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Joyful Perseverance: Staying Fresh through the Ups and Downs of Ministry
How to Remain Joyful about Ministry Despite Inevitable Challenges
Life in ministry is not detached from disappointment. Threats to one’s integrity, harmful expectations from celebrity culture, and the tendency toward loneliness, insecurity, and pain can put a strain on ministry leaders. How can they remain faithful to their work for Christ’s kingdom without letting bitterness seep in?
Joyful Perseverance encourages ministry leaders to rely on God’s grace to find joy, energy, and the freshness to serve well, despite inevitable disappointments. It offers practical ways to combat the negative effects of ministry such as embracing God’s joy-giving presence, guarding one’s integrity, leaning into one’s God-given identity, groaning with God, settling sin issues through repentance and forgiveness, cultivating friends, and more. By adopting a life of thanksgiving, readers will experience abundant joy, resulting in an ongoing passion for ministry.
Written to Pastors, Elders, and Ministry Intended to help people joyfully stay in their ministry role despite discouragement and struggle Written by veteran ministry leader Ajith Fernando, this book addresses the inevitable difficulties presented to ministry leaders This short format makes this book practical and accessible for busy leaders Foreword by Thomas R. Schreiner
Life in ministry is not detached from disappointment. Threats to one’s integrity, harmful expectations from celebrity culture, and the tendency toward loneliness, insecurity, and pain can put a strain on ministry leaders. How can they remain faithful to their work for Christ’s kingdom without letting bitterness seep in?
Joyful Perseverance encourages ministry leaders to rely on God’s grace to find joy, energy, and the freshness to serve well, despite inevitable disappointments. It offers practical ways to combat the negative effects of ministry such as embracing God’s joy-giving presence, guarding one’s integrity, leaning into one’s God-given identity, groaning with God, settling sin issues through repentance and forgiveness, cultivating friends, and more. By adopting a life of thanksgiving, readers will experience abundant joy, resulting in an ongoing passion for ministry.
Written to Pastors, Elders, and Ministry Intended to help people joyfully stay in their ministry role despite discouragement and struggle Written by veteran ministry leader Ajith Fernando, this book addresses the inevitable difficulties presented to ministry leaders This short format makes this book practical and accessible for busy leaders Foreword by Thomas R. Schreiner
177 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 19, 2024
30 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Ajith Fernando
69 books21 followersAjith Fernando serves as Teaching Director of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka after being National Director for 35 years. Ajith is a visiting lecturer and Council President of Colombo Theological Seminary and also serves as Visiting Scholar at Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto. He has written 15 books and his books have been published in 19 different languages. The Call to Joy and Pain was awarded the Christianity Today Book of the Year Award for church and pastoral leadership.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 6, 2024
We live in troubling times. The economy is in shambles. Crime is up. People are hurting. Compromise is commonplace. The church is no exception. Any pastor who faithfully wields the Word of God every week and faithfully persists in his ministry responsibilities is bound to face discouragement. Any Christ-follower who stands against the tide of worldliness is bound to face discouragement. Ajith Fernando’s book, Joyful Perseverance is designed to reach Christians who need strength to carry on.
The author ministers in Sri Lanka and approaches the topic of perseverance with biblical fidelity and pastoral sensitivity. He writes like a fellow pilgrim, not a lecturer. His approach is gracious and warm.
Fernando relays personal stories of discouragement and defeat in ministry and applies biblical wisdom to each encounter. The book is a simple read but avoids simplistic solutions. Instead of commending pragmatic strategies or worldly counsel, this seasoned Christian leader shares his heart and invites readers to continue their joyful pursuit of God in their respective ministries.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
The author ministers in Sri Lanka and approaches the topic of perseverance with biblical fidelity and pastoral sensitivity. He writes like a fellow pilgrim, not a lecturer. His approach is gracious and warm.
Fernando relays personal stories of discouragement and defeat in ministry and applies biblical wisdom to each encounter. The book is a simple read but avoids simplistic solutions. Instead of commending pragmatic strategies or worldly counsel, this seasoned Christian leader shares his heart and invites readers to continue their joyful pursuit of God in their respective ministries.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
November 2, 2024
If you are someone involved in any ministry capacity, this is a really helpful resource. I think it speaks to some areas that aren’t often addressed or discussed when it comes to those seeking to honor God and persevere in ministry. 10/10 resource.
December 23, 2024
Simple, succinct, and insightful counsel from someone who has much by the way of walking with, and serving, the Lord.
October 9, 2024
[3.75]
“God’s servants are not immune to challenges faced by the rest of humanity. Those who face such are honored by God, for He enables them to bear such burdens.”
Overall, it’s a good book. There were a couple chapters that I chose to glaze over, but I was generally challenged and encouraged by this book. I appreciated that every chapter had an application/reflection question.
“He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.” 1 Thess 5:24
“God’s servants are not immune to challenges faced by the rest of humanity. Those who face such are honored by God, for He enables them to bear such burdens.”
Overall, it’s a good book. There were a couple chapters that I chose to glaze over, but I was generally challenged and encouraged by this book. I appreciated that every chapter had an application/reflection question.
“He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.” 1 Thess 5:24
January 7, 2025
Really helpful
July 27, 2025
excellent, devotional style lessons from a seasoned Christian leader and servant about how to stay fresh in your service for the Lord. lots of great points and use of the word!
September 25, 2025
2.5 rounded up. Just didn’t connect with the book layout and writing style. Not really what I was hoping it would be :/
June 14, 2024
I loved this book. Ajith Fernando has been in ministry for forty-seven years, so when he talks about perseverance in ministry, he has the experience to back it up. He writes with grace and humility and simply points his readers back to the basics of the faith: living in the grace of God and depending on him for strength.
Though the topics in this book will not necessarily be novel, there were so many thought-provoking insights, including:
-Not neglecting ministry to individuals as we participate in large-scale ministry
-Rhythms of discipline in the Christian life (how we handle on-going sin struggles)
-The hard work of prayer (but why it’s worth it)
-Fighting for joy despite suffering and challenges
Though this book is written towards those in official ministry capacities, I would recommend it to any believer. There is much to be said for “pressing on” and what it takes to do so in faithful service to the Lord, regardless of what our titles are. Read and be encouraged!
Thank you to Netgalley and Crossway for the advanced review copy. Joyful Perseverance releases on July 16.
Though the topics in this book will not necessarily be novel, there were so many thought-provoking insights, including:
-Not neglecting ministry to individuals as we participate in large-scale ministry
-Rhythms of discipline in the Christian life (how we handle on-going sin struggles)
-The hard work of prayer (but why it’s worth it)
-Fighting for joy despite suffering and challenges
Though this book is written towards those in official ministry capacities, I would recommend it to any believer. There is much to be said for “pressing on” and what it takes to do so in faithful service to the Lord, regardless of what our titles are. Read and be encouraged!
Thank you to Netgalley and Crossway for the advanced review copy. Joyful Perseverance releases on July 16.
January 22, 2025
Finished reading Ajith Fernando’s latest book, “Joyful Perseverance: Staying Fresh through the Ups and Downs of Ministry.” A book every person in ministry should read. I know Ajith, we serve in the same organization, Youth For Christ. As I read the book, I could picture him speaking it. I know his heart for the Lord and for the ministry.
Ajith says that statistics show that only about 1/3 of Christian leaders end their careers in service well. he then emphasizes, “It does not have to be so!”
The book is to help us live lives in obedience and in the joy of the Lord, persevering, not giving up, staying fresh in our relationship with the Lord.
He writes about the God who groans with us, even as He refreshes us through prayer; both encourages and rebukes us through our friends; stands by us as we battle our insecurities…
It is a practical book that is based on God’s revealed truth in the Bible, so he encourages us to read it and mine its treasures.
He ends with a statement from Paul, “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” (1 Thess. 5: 24)
Amen!
Ajith says that statistics show that only about 1/3 of Christian leaders end their careers in service well. he then emphasizes, “It does not have to be so!”
The book is to help us live lives in obedience and in the joy of the Lord, persevering, not giving up, staying fresh in our relationship with the Lord.
He writes about the God who groans with us, even as He refreshes us through prayer; both encourages and rebukes us through our friends; stands by us as we battle our insecurities…
It is a practical book that is based on God’s revealed truth in the Bible, so he encourages us to read it and mine its treasures.
He ends with a statement from Paul, “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” (1 Thess. 5: 24)
Amen!
June 17, 2024
This is one of those books everyone in ministry should have on their shelf. Whether you are full-time, part-time, or volunteer, this will bless your soul. Working in ministry has its ups and downs; it takes being saturated in scripture and prayer to keep going and stay fresh in ministry. The way this book is laid out, every chapter is a new topic, and, after reading completion once, it can be used to open wherever you may need a good reminder that ministry is pure joy and is perseverance. I loved the quotes and stories from some of history's most popular theologians and missionaries. Stories of the good times and stories in the trenches when all hope seems lost, but their joy in the Lord shines the brightest in those lows. I will be adding this to the bookshelf and returning to this book many times this year as I go through some of the lows and highs in ministry to keep me grounded in being joyful for the Lord and not myself or my accomplishments. All the glory goes to God.
February 15, 2025
Best book I’ve Read for Christian Ministry Veterans
I have been in full-time Christian evangelical ministry for the past 38 years. This book was refreshing and challenging at the same time. It was an easy read as Ajith weaved personal thoughts, scripture, and real life stories to help those of us who want to finish well. I believe his statistics that most of us do not, and I don’t want to be part of that statistic. The author gave practical help in every chapter related to every issue discussed. I am recommending this to all my ministry friends and I will be giving it as gifts to several. Thank you, Ajith, for inputting into my life by writing this book. I will eventually read it from cover to cover again.
I have been in full-time Christian evangelical ministry for the past 38 years. This book was refreshing and challenging at the same time. It was an easy read as Ajith weaved personal thoughts, scripture, and real life stories to help those of us who want to finish well. I believe his statistics that most of us do not, and I don’t want to be part of that statistic. The author gave practical help in every chapter related to every issue discussed. I am recommending this to all my ministry friends and I will be giving it as gifts to several. Thank you, Ajith, for inputting into my life by writing this book. I will eventually read it from cover to cover again.
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August 9, 2024Grateful to learn these simple but essential lessons from someone who has been in ministry for so many decades.
October 26, 2024
This book is so refreshing and insightful. Ajith gets it.
December 5, 2025
What an encouraging book for ministry. I highly recommend it no matter if you are in a fruitful season of joy or in a challenging season of frustration.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews