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Power in Weakness: Paul’s Transformed Vision for Ministry
Envisioning cruciform community built on resurrection hope After Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, he turned from coercion and violence to a ministry centered on the hope of Christ’s resurrection. In earthly terms, Paul had traded power for weakness. But—as he explained in his subsequent letters—this “weakness” was actually the key to flourishing community that is able to experience God’s transformation, restoration, and healing. What would it mean for pastors today to take seriously Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 11:1 to “imitate me as I imitate Christ” and lead their congregations in this way? Instead of drawing leadership principles and practices from the worlds of business, education, and politics—which tend to orient churches around institutional power and image maintenance—Timothy Gombis follows Paul in resisting the influence of the “present evil age” by making cruciformity the operating principle of the church. Gombis guides the reader through practices and patterns that can lead a congregation past a focus on individual salvation, toward becoming instead a site of resurrection power on earth.
192 pages, Paperback
Published February 2, 2021
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253 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 14, 2024
I personally think anyone in ministry should read this. Gombis goes into what cruciform ministry looks like and explains it very practically. Whenever I hear about how our lives should model the cross I never quite know what they're talking about or what it actually looks like. Tim is very specific and challenging, drawing his ideas from Pauline Epistles. I wish I had read this a long time ago.
February 2, 2021
Using worldly means to accomplish heavenly ends is a persistent temptation for pastors. Today, it takes the form of corporate business models. In Paul’s day, especially at Corinth, it was professional rhetoric models that emphasized “wisdom” and “power.” Church members not only expected their pastors to have these qualities, but they also fought over which pastors had them in greatest measure.
Paul offers a standing rebuke to all forms of this temptation in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “But [the Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
The title of Timothy G. Gombis’ excellent new book, Power in Weakness, alludes to this verse. The book offers “an extended meditation on the dynamics of power and weakness in pastoral ministry,” based on Paul’s letters and his portrayal in the Book of Acts.
Paul offers a standing rebuke to all forms of this temptation in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “But [the Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
The title of Timothy G. Gombis’ excellent new book, Power in Weakness, alludes to this verse. The book offers “an extended meditation on the dynamics of power and weakness in pastoral ministry,” based on Paul’s letters and his portrayal in the Book of Acts.
At 184 pages, Power in Weakness is small, but its potential to reshape the pastoral imagination is large.
In the Introduction, Gombis highlights four key features of his approach to the topic:
First, he reflects on “the changes that took place in Paul’s approach to ministry after his conversion.” This might strike some readers as strange. Did Paul have a pre-conversion approach to ministry? Yes! According to Gombis, “Paul was vigorously engaged in attempting to bring about resurrection in life for God’s people on earth.”
When Jesus entered the very resurrection life Paul so assiduously sought, the content and manner of Paul’s ministry had to change. Paul’s ministry became “cruciform,” that is, cross shaped.
Gombis acknowledges his debt to Michael J. Gorman, who wrote the book’s Foreword, for the term cruciform. Gombis writes, “Cruciformity has a ‘narrative pattern,’ identifying the movement of Jesus from having all privileges to his refusal to exploit them for gain to his self-expenditure and his willingly going to the point of death on a cross.” That is the weakness God fills with His own power.
Second, Gombis situates the Church’s ministry “within a cosmically contested situation.” For Paul, as for other Jews of his day, there is more to life than the human and mundane.
Prior to the Damascus Road, Paul believed the coming Messiah would immediately overthrow His enemies and establish God’s kingdom with all its benefits. After the Damascus Road, Paul realized Christ inaugurated God’s kingdom in the midst of “this age” and will consummate “the age to come” at His Second Coming. The Church now lives in tension between those two ages.
Third, for Gombis, the Church is “the place on earth where God resides.” That is to say, “The very power that raised Jesus from the dead now fills and pervades churches that gather in the name of Jesus.” Consequently, churches cannot act as if they are simply one social organization among many others. They are unique and must live out the distinctiveness of their cruciform calling in the midst of a dying world.
Fourth, Gombis “goes beyond mining the ‘Pastoral Epistles’ … to reflect theologically on the entire New Testament portrait of Paul.” This is where the rubber meets the road, where we see how Paul’s theological vision shaped his pastoral practice.
Gombis focuses especially on the temptations of “coercive power,” “image maintenance,” and “credential accumulation.” He also notes how cruciformity changes the way pastors approach preaching, church discipline, “big” sins, and personal limitations.
Even the definition of leadership changes, according to Gombis:
"While we may speak of pastoral ministry in leadership terms, we would do well to be watchful for the worldly ideologies and practices that may be contained in the language. The pastoral task involves nurture and cultivation of communities to take the corporate shape of the cross so that they put themselves in a position to draw upon the life of God as he pours out resurrection power among them."
I highly recommend Power in Weakness to pastors. As ministers of the gospel, our theology needs to shape our practices if our ministries are to have integrity. Timothy G. Gombis adeptly shows how Paul modeled such integrity.
I would not recommend pastors read this book alone, however. Read it with the church members you labor alongside, especially board members and key volunteers. It is not just the pastor’s ministry vision that needs transformation, after all. It is the whole church’s.
Book Reviewed
Timothy G. Gombis, Power in Weakness: Paul’s Transformed Vision for Ministry (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2021).
P.S. If you liked my review, please click “Helpful” on my Amazon review page.
P.P.S. I wrote this review for InfluenceMagazine.com. It appears here with permission.
August 28, 2022
“Paul and the Power of Weakness” surprised and encouraged me! I believe this is an important book and one that I wish many would read with a prayerfully open heart and mind. It is easy to read and has deep biblical substance and relatability There were many pages where I highlighted whole paragraphs and wrote “Yes!” In the margins.
In short, this book is an exploration of how epiphanies Paul gained from his experience on the Damascus road shaped how God would use him to pastor (shepherd) the early church and how this compares and contrasts with modern models of church leadership and visions for growth. It exposes some hard and hurtful truths of misguided church models, but offers a hopeful view of what could be if we take Paul’s inspired teaching and relational posture to heart. I also really like the part about Paul’s letter to Philemon regarding his slave Onesimus. It confirmed something I have been wondering about for a while. Fantastic!
In short, this book is an exploration of how epiphanies Paul gained from his experience on the Damascus road shaped how God would use him to pastor (shepherd) the early church and how this compares and contrasts with modern models of church leadership and visions for growth. It exposes some hard and hurtful truths of misguided church models, but offers a hopeful view of what could be if we take Paul’s inspired teaching and relational posture to heart. I also really like the part about Paul’s letter to Philemon regarding his slave Onesimus. It confirmed something I have been wondering about for a while. Fantastic!
February 12, 2022
Important work regarding pastoral ministry. Gombis helps reorient Paul’s ministry around the cross of Christ as opposed to contemporary dynamics of leadership and power. His approach is both thoroughly theological & practical.
Would have loved for Gombis to expand upon his epilogue. Vital perspective for clergy of color & women in ministry to consider.
Would have loved for Gombis to expand upon his epilogue. Vital perspective for clergy of color & women in ministry to consider.
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May 20, 2023“Churches enjoy the superabundant realities of heaven by enacting cross-oriented community behaviors that we find throughout the Gospels and Paul’s letters: confession of sin and forgiveness, service to one another, self-giving love embodied through meeting one another’s needs and offering hospitality to one another—especially to those on the margins of our communities.”, p. 48
May 9, 2021
The author develops a vision of ministry by focusing on Paul's practices and vision of ministry as expressed in his letters. There is value in doing so, but I'm not sure what to do with the book. While he helpfully speaks to a vision of ministry that de-emphasizes power, I'm wondering how helpful the book will be. In one sense he's speaking to larger, white, evangelical churches where male power dynamics are in play. But, for women and clergy of color living and working in predominantly white denominations/congregations this can be problematic.
In the epilogue, he finally admits that he writes from the perspective of a white male to other white males. I wish he had self-identified and clarified at the beginning of the book. Had he done so, if he had acknowledged his privilege up front I might have read him differently. Telling me that in the epilogue won't cut it.
So, there is value here, but maybe read the epilogue first!
In the epilogue, he finally admits that he writes from the perspective of a white male to other white males. I wish he had self-identified and clarified at the beginning of the book. Had he done so, if he had acknowledged his privilege up front I might have read him differently. Telling me that in the epilogue won't cut it.
So, there is value here, but maybe read the epilogue first!
December 15, 2022
This is an excellent resource detailing how we should posture ourselves for the task of ministry. I would recommend it to all Christians, but especially to pastors and ministers. Tim’s primary thesis (and I’m calling him by his first name per his own request in the book 😉) is that Paul’s conversion to Christ on the road to Damascus led Paul to conceive of ministry in a radically new way. Paul learned that ministers should not be characterized by dominance, popularity, credentials, or accolades—but by weakness, humility, and cruciformity. God’s power of resurrection life is poured out precisely on those who take up their cross and follow Jesus in a posture of self-emptying love and sacrificial service.
This book is highly practical, and geared toward a more popular audience; thus, it is not as technical and/or exegetical as some of Tim’s other works. Nevertheless, it is thoroughly biblical, and clearly informed by thoughtful research and prayerful study. Much of Tim’s theology is reminiscent of Michael Gorman’s work on kenosis and cruciformity in Paul. I would highly recommend Gorman to anyone interested in a more dense and technical study of the theology of cruciformity introduced in Tim’s book. However, Tim does an outstanding job at considering the implications of this theology within various ministerial contexts, offering remarkably practical application.
Tim ends the book with a helpful epilogue in which he considers how the message of cruciformity might speak to ministers from marginalized communities—those who already face significant disadvantages in ministry due to their race, gender, etc. The Christian call to cruciformity has often been weaponized by privileged people groups in an attempt to perpetuate their privilege (e.g., slave-owners preaching cruciformity to the enslaved). This is a valid concern, and Tim addresses it with a great deal of wisdom, nuance, and sensitivity.
My only quibble is that the book feels quite redundant at times, like the work of a student who is trying to reach the required word count for an essay. But that is a small price to pay for what is ultimately a rich, substantive, and invaluable resource for ministry. Will be recommending this to many friends.
This book is highly practical, and geared toward a more popular audience; thus, it is not as technical and/or exegetical as some of Tim’s other works. Nevertheless, it is thoroughly biblical, and clearly informed by thoughtful research and prayerful study. Much of Tim’s theology is reminiscent of Michael Gorman’s work on kenosis and cruciformity in Paul. I would highly recommend Gorman to anyone interested in a more dense and technical study of the theology of cruciformity introduced in Tim’s book. However, Tim does an outstanding job at considering the implications of this theology within various ministerial contexts, offering remarkably practical application.
Tim ends the book with a helpful epilogue in which he considers how the message of cruciformity might speak to ministers from marginalized communities—those who already face significant disadvantages in ministry due to their race, gender, etc. The Christian call to cruciformity has often been weaponized by privileged people groups in an attempt to perpetuate their privilege (e.g., slave-owners preaching cruciformity to the enslaved). This is a valid concern, and Tim addresses it with a great deal of wisdom, nuance, and sensitivity.
My only quibble is that the book feels quite redundant at times, like the work of a student who is trying to reach the required word count for an essay. But that is a small price to pay for what is ultimately a rich, substantive, and invaluable resource for ministry. Will be recommending this to many friends.
March 22, 2021
Gombis applies Paul's cruciform vision for ministry to modern ministry. The first half is an extended setup that could easily be summed up in two sentences: (1) We can learn about Paul's vision for ministry in Acts and all his epistles (not only his pastoral letters) because instead of setting out to write theological treatises he wrote to help churches navigate conflict. (2) Both before and after his conversion, Paul was on a mission for the Resurrection (even as a Pharisee) but at his conversion his method changed to be cruciform, finding power in weakness.
The chapters in the second half of the book get into the meat: the cosmic reach of the Resurrection, cruciformity and image maintenance (through Paul's social media of letters), cruciformity and credential accumulation, how cruciformity is not being a passive doormat, and Paul's vision for mutuality in ministry.
The chapters in the second half of the book get into the meat: the cosmic reach of the Resurrection, cruciformity and image maintenance (through Paul's social media of letters), cruciformity and credential accumulation, how cruciformity is not being a passive doormat, and Paul's vision for mutuality in ministry.
May 25, 2021
Many of us understand there to be a distinction between the role of a preacher and that of a pastor. Do not let that hang up keep you from benefitting from this book. It is well written and much needed in today's climate. Gombis does not write another book on ministry from the perspective of Timothy and Titus but from the letters in which Paul is doing heavy ministry lifting. There are some excellent reminders of what ministers need to be thinking, praying, and doing. Gombis does this by looking at Paul's work before and after his conversion. It is a perspective I had never considered.
It is always helpful to be reminded that this is not just another job in which we seek to climb the ranks. It is about God and others!
It is always helpful to be reminded that this is not just another job in which we seek to climb the ranks. It is about God and others!
July 17, 2023
The author circled around a lot of his already-established thoughts throughout the book and unnecessarily sidetracked himself trying to explain off some of Paul's more confrontational writing, but the core ideas were fantastic and challenging. We are constantly threatened with viewing our churches like businesses and our pastors like CEOs, but the contrast between the 2 is directly paralleled by the differences between pre-conversion Saul and post-conversion Paul. The lessons from Gombis' tour of Paul's writings have lifelong ministry applications regarding this which I'll always carry with me.
April 5, 2021
I want to give this book 5 stars, but I can't. Gombis does an amazing job of articulating the thorough transformation of Paul's understanding and experience of kingdom, ministry, and what constitutes a "sinner", and salvation. Unfortunately, however, Gombis does not display the same level of thoughtful engagement with his understanding of the contemporary church, and as a result his description and analysis is overly cynically and not well-nuanced. That being said, this book is an excellent analysis of Paul's transformed view of ministry, based on the cross of Christ.
March 1, 2023
Gombis’ work here is succinct and potent in detailing the shift in Paul’s ministry practice from being a zealous, prestigious Pharisee to becoming an unimpressive prisoner for Christ. I really enjoyed his details on the cosmic arena in Paul’s thought as well as detailing Paul’s language on the present age and age to come. Gombis offers some very thought provoking reflections for pastors throughout that serves well for the considerations of anyone involved in capacities within their local congregation.
July 25, 2023
Just because it's simple doesn't mean it's easy.
Gombis lays out the rather un-American take that God's power comes through weakness and death in line with the model of Jesus the Christ on the cross. He uses the Apostle Paul as his subject matter and argues from his writings rather than Gombis' own. The conclusion is concerning in that it reveals culture has conditioned much of our reading of how God works in the world. American pastors, like St. Paul, need a transformed vision for ministry in the power of God.
2 Corinthians 12:9 figures large in my own life and ministry.
Gombis lays out the rather un-American take that God's power comes through weakness and death in line with the model of Jesus the Christ on the cross. He uses the Apostle Paul as his subject matter and argues from his writings rather than Gombis' own. The conclusion is concerning in that it reveals culture has conditioned much of our reading of how God works in the world. American pastors, like St. Paul, need a transformed vision for ministry in the power of God.
2 Corinthians 12:9 figures large in my own life and ministry.
March 1, 2024
This is an excellent book that will challenge readers to rethink their understanding of both church communities and their leadership. Through a careful study of Paul, Gombis argues for an understanding of leadership in which resurrection power is exercised through human weakness. In doing so he raises profound questions about current American church practice both in congregational life and leadership. Although I have not been able to fully process where I agree and disagree with the author, this is a book that deserves to be read by pastors who are serious about leading as Paul led.
July 31, 2024
An eye opener for leadership in ministry
Our pastor at the young adults invited the volunteers to study this book together once a month. It has been deeply enriching for us as we see Paul model leadership as God intends for His church! It identifies how the world sees leadership and how church leaders can fall into this mistake. Paul’s life certainly turned upside down and his worldview was shaken. It is encouraging and inspiring to read this book, and it communicates concepts simply and plainly even to those of us who didn’t go into seminary. Truly humbling and helpful.
Our pastor at the young adults invited the volunteers to study this book together once a month. It has been deeply enriching for us as we see Paul model leadership as God intends for His church! It identifies how the world sees leadership and how church leaders can fall into this mistake. Paul’s life certainly turned upside down and his worldview was shaken. It is encouraging and inspiring to read this book, and it communicates concepts simply and plainly even to those of us who didn’t go into seminary. Truly humbling and helpful.
September 2, 2021
A necessary work of pastoral theology
I really enjoyed this book. Gombis clearly articulated how Paul’s vision of power through weakness should and must be inhabited by those in ministry. Furthermore, Gombis incisively critiques the all too common ways that we don’t live out a cross-shaped ministry. This book was both convicting and inspiring. It left me wanting to be a more faithful shepherd.
I really enjoyed this book. Gombis clearly articulated how Paul’s vision of power through weakness should and must be inhabited by those in ministry. Furthermore, Gombis incisively critiques the all too common ways that we don’t live out a cross-shaped ministry. This book was both convicting and inspiring. It left me wanting to be a more faithful shepherd.
December 31, 2021
An absolutely phenomenal book. I had the honor of being one of Tim Gombis's students in seminary. He has challenged my thinking in numerous ways that have caused me to grow and understand my call as a Christ-follower and as a pastor. I am so grateful for this book in how it illustrates how cruciformity is played out in the pastoral role. It was encouraging and challenging. I look forward to reading this again.
February 21, 2022
(I read this for class) While I think the message of this book is really important for Christianity, the writing style did not hit well with me. The main idea was just repeated over and over and over without really any new information throughout the book. Yes, that really send the message home, but the rewording of the same exact sentence gets very boring. Again- I did love the message, this is just a qualm with the writing.
October 4, 2023
This book was incredible. Gombis is a great scholar. He handles scripture very carefully and allows and helps us with contextualizing it in our contemporary context. It really spoke to my experiences in pastoral ministry. Though I am not a pastor I have been in very close proximity with Pastor’s my entire life. I’ve never read Paul in the way that Gombis points out Paul’s ministry. I will be returning to this book again and probably again if the Lord would ever call me to pastoral ministry.
July 29, 2021
A great exploration of the implications of Paul's "conversion" as it relates to modern-day ministry work. Super readable, but seasoned with deep theological reflection.
Full review forthcoming for Englewood Review of Books...
Full review forthcoming for Englewood Review of Books...
December 26, 2022
An incredible application of Cruciformity to the work of pastoral ministry. I wish this book were required reading for every Bible college and seminary. It speaks with courage, conviction, hope, and encouragement, and paints a refreshing vision of what the pastoral vocation is supposed to be.
April 15, 2021
Very helpful and timely. Lots to ponder for all involved in Christian ministry.
October 29, 2021
gr8 encouragement and unique perspective on Paul's ministry.
February 15, 2022
It was amazing to see how Paul's ministry can be applied especially in our social media world. The book met my expectations.
February 13, 2023
Parts of this book felt very slow and repetitive. Gombis has good insight and includes lots of Scripture (which is very good).
November 20, 2023
A solid book that has strong implications for the pastoral imagination that is tempted to see things (as we all are, regardless of social location) from a worldly point of view.
May 16, 2024
A must read for anyone in full-time vocational ministry.
September 14, 2025
Vital for anyone in ministry. What an incisive, Christlike little book.
July 5, 2021
An excellent read on Paul’s life and ministry vision in light of Christ and the cross. Paul’s vision is one of Power in Weakness, a place where the first become last and the last first. Gombis suggest that we should apply Paul’s vision of cruciform servant hood to contemporary ministry. I agree! This is a shift in focus from the many ministry leadership models that use power over methods to control and lead the church. Instead we are called to be servants, who come along side in weakness and point the congregation toward the true shepherd Jesus.
May 3, 2021
Tim does a good job sharing how the cross influenced the life of Paul. The cross was not “a part” of Paul’s life but “THE WHOLE” of Paul’s life. Paul lived a cruciform life and the power of God rested on him because that’s the life Jesus modeled for us to live. I was greatly challenged and have seen a biblical view of weakness and power.
“The mystery that Paul discovers—the secret power of the wonder of cruciformity—is that because God poured out resurrection life on Jesus when he went to the cross, God likewise pours out resurrection wherever a person’s life is shaped by the shame and humiliation of the cross.”
“The mystery that Paul discovers—the secret power of the wonder of cruciformity—is that because God poured out resurrection life on Jesus when he went to the cross, God likewise pours out resurrection wherever a person’s life is shaped by the shame and humiliation of the cross.”
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews