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Old Paths, New Power: Awakening Your Church through Prayer and the Ministry of the Word
From a recovering “leadershipaholic": our best model is the first one. With all our sleek ministry models, it’s a wonder our churches are declining—until we read Acts 6:4, “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word.” After a long, sometimes trying ministry journey, Daniel Henderson was relieved to discover what the apostles knew from the The main thing must stay the main thing. It worked in their pagan times, and it will in ours. Old Paths, New Reviving Our Churches through Prayer and the Ministry of the Word calls us back to the pray and proclaim the word. Henderson, who leads a growing church revival ministry, guides you through the essentials of sparking a spiritual Our churches don’t need fresh models and fancy things; they need the Holy Spirit, and He rains down when we pray and proclaim the word. Read Old Paths, New Power and follow God’s master plan.
271 pages, Paperback
Published June 7, 2016
80 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Henderson
37 books26 followersPastor, Preacher, Renewal Catalyst, Leadership Coach & Author who is passionate about personal renewal, congregational revival & leadership restoration.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 11, 2024
Whoah! This book really challenges the reader, specifically the elder/pastor/overseer, on his practice of ministry. With Acts 6:4 as the foundation Henderson puts before the pastor, the old path of prayer saturated, spirit empowered ministry that undermines our strengths and weaknesses and produces results that only come from the spirit of God to the glory of God. This book has already affected my life and ministry, and I'm sure it will be one that I refer to and recommend for many years to come. I am so glad I read it, and I think you should as well.
August 24, 2016
A great book that calls the church to engage the best path forward is to look back at what God did in the beginning. I recommend this book for all pastors, church leaders, and church members. Our power is and comes from God, not ourselves!
January 23, 2024
Some pretty good ideas here.
I would recommend this book to someone who wants to dive into the implications of Acts 6:4 in regard to pastoral ministry for the first time.
I would recommend this book to someone who wants to dive into the implications of Acts 6:4 in regard to pastoral ministry for the first time.
November 21, 2018
I had a hard time deciding whether this was a 3-star book or a 4-star book. The message is timely, and is certainly something our churches, pastors, and lay people need to take seriously. And, in reviewing the highlights I made in the book, I realize I had highlighted more than I had in any other book in recent memory. So that says something.
But in the end, I found it hard to read through the book. It just wasn't compelling (and I hesitate to write that lest someone accuse me of not valuing the importance of prayer), and much of the book seemed to repeat itself. Henderson talks about his penchant for leadership books and leadership gurus early in his career, often at the expense of true prayer and the working of the Holy Spirit. But ironically, I felt much of the book was just that - a "rah! rah!" speech coming from a leadership guru, as opposed to a real study on prayer. It almost felt like we were trying to manufacture a revival.
But I don't want to be overly harsh. Henderson has good things to say; important things for our time. And there is much to be gained from the book in terms of evaluating your life, and the life of your church, in regards to the amount of time spent prayer.
---------------
I noticed Amazon and Goodreads have a slightly different meanings to their 5-point scale. I thought it was odd to have a different rating for the same book on two different sites, so I came up with my own scale below. For the record, it is fairly close to Amazon's scale, but allows me to be consistent between the two sites.
5 - Fantastic. Life-altering. Maybe only 30 in a lifetime.
4 - Very good.
3 - Worth your time.
2 - Not very good.
1 - Atrocious.
But in the end, I found it hard to read through the book. It just wasn't compelling (and I hesitate to write that lest someone accuse me of not valuing the importance of prayer), and much of the book seemed to repeat itself. Henderson talks about his penchant for leadership books and leadership gurus early in his career, often at the expense of true prayer and the working of the Holy Spirit. But ironically, I felt much of the book was just that - a "rah! rah!" speech coming from a leadership guru, as opposed to a real study on prayer. It almost felt like we were trying to manufacture a revival.
But I don't want to be overly harsh. Henderson has good things to say; important things for our time. And there is much to be gained from the book in terms of evaluating your life, and the life of your church, in regards to the amount of time spent prayer.
---------------
I noticed Amazon and Goodreads have a slightly different meanings to their 5-point scale. I thought it was odd to have a different rating for the same book on two different sites, so I came up with my own scale below. For the record, it is fairly close to Amazon's scale, but allows me to be consistent between the two sites.
5 - Fantastic. Life-altering. Maybe only 30 in a lifetime.
4 - Very good.
3 - Worth your time.
2 - Not very good.
1 - Atrocious.
June 2, 2016
This wasn't a book that I could find myself getting interested in, as much as I tried . I wasn't able to finish it.
November 2, 2019
This was an extremely encouraging, challenging book. In summary, Henderson is calling the church back to Acts 6:4. The leaders focus on the ministry of prayer and the word and the saints are equipped for works of ministry. The heart of this book is a call back to prayer. The Acts 6:4 model is the Old Path. No, this is not a portrait of an idyllic 1st century faith. He points out that the struggles and challenges of the church then were as difficult as they are now, but the response was very different.
Instead of evangelical celebrities, catchy vision statements and measurable outcomes formulated by CEO types, the church needs to be lead by humble, praying, biblical fed men. Once we return to this old path we will see a revival of new prayer. Henderson reminds us we do not plan and promote revival. Revival is a gift God sends.
Henderson includes many examples where this old path is leading to new power. The old paths of New Testament leadership (Acts 6:4) will lead to new power. And the examples cover a great sample of various types and sizes of churches. So its not personality based, location, or denomination. It is a movement of God. Henderson also includes various shorter articles ranging from John Piper and Henry Blackaby to Francis Chan and Jim Cymbala, so again we are reminded this is God working through His church.
Henderson also pushes us to get beyond the prayer meeting organ recital (Joe's toe's and Danny's diabetes) to humble pleas of desperation and thanksgiving. NOTE: Henderson never says these types of prayer are not valid but prayer gatherings can be so much more. He gives a simple formula. God is worthy and I am needy. There are plenty of examples of prayer services, prayer gatherings etc. throughout the book. In the end Henderson calls us to prayer services that are Word Fed, Spirit Led and Worship Based.
This is not a book on how to grow a bigger church but a church of healthy, spiritually passionate disciples. He says "when prayer goes viral people are not excited about it 'prayer' but are infectious about him 'Him' (Jesus)".
Lord teach us to pray
Instead of evangelical celebrities, catchy vision statements and measurable outcomes formulated by CEO types, the church needs to be lead by humble, praying, biblical fed men. Once we return to this old path we will see a revival of new prayer. Henderson reminds us we do not plan and promote revival. Revival is a gift God sends.
Henderson includes many examples where this old path is leading to new power. The old paths of New Testament leadership (Acts 6:4) will lead to new power. And the examples cover a great sample of various types and sizes of churches. So its not personality based, location, or denomination. It is a movement of God. Henderson also includes various shorter articles ranging from John Piper and Henry Blackaby to Francis Chan and Jim Cymbala, so again we are reminded this is God working through His church.
Henderson also pushes us to get beyond the prayer meeting organ recital (Joe's toe's and Danny's diabetes) to humble pleas of desperation and thanksgiving. NOTE: Henderson never says these types of prayer are not valid but prayer gatherings can be so much more. He gives a simple formula. God is worthy and I am needy. There are plenty of examples of prayer services, prayer gatherings etc. throughout the book. In the end Henderson calls us to prayer services that are Word Fed, Spirit Led and Worship Based.
This is not a book on how to grow a bigger church but a church of healthy, spiritually passionate disciples. He says "when prayer goes viral people are not excited about it 'prayer' but are infectious about him 'Him' (Jesus)".
Lord teach us to pray
September 25, 2018
A recommendation from a pastor friend.
In one way, I really appreciated the book. It was incredibly convicting when it came to the need for prayer in my life and ministry. There is no denying that I lack in prayer. As we all know, humility and prayer are closely tied together. I have become a bit more aware of the pride and self-sufficiency that keeps me from engaging with God the way I should. Kudos to the author.
I really struggled though with a few concepts--
The idea of a transformational worship service didn't quite ring true with me. It reminded me of Keswick thinking and an almost unbiblical view of sanctification. While I know that God can work through emotional experiences, He more often changes the believer in the hurly-burly of everyday life.
I also keep struggling with the role of the Spirit in prayer. I don't know what I think about being "Spirit-led" in prayer and action. I believe that the Spirit works through the Word and opens my eyes to what God is saying. Henderson operates on the basis that the Spirit is giving Him new revelation to direction His actions. I don't know what to think of all that.
Over all the book was useful and I was thankful I spent some time in it. Now the big question is, "Will I be spending time with God?"
In one way, I really appreciated the book. It was incredibly convicting when it came to the need for prayer in my life and ministry. There is no denying that I lack in prayer. As we all know, humility and prayer are closely tied together. I have become a bit more aware of the pride and self-sufficiency that keeps me from engaging with God the way I should. Kudos to the author.
I really struggled though with a few concepts--
The idea of a transformational worship service didn't quite ring true with me. It reminded me of Keswick thinking and an almost unbiblical view of sanctification. While I know that God can work through emotional experiences, He more often changes the believer in the hurly-burly of everyday life.
I also keep struggling with the role of the Spirit in prayer. I don't know what I think about being "Spirit-led" in prayer and action. I believe that the Spirit works through the Word and opens my eyes to what God is saying. Henderson operates on the basis that the Spirit is giving Him new revelation to direction His actions. I don't know what to think of all that.
Over all the book was useful and I was thankful I spent some time in it. Now the big question is, "Will I be spending time with God?"
April 4, 2020
First, I am not a pastor, which seems to be who this book is addressed to. We got this book for free when we attended an event with Daniel. At first I found the book a bit depressing, but got less depressing as it went on and it is a good and well written book. I agree with what Daniel says and have felt frustrated over the years with having pastors who were not praying pastors. Even though it was written 4 years ago, it is quite relevant to today. It is so refreshing to actually have a pastor now who is a praying pastor! So for once I wasn't reading a book on prayer, wishing my church and pastor understood what Daniel is saying.
March 10, 2021
Daniel challenged me to keep the main thing the main thing. Depending on The Holy Spirit and prayer. God’s work is dependent on God.
“We have to determine that the Spirit is sufficient and prayer is going to do it. This is all it’s ever taken. That is when real things happen. That’s when we really see God move. That’s when we see the true, genuine fruit— the fruit that’s going to last.”
“We have to determine that the Spirit is sufficient and prayer is going to do it. This is all it’s ever taken. That is when real things happen. That’s when we really see God move. That’s when we see the true, genuine fruit— the fruit that’s going to last.”
January 20, 2024
Thought this book was just pretty average. The first half of the book was on prayer which I actually ended up enjoying a good bit but when he shifted to talk about preaching and revivals, I think he lost me. What I did really enjoy about this book was how many resources, quotes, snippets from other Christian’s in history, and short bios he used to show the resounding emphasis on prayer we need.
September 22, 2018
Even though I'm not a pastor, I was working for the church when I read it. The book took me deeper with Christ, and--little did I know--prepared me for my own ministry. Daniel Henderson is a great writer. The book is practical and transforming. Enjoy!
December 17, 2019
A good book on the need for pastors to return to the ministry of the word and prayer in their ministries. The first half to 2/3 of this book was very good. The end was just ok and didn’t seem like it belonged. Read this book like you eat chicken. Chew on the meat and spit out the bones.
May 17, 2024
Thankful for this book. Even before reading it, the conviction to pray was growing deeper, and deeper. It challenged my conviction even more deeply than I thought it would, and as a result, the time on my knees is greater, and I simply want more. I highly recommend this book.
February 15, 2019
A must read for ministers wanting to warm up their church and a vital read for Christians wanting to jazz up their spiritual life.
May 4, 2020
Great quotes and a good reminder of the importance of prayer. It is mostly written to pastors to encourage them to go back to "praying and preaching the word" Acts 6:4.
July 4, 2020
The core message of this book is addressed to church leaders and the role of prayer in the church. It served as a good reminder for me.
April 22, 2021
Prayer and The Ministry of the Word.
Lots of nuggets to remember and lots to apply. A great book to remind us of what should be our priority.
Lots of nuggets to remember and lots to apply. A great book to remind us of what should be our priority.
November 21, 2021
Love it!
This is a must read not only for pastors, but leaders as well.
This is a must read not only for pastors, but leaders as well.
January 31, 2023
This is a book I will return to again and again—a great reminder of the power and necessity of prayer and the Word in pastoral ministry.
October 10, 2023
Written to pastors but still a great read on a much needed subject.
January 3, 2024
Simple. Refreshing. Empowering. The church is called to be a house of prayer. Henderson inspired me in the pursuit of this reality.
February 17, 2025
Welcomed course correction from the pragmatism that plagues much of modern ministry.
December 5, 2025
A great resource for ministry and reminder of what’s important. I would recommend to any and all who want to see God move on earth
February 23, 2017
This book cut deep into my soul. I have been a pastor for over twenty years, and I know the importance of prayer, but my knowledge has rarely led to passion. My prayer life has been inconsistent and mostly anemic. This book has awakened my soul and has given me a thirst for God and his glory and a yearning to see the church awakened as well. The message of the book is simple: if we want to see God's power displayed first in the church and then in the world, pastors need to return to the basics of a commitment to prayer and the ministry of the word as modeled in Acts 6:1-7. The Holy Spirit has used this book to breathe fresh life into my stifled soul and to give me fresh hope for what God can and will do through my little church if I will commit myself to seeking his glory through prayer and ministry of the word. I wish I could have read this twenty years ago.
June 3, 2016
This book should go to the top of pastors' reading lists (after the Bible) and it's in pastors' interests that congregations as well catch the vision laid out in "Old Paths, New Power." Here's why: Western Evangelicalism today is oversaturated with information and programs (and yes, books!) and yet starving for help in prayer and applying the Bible. We gravitate toward what we understand best and prayer is something we don't really get. Henderson has made an impact in evangelicalism by giving practical, Biblical, and--thankfully--refreshing prayer help that Christians at all levels of church life long for but haven't known how to grasp. In "Old Paths, New Power," he offers a New Testament solution to the insidious lack of reliance on God that has permeated the church. His diagnosis rings true: Our natural tendency is to leverage our knowledge and abilities as a church so that we can be productive, rather than to exchange that for prayer that worships God for who He is and depends on Him for what He can do. However, the humility and adoration that worship requires is the key to glorifying God. Many books on prayer may acknowledge as much, but what sets "Old Paths, New Power" apart is its ability to help the church in both the motivations and methods needed for cultivating a praying church. Henderson gives exhortation rooted in Scriptural insights and identifies church habits that can repel significant prayer ministry. Where the book really shines, though, is in Henderson's down-to-earth and much-needed practical wisdom in cultivating the Scripture-fed, Spirit-led, worship-based, corporate prayer for which he is known. Each chapter also includes links to helpful pastoral insights within the 6:4 Fellowship, a network of pastors devoted to prayer and the ministry of the word. Henderson's voice is needed in the church today to rally us to Godward devotion and humility. He shares with us his pastor's heart, humbled and held rapt by God's worthiness, longing for God's people to know and depend on Him like never before.
"Old Paths, New Power" is a radical return to New Testament insights for direct, practical application, and it contains the best strategy for reviving our stagnating churches. This is a must-read if you are weary of being unable to bridge the gap between the importance of prayer and a vibrant expression of it. "Old Paths, New Power" can help churches operate and cooperate for the glory of God rather than the mere efforts of man.
"Old Paths, New Power" is a radical return to New Testament insights for direct, practical application, and it contains the best strategy for reviving our stagnating churches. This is a must-read if you are weary of being unable to bridge the gap between the importance of prayer and a vibrant expression of it. "Old Paths, New Power" can help churches operate and cooperate for the glory of God rather than the mere efforts of man.
July 28, 2016
One church has Christian programs. The other develops a Christian culture with prayer and the word.
What is the difference between Christian programs and a Christian culture. One is rooted in the working of the Holy Spirit and a desperation to see the face of God. This study is geared towards leadership in the church however, as a church member, we need to identify the difference between the culture and just another program. Just to be clear this is not bashing programs, but it is taking into consideration that we put our dependence on programs and men and not on the Holy Spirit.
We were created to have intimacy with God thru prayer and the ministry of the word. We should be desperate for it. Old Paths is a representation of Acts 6:4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” This act of the early Christians caused a growth and a steady faith. It is a high view of prayer and scripture. Prayer is God focused and not on the work of men.
Some of the quotes that I found encouraging.
I have defined love as an act of self-sacrifice, flowing from the heart, produced by the Holy Spirit for the good of others and the Glory of God.
News Flash! When we stand before Christ there will be no mention of attendance, budget and buildings.
Christ who is undeniably powerful and present in the lives of His people. This is the realty of the glory of God, that is, the magnification of the person of Christ by His people and the manifestation of the presence of Christ within His people.
We don't need something new. We need the Holy Spirit and a desperation for the Lord. Not get something but to get Him alone. It starts with the leadership of the church. It is caught not taught. I would agree that this study will capture you to the heart of God for those that seek Him.
A Special Thank You to Moody Publisher and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
What is the difference between Christian programs and a Christian culture. One is rooted in the working of the Holy Spirit and a desperation to see the face of God. This study is geared towards leadership in the church however, as a church member, we need to identify the difference between the culture and just another program. Just to be clear this is not bashing programs, but it is taking into consideration that we put our dependence on programs and men and not on the Holy Spirit.
We were created to have intimacy with God thru prayer and the ministry of the word. We should be desperate for it. Old Paths is a representation of Acts 6:4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” This act of the early Christians caused a growth and a steady faith. It is a high view of prayer and scripture. Prayer is God focused and not on the work of men.
Some of the quotes that I found encouraging.
I have defined love as an act of self-sacrifice, flowing from the heart, produced by the Holy Spirit for the good of others and the Glory of God.
News Flash! When we stand before Christ there will be no mention of attendance, budget and buildings.
Christ who is undeniably powerful and present in the lives of His people. This is the realty of the glory of God, that is, the magnification of the person of Christ by His people and the manifestation of the presence of Christ within His people.
We don't need something new. We need the Holy Spirit and a desperation for the Lord. Not get something but to get Him alone. It starts with the leadership of the church. It is caught not taught. I would agree that this study will capture you to the heart of God for those that seek Him.
A Special Thank You to Moody Publisher and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
November 22, 2021
Solid read. Nothing crazy—just a good, solid reminder of some old truths. Encouraging and challenging.
September 25, 2024
This Book Wrecked Me
I usually buy books only when they are on sale. I got some Amazon money for Christmas, and was buying a lot of books for my Kindle app, when I came across this book at regular price. I felt impressed that I needed to buy this book and read it immediately. It was a gentle, but clear nudge by the Holy Spirit.
I am so glad that I did.
I am a pastor of a small church with barely a dozen people, and it has been very easy to get discouraged by our lack of people, property, and resources. But this book reminded me where our real resources are to be found. The simple call back to prayer and the ministry of the word has broken me down, worked me over, and set me on a clear path forward. This may be one of the most significant books I have ever read in my own ministry formation. It certainly could not have been more timely.
I highly recommend this book. I wish I could have given it six stars. I am an adjunct professor at a Christian college, and I believe this book should be required reading for anyone and everyone who aspires to the work of the ministry. It's that good. It's that important. Get it. Read it. Share it. You'll be glad that you did.
I usually buy books only when they are on sale. I got some Amazon money for Christmas, and was buying a lot of books for my Kindle app, when I came across this book at regular price. I felt impressed that I needed to buy this book and read it immediately. It was a gentle, but clear nudge by the Holy Spirit.
I am so glad that I did.
I am a pastor of a small church with barely a dozen people, and it has been very easy to get discouraged by our lack of people, property, and resources. But this book reminded me where our real resources are to be found. The simple call back to prayer and the ministry of the word has broken me down, worked me over, and set me on a clear path forward. This may be one of the most significant books I have ever read in my own ministry formation. It certainly could not have been more timely.
I highly recommend this book. I wish I could have given it six stars. I am an adjunct professor at a Christian college, and I believe this book should be required reading for anyone and everyone who aspires to the work of the ministry. It's that good. It's that important. Get it. Read it. Share it. You'll be glad that you did.
June 7, 2016
This book is a call back to the basics of the faith. In a world full of concepts and programs for numerical and spiritual growth in the church Daniel Henderson reminds us that the early church thrived in hostile environment because they remained focused. The public proclamation of the word of God and the fervent prayer of the saints are the two best places for a church to focus their time and effort.. Read this book and declutter your life and ministry.
January 18, 2018
A friend has been encouraging me for while to read this book and I'm so glad I did. It's just what I needed to inspire me at the beginning of the year to pray more. It is a long reflection on Acts 6:4 with helpful articles from other writers throughout the book. I always love hearing about 'Revivals' and the book has some good stuff on them. Highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews