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Both/And Ministry: Living and Leading Like Jesus
Helps those involved in ministry to live and serve like Jesus.
Gospel workers are called to be both/and
both patient and urgent,both confident and humble,both dependent on God and committed to hard work,both theologically driven and practically wise, and more.Often, these requirements feel as though they’re in tension. But this book shows that rather than leaning one way or the other, or seeking to strike a balance, authentic gospel ministry is found in pursuing both/and. To settle for less puts ourselves and our churches in danger.
Gary Millar has been involved in training hundreds of gospel workers at Queensland Theological College. Pointing to Christ as our supreme example, he helps readers to reflect on and refine their own ministry practice in a range of different areas—while also enjoying God's grace where they fall short.
As you look at all things through the lens of the gospel, you'll increasingly become the fully-formed follower of Jesus and servant of his church that you have been called to be.
Ideal for church staff and lay leaders, students preparing for ministry, and ministry apprentices and interns, as well as for any Christian who is heavily involved in their local church.
Gospel workers are called to be both/and
both patient and urgent,both confident and humble,both dependent on God and committed to hard work,both theologically driven and practically wise, and more.Often, these requirements feel as though they’re in tension. But this book shows that rather than leaning one way or the other, or seeking to strike a balance, authentic gospel ministry is found in pursuing both/and. To settle for less puts ourselves and our churches in danger.
Gary Millar has been involved in training hundreds of gospel workers at Queensland Theological College. Pointing to Christ as our supreme example, he helps readers to reflect on and refine their own ministry practice in a range of different areas—while also enjoying God's grace where they fall short.
As you look at all things through the lens of the gospel, you'll increasingly become the fully-formed follower of Jesus and servant of his church that you have been called to be.
Ideal for church staff and lay leaders, students preparing for ministry, and ministry apprentices and interns, as well as for any Christian who is heavily involved in their local church.
160 pages
Published January 1, 2025
24 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
J. Gary Millar
19 books18 followersGary has been the Principal of Queensland Theological College in Brisbane, Australia since the start of 2012. After studying chemistry in his home city of Belfast, Gary moved to Aberdeen in Scotland to study theology, before completing a D.Phil at Oxford on Deuteronomy. Gary worked as a pastor for the next 17 years in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and was involved in both church revitalization and church planting, before moving to Brisbane to lead the team at QTC.
Gary travels widely throughout Australia and beyond, seeking to encourage local churches. He is also the co-founder and Chair of The Gospel Coalition Australia.
Gary travels widely throughout Australia and beyond, seeking to encourage local churches. He is also the co-founder and Chair of The Gospel Coalition Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 7, 2025
Gary's a mate. Who I admire greatly. He's smart, personable, funny, kind, genuine, talented, humble and Irish. And he's been in Christian ministry for 30 years. What a package!
This book is an insight into the tensions that face all believers, especially when they seek to serve in their local church.
It would make a very good foundational book for people starting out in ministry of *any* sort, or a great book to share and discuss in a small group or one-to-one.
(It reminded me a little of Kevin de Young's Taking God at His Word - a key foundational book about its subject. Straightforward and true.)
In my nearly 20 years of friendship, I've found this to be true: Any time you spent with Gary Millar is sure to be a blessing. This book is no exception.
This book is an insight into the tensions that face all believers, especially when they seek to serve in their local church.
It would make a very good foundational book for people starting out in ministry of *any* sort, or a great book to share and discuss in a small group or one-to-one.
(It reminded me a little of Kevin de Young's Taking God at His Word - a key foundational book about its subject. Straightforward and true.)
In my nearly 20 years of friendship, I've found this to be true: Any time you spent with Gary Millar is sure to be a blessing. This book is no exception.
December 26, 2024
[Thank you to @thegoodbookcompanyusa for my gifted copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.]
“From the beginning of the Bible, God reveals himself to us as a God who specializes in glorious contrasts. He’s a both/and God, in all three Persons of the Trinity.”
“Knowing who we are in Christ, and who we will be, and that God is in the process of changing us is the way to both humility and growth.”
“One of the most basic things about ministry is that it is profoundly personal. It is ‘people in need of change helping people in need of change.’ We don’t minister to people or on people. Instead, ministry involves speaking the gospel as forgiven sinners to forgiven sinners as we walk alongside each other. We do ministry as fellow sinful human beings.”
This book is profound and exceedingly helpful! I love the way that this book delves deep into theology while also providing a wealth of practical knowledge and applications. I’ve read quite a few books on ministry, but I’ve never read a book quite like this one. I think that this book tackles some tough ministry topics that needed tackling, and I’m grateful for this book.
I love how this book discusses complexities like being redeemed but still a sinner, leading but also needing lead, giving but also needing to receive, and more.
As the book helpfully points out, all Christians should be involved with ministry at some level. That being said, I would recommend this title to any believer, not just Christians on the pay-roll. :)
Highly recommend!
“From the beginning of the Bible, God reveals himself to us as a God who specializes in glorious contrasts. He’s a both/and God, in all three Persons of the Trinity.”
“Knowing who we are in Christ, and who we will be, and that God is in the process of changing us is the way to both humility and growth.”
“One of the most basic things about ministry is that it is profoundly personal. It is ‘people in need of change helping people in need of change.’ We don’t minister to people or on people. Instead, ministry involves speaking the gospel as forgiven sinners to forgiven sinners as we walk alongside each other. We do ministry as fellow sinful human beings.”
This book is profound and exceedingly helpful! I love the way that this book delves deep into theology while also providing a wealth of practical knowledge and applications. I’ve read quite a few books on ministry, but I’ve never read a book quite like this one. I think that this book tackles some tough ministry topics that needed tackling, and I’m grateful for this book.
I love how this book discusses complexities like being redeemed but still a sinner, leading but also needing lead, giving but also needing to receive, and more.
As the book helpfully points out, all Christians should be involved with ministry at some level. That being said, I would recommend this title to any believer, not just Christians on the pay-roll. :)
Highly recommend!
March 14, 2025
Easy, fun, profound, and refreshing.
May 8, 2025
Excellent. A must read for anyone in ministry.
Even as ministers/gospel workers we are still one part of the body of Christ. It's not all on one pastor to lead, but a plurality of elders/pastors to lead as their strengths dictate. (While still having many overlapping strengths and the qualifications of the office). This was a great reminder as I felt that if I felt called to the office I had to be above and beyond in all areas of ministry, but there will be areas that I don't naturally excel in that other pastors can help me in, and that's okay.
Chapter 7 on the example of leaders and the practicality of leading was great. Leaders need to be theological driven, but also shouldn't be struggling to organise a paper bag.
"We need to make sure we find our security in who we are in Christ, while also remembering we are never more than works in progress." - Gary Millar
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."
1 John 3:1-3
Even as ministers/gospel workers we are still one part of the body of Christ. It's not all on one pastor to lead, but a plurality of elders/pastors to lead as their strengths dictate. (While still having many overlapping strengths and the qualifications of the office). This was a great reminder as I felt that if I felt called to the office I had to be above and beyond in all areas of ministry, but there will be areas that I don't naturally excel in that other pastors can help me in, and that's okay.
Chapter 7 on the example of leaders and the practicality of leading was great. Leaders need to be theological driven, but also shouldn't be struggling to organise a paper bag.
"We need to make sure we find our security in who we are in Christ, while also remembering we are never more than works in progress." - Gary Millar
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."
1 John 3:1-3
November 17, 2025
Super important stuff in here. Maybe more like 4.5 stars.
July 7, 2025
Writing style: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Engagement:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Content: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Purpose:🌟🌟🌟🌟
Value:🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 4.4/5
Engagement:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Content: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Purpose:🌟🌟🌟🌟
Value:🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 4.4/5
March 7, 2025
In Both/And Ministry, Gary Millar teaches you how to live and lead like Jesus.
Millar teaches his readers how to pursue the tensions that are present in Christian life and ministry. While the subject matter is theological, Millar stays practical and writes with candor. Ministry is “the stuff you do at church,” and I appreciated his down-to-earth writing.
The book opened my eyes to see that this both/and reality is thoroughly biblical. Millar is nuanced, bringing various passages to light with thoughtful interpretation.
Both for the Glory of God and the Good of Others
I was most interested to read about both/and ministry. It is both dependent on God and committed to working hard. It is both confident and humble. I thought about how while I sought to be faithful with the gifts God has given me, he has also given me more opportunities to serve him and grow me as I want to be ready to do anything.
I was most surprised to read about both/and leadership. While I had heard of servant leadership, I was surprised to see that there is much more. It is both theologically driven and practically wise. It is both patient and urgent. In my own leadership, I saw how I can be perceived as both “one of us” and “set apart.”
The book ends by saying both/and ministry is the pathway to authenticity, joy, and lifelong growth. I came away with a deeper appreciation and understanding of how both/and ministry can be both for the glory of God and the good of others.
I received a media copy of Both/AndMinistry and this is my honest review.
Millar teaches his readers how to pursue the tensions that are present in Christian life and ministry. While the subject matter is theological, Millar stays practical and writes with candor. Ministry is “the stuff you do at church,” and I appreciated his down-to-earth writing.
The book opened my eyes to see that this both/and reality is thoroughly biblical. Millar is nuanced, bringing various passages to light with thoughtful interpretation.
Both for the Glory of God and the Good of Others
I was most interested to read about both/and ministry. It is both dependent on God and committed to working hard. It is both confident and humble. I thought about how while I sought to be faithful with the gifts God has given me, he has also given me more opportunities to serve him and grow me as I want to be ready to do anything.
I was most surprised to read about both/and leadership. While I had heard of servant leadership, I was surprised to see that there is much more. It is both theologically driven and practically wise. It is both patient and urgent. In my own leadership, I saw how I can be perceived as both “one of us” and “set apart.”
The book ends by saying both/and ministry is the pathway to authenticity, joy, and lifelong growth. I came away with a deeper appreciation and understanding of how both/and ministry can be both for the glory of God and the good of others.
I received a media copy of Both/AndMinistry and this is my honest review.
June 10, 2025
The Christian life is not complicated, it's just hard. Millar helps us navigates this both/and life from the foundation up. He points us to Jesus the only one who perfectly lived the both/and life as our model and draw us to the Scripture to help us to live that both/and life no matter how imperfect or stumbling we are. It's work all the sacrifices for that authentic, joyful and growing Christian life grounded on a both/and life.
January 14, 2025
This helpful book on Christian ministry is both encouraging and humbling. Like all Gary Miller’s books it focuses clearly on Jesus and the gospel and is well illustrated and concretely applied. At times the both/and theme carries too many disparate ideas in just two words, but the overall emphasis is clear and engaging.
Read
July 22, 2025This book helps the reader zoom out and strive for a more complete Christian life not falling into extremes. At the very least, you should see some blind spots and unhealthy emphases in your own life.
May 15, 2025
Full of practical wisdom. A helpful read which encourages a groundedness in ministry.
July 24, 2025
Very enjoyable book to read, that has some great insights on how to live for Jesus.
September 10, 2025
Sensible, wise, and helpful.
November 17, 2025
Short, therefore not exhaustive, but helpfully pastoral.I recommend this book to any member of a church, not just ministry leaders.
November 18, 2025
practical and inspiring
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews