comes in response to the gospel because the gospel is the only thing that enables spiritual growth. Works are treated as a necessary result of Christ’s death for our spiritual life while holding firmly to the truth that our works merit nothing for our justification. He also emphasizes that you can’t obtain maturity by sheer will power. There is a great work of prayer and humbling yourself before God in order that the Holy Spirit would change your heart to be like Christ.
I really appreciated that even with the in depth examination of the individual pieces of the fruit, that the author consistently connected how they affect each other. He recognizes that the parts of the fruit are truly needed together to form the whole fruit of Christian maturity. Love without faithfulness and kindness is not fully developed love. This book is specifically meant for pastors and holds a godly life in high regard and a difficult task. All who aspire to eldership, would do wisely to look at a godly life marked out by the qualifications found not only in Timothy and Titus but also the marks of Christian maturity found in the fruit of the Holy Spirit found in Galatians.
November 11, 2022
The kind of pastor I want to be.
February 29, 2024
So good! I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book written by someone I personally know, so that was cool, especially because of how vulnerable and humble Aaron is about his own shortcomings and experiences.
The book is mainly targeted at the pastor. But, it is relevant for all Christians since the gospel is the foundation (the root) and sanctification (the fruit) is promised by God to His people. I think most who read this book will be humbled and encouraged to reflect on the fruit of the Spirit in their own lives.
The book is mainly targeted at the pastor. But, it is relevant for all Christians since the gospel is the foundation (the root) and sanctification (the fruit) is promised by God to His people. I think most who read this book will be humbled and encouraged to reflect on the fruit of the Spirit in their own lives.
September 4, 2024
In this work, Pastor Aaron Menikoff deals with the exegesis of the heart. He spends time with the reader, sorting through the fruits of spirit and charging the reader to pursue the Lord more faithfully.
I have had the privilege of listening to Pastor Aaron speak on multiple occasions. Even at my own church! He is a dear brother and I am immensely appreciative of the work the Lord has done in his life and ministry.
My only critique is that I was slightly disappointed in Menikoff’s argumentation in chapter 3. It was unclear and unhelpful (the only reason it’s not 5 stars).
This would be a great book for anyone in ministry. It turns out our character matters…..
I have had the privilege of listening to Pastor Aaron speak on multiple occasions. Even at my own church! He is a dear brother and I am immensely appreciative of the work the Lord has done in his life and ministry.
My only critique is that I was slightly disappointed in Menikoff’s argumentation in chapter 3. It was unclear and unhelpful (the only reason it’s not 5 stars).
This would be a great book for anyone in ministry. It turns out our character matters…..
April 26, 2023
Read with the elders of Stafford Baptist. A stirring exhortation to be devoted to our pursuit of holiness by the Spirit.
April 10, 2022
Very good.
January 21, 2023
Written for pastors but so helpful for every Christian.
April 6, 2024
Great leadership/discipleship book! If you’re wanting a great biblical book to read on those subjects add this to the list! Thanks Christin/Pine Cove!
January 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Given that the focus of the book was on pastoral ministry, there were a few anecdotes here and there that I couldn’t really relate to, but by and large, I think it can apply to any Christian, especially since (as one of my pastors likes to say) any Christian man should be qualified for church office with perhaps the exception of being able to teach.
I’ve seen comments that the book is little too simple, and while I think it gives a solid high-level overview of what each piece of the fruit of the Spirit is, why it’s important, and practical ways to grow in that area, I don’t disagree.
One thing that I appreciated is how each chapter traced the fruit of the Spirit back to the cross of Christ. After all, if our efforts to mortify sin and grow in holiness do not spring forth out of gratitude for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, then they truly are dead works.
Another thing that I really enjoyed was Menikoff’s articulation of “goodness.” For a while, I suppose that I thought of goodness as just the sum of the other eight qualities that Paul uses to describe the fruit of the Spirit. But I thought the quote that Menikoff used from Andrew Fuller was really insightful: “We may be terrified by the fear of the wrath to come, and delighted with the hope of escaping it through Christ; but if this terror and this hope have no respect to the character of God, as holy, just, and good, there can be no hatred of sin as sin, nor love to God as God, and consequently no true religion.”
Overall, not my absolute favorite book for the cohort but still one that I really enjoyed and found helpful.
I’ve seen comments that the book is little too simple, and while I think it gives a solid high-level overview of what each piece of the fruit of the Spirit is, why it’s important, and practical ways to grow in that area, I don’t disagree.
One thing that I appreciated is how each chapter traced the fruit of the Spirit back to the cross of Christ. After all, if our efforts to mortify sin and grow in holiness do not spring forth out of gratitude for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, then they truly are dead works.
Another thing that I really enjoyed was Menikoff’s articulation of “goodness.” For a while, I suppose that I thought of goodness as just the sum of the other eight qualities that Paul uses to describe the fruit of the Spirit. But I thought the quote that Menikoff used from Andrew Fuller was really insightful: “We may be terrified by the fear of the wrath to come, and delighted with the hope of escaping it through Christ; but if this terror and this hope have no respect to the character of God, as holy, just, and good, there can be no hatred of sin as sin, nor love to God as God, and consequently no true religion.”
Overall, not my absolute favorite book for the cohort but still one that I really enjoyed and found helpful.
February 28, 2024
Robert Murray M’Cheyne once stated, “My people’s greatest need is my personal holiness.” For the Scottish minister, his care for God’s flock was directly related to his own character. While it is easy to think highly of one’s own character in comparison to others, Aaron Menikoff takes after M’Cheyne in thinking that this is the wrong place to start. Character is to be measured against the bar of God’s character. As God said to Israel and to the Church, “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”
The book situates character in the proper place for Christians, namely in light of regeneration and justification. Aaron emphasizes that unlike Aristotle or Plato’s idea of virtue, a Biblical understanding of character does not rest on one’s own strength, but on the Spirit of God who works in His people even as they strive for holiness. With this understanding, the book looks at the fruit of the Spirit and calls its readers to cultivate such character. The result is a work that (if read with any honesty) will humble its readers, encourage them to pursue godliness, and make them glad that God has promised to progressively sanctify His people.
The book situates character in the proper place for Christians, namely in light of regeneration and justification. Aaron emphasizes that unlike Aristotle or Plato’s idea of virtue, a Biblical understanding of character does not rest on one’s own strength, but on the Spirit of God who works in His people even as they strive for holiness. With this understanding, the book looks at the fruit of the Spirit and calls its readers to cultivate such character. The result is a work that (if read with any honesty) will humble its readers, encourage them to pursue godliness, and make them glad that God has promised to progressively sanctify His people.
June 5, 2023
Excellent book. I worked through it on Wednesday nights with our church, and it was one of the most helpful series I have ever done. We KNOW that the fruit of the Spirit is an outflow of abiding in the vine and not something we create, but it's harder to practice it! This book took one piece of the fruit per chapter and explained it in detail. Although it was written for pastors, I found it easy to translate to the congregation.
I really appreciated the singularity of the fruit. It's a bunch of pieces, but the Holy Spirit should be producing ALL of the pieces at the same time. There's no room for, "Well, I'm pretty peaceful, gentle, and disciplined, so I don't need to work on goodness and faith much." No, it's all of them!
Good book and a helpful resource, even if a little less than convincing on a few of the chapters. In preaching it, I often expounded the support texts that the author sprinkled in.
I really appreciated the singularity of the fruit. It's a bunch of pieces, but the Holy Spirit should be producing ALL of the pieces at the same time. There's no room for, "Well, I'm pretty peaceful, gentle, and disciplined, so I don't need to work on goodness and faith much." No, it's all of them!
Good book and a helpful resource, even if a little less than convincing on a few of the chapters. In preaching it, I often expounded the support texts that the author sprinkled in.
December 13, 2021
Church leaders are to bear the fruit of the Spirit first to bring glory to God, second as a follower of Christ, and third for the good of the church. How will the church grow in these godly characteristics of their leaders are lacking them in their lives? It is a high calling, but God has given his grace for the task. A highly recommended and encouraging read for anyone in the position of leading others in the walk of faith in Christ.
January 24, 2023
4.5 stars.
This book was a lot better than I thought it would be. I guess I thought a book about character was going to be boring and predictable, but Aaron Menikoff’s humility, personal examples, and perceptive applications inspired me to take another look at the fruit of the spirit in my own life. His chapters on love, kindness, meekness’s, and self-control were my favorites.
This book was a lot better than I thought it would be. I guess I thought a book about character was going to be boring and predictable, but Aaron Menikoff’s humility, personal examples, and perceptive applications inspired me to take another look at the fruit of the spirit in my own life. His chapters on love, kindness, meekness’s, and self-control were my favorites.
July 9, 2024
#1 takeaway: the fruit of peace is rooted and grounded in the fact that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ
Bonus: the fruit of the spirit is a guarantee of our union with Christ. If we are not bearing the fruit of the spirit, we should examine ourselves.
Heavy on scripture and very practical with application. The thing that I noticed most about Aaron’s writing is that he is VERY QUICK to point out his own personal failings as a pastor and he uses that to point the reader back to the gospel. Excellent book
Bonus: the fruit of the spirit is a guarantee of our union with Christ. If we are not bearing the fruit of the spirit, we should examine ourselves.
Heavy on scripture and very practical with application. The thing that I noticed most about Aaron’s writing is that he is VERY QUICK to point out his own personal failings as a pastor and he uses that to point the reader back to the gospel. Excellent book
August 13, 2021
Not a typical book on Christian character. Full of pastoral wisdom and personal testimony and insight, the author takes the reader through a personal journey of how each aspect of the fruit of the Spirit must come to fruition in the life of a pastor.
March 8, 2023
Really good! Great biblical truth, practical and easy to discuss with a group. Great mix of convicting and challenging but easy to read. Genuine and sincere writing. Will keep this one and refer back for sure!
September 26, 2025
Convicting yet encouraging. He does a wonderful job in making church leader understand that character matters. He gives a good explanation of each fruit and how it applies to the leader in the church. Second time reading it and well worth it again.
May 4, 2021
4.5.
Great read for a pastor, elder, or ministry leader.
Great read for a pastor, elder, or ministry leader.
February 1, 2022
A challenge to live a holy life and hope in the Spirit’s application of the gospel especially to a pastor’s life. The chapters are doctrine and application. Ver helpful for the pastor and people of local churches.
July 28, 2023
[Audiobook]
Solid dive into what it looks like as a pastor to live out the fruits of the spirit! Didn’t love it as an audiobook, but great content.
Solid dive into what it looks like as a pastor to live out the fruits of the spirit! Didn’t love it as an audiobook, but great content.
December 17, 2023
A book I will be recommending to those both shepherding and those aspiring to shepherd. Both convicting and encouraging as well.
September 3, 2024
Generally helpful.
Awkwardly argued.
Surprisingly mid for something I heard was great. But a good read nonetheless.
Awkwardly argued.
Surprisingly mid for something I heard was great. But a good read nonetheless.
April 16, 2025
A great call to live out the fruit of the spirit.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews