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Sacred Smallness: Finding Kingdom Greatness in a Fruitful, Hidden Life
I asked God for a mic, and He gave me a broom!'
Have you noticed Jesus’ kingdom is upside down? To be first, you must be last. To find your life, you must lose it. To receive, you must give. And to lead, you must follow.
Jenny Kutz Papapostolou, who accepted God’s assignment to run a children’s home in Greece, knows from experience that to achieve greatness in God’s Kingdom, you must first learn humility.
In Sacred Smallness, Jenny points out that, while Christian culture often heralds fame and wealth as the ultimate success, God is delighted in humble surrender—even when it leads to sacred smallness and holy hiddenness.
The granddaughter of well-known ministers Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Jenny observed firsthand that successful ministry actually begins in servanthood and
The best place to be faithful is wherever God has put you, there is power in surrender Our call from Jesus is to abide in the VineAbout living a life of poured out worshipHow to identify and remove idols that block you from God’s highest and bestTrue excitement and success await in your God-destined place, and it all begins with a heart toward God.
Have you noticed Jesus’ kingdom is upside down? To be first, you must be last. To find your life, you must lose it. To receive, you must give. And to lead, you must follow.
Jenny Kutz Papapostolou, who accepted God’s assignment to run a children’s home in Greece, knows from experience that to achieve greatness in God’s Kingdom, you must first learn humility.
In Sacred Smallness, Jenny points out that, while Christian culture often heralds fame and wealth as the ultimate success, God is delighted in humble surrender—even when it leads to sacred smallness and holy hiddenness.
The granddaughter of well-known ministers Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Jenny observed firsthand that successful ministry actually begins in servanthood and
The best place to be faithful is wherever God has put you, there is power in surrender Our call from Jesus is to abide in the VineAbout living a life of poured out worshipHow to identify and remove idols that block you from God’s highest and bestTrue excitement and success await in your God-destined place, and it all begins with a heart toward God.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2022
214 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 21, 2025
A beautiful, little read about humility, contentedness, and following God’s will for our lives. She wrote about leadership in a way that I needed to hear right now.
“This is not your assignment. You need to step back and empower them to lead…Trust the gifts and grace that God has put in people around you.”
“I’m not producing enough,” “I have to do more,” “I have to accomplish my life list.” This isn’t a holy drive; it’s one that is uncomfortable with stillness.
“This is not your assignment. You need to step back and empower them to lead…Trust the gifts and grace that God has put in people around you.”
“I’m not producing enough,” “I have to do more,” “I have to accomplish my life list.” This isn’t a holy drive; it’s one that is uncomfortable with stillness.
November 20, 2023
As a young adult, Jenny thought that serving God meant a high-profile position in Christian service. She came to realize that it is often in the unheralded, hidden forms of service that we achieve God's purposes. The author is the granddaughter of Kenneth Copeland, a televangelist known for his flamboyance and health and wealth gospel teachings. Jenny has not followed this path in her own beliefs and practices. She runs a children's home in Greece. My one disappointment with the book was that I was hoping to hear more of her experiences with the children's home, but she mentions it only briefly.
April 14, 2023
Goals
November 7, 2025
This book felt like my heart put into words. I highlighed nearly half of it. It wasn’t dense in theology but read more like a testimonial or memoir of an honest Christian journey. Jenny (going to address her by her first name because she feels like my friend hehe) has put into words what I believe is at the heart of a true follower of Christ.
This year, the Lord has placed this prayer in my heart: "I just want to be where you want me to be, Lord." And I feel like this book gave me weight to what that prayer actually looks like, as well as refining questions when considering my personal motives to what I hope my life will look like.
I deeply appreciated Jenny's perspective on breaking through the facade of loud speech and bold statements, and instead embracing the quiet yet powerful strength of mustard seed faith. She beautifully describes how the Lord guides us into the satisfaction of sacred smallness. My prayer echoes this sentiment—that I find satisfaction in the life God has willed for me, whether that means serving overseas or working a 9-to-5 job in America. As Jenny writes, "Sacred smallness and holy hiddenness, both are beautiful if the goal is to simply, simply love Jesus." The book consistently reminds us that pleasing God is not about social status, fame, or our personal definitions of "success," but rather the posture of our hearts.
"The motive should not be success, but rather fruitfulness."
"When we speak of success in the Kingdom of God, it is simply this: saying yes and following whatever assignment the Lord puts in your hand."
One line that really struck me was, "An idol is convenient." This made me pause and reflect. So often, I chase after things for my own instant gratification. I realize how I cheapen myself by pursuing meaningless and fleeting desires, when the true treasure of Jesus is everlasting and worth infinitely more. I want my heart to strive above what is convenient.
"Trust the gifts and grace that God has put in people around you." This is a truth I need to remind myself of. I can’t—and shouldn’t—do it all, though I often feel pressured to. This truth unburdens me from unnecessary pressures and calls me higher to trust in the One who is MORE than able.
A lesson I've been striving to learn is contentment. Some of Jenny's quotes on this really spoke to me:
"The yoke of our being must find its settled rest and satisfaction in God alone. That is contentment."
"The unsatisfied heart is an idol factory, constantly setting up new objects to obtain in hopes of finding satisfaction that can only be found in God."
Jenny also articulated something I’ve been trying to express for months: "I think many times people say following God is out of their comfort zone. But the reality is, not following God is what’s truly out of our comfort zone, because of the peace that following God brings. I have tried living outside of His will, and the lack of peace wasn’t worth it."
My favorite chapter was "Abide in the Vine." Jenny explains the John 15:1-8 passage so wonderfully, highlighting the importance of each season and how essential it is to go through them faithfully to be truly fruitful. Every season is vital to the harvest. She also points out that the fruit produced in our lives is not solely for ourselves but for His people.
"I'm as fruitful sitting still as I am going 150 miles per hour, as long as I'm abiding."
I did take off one star because Jenny made several "This is _____" statements that, from my understanding, weren't theologically accurate. For example, she says, "This is the simple Gospel: simply sitting, simply loving, simply cherishing—first Jesus, then our neighbor." I think in many ways the RESULT of the gospel are these things, but by no means can be dwindled down to such statement.
This year, the Lord has placed this prayer in my heart: "I just want to be where you want me to be, Lord." And I feel like this book gave me weight to what that prayer actually looks like, as well as refining questions when considering my personal motives to what I hope my life will look like.
I deeply appreciated Jenny's perspective on breaking through the facade of loud speech and bold statements, and instead embracing the quiet yet powerful strength of mustard seed faith. She beautifully describes how the Lord guides us into the satisfaction of sacred smallness. My prayer echoes this sentiment—that I find satisfaction in the life God has willed for me, whether that means serving overseas or working a 9-to-5 job in America. As Jenny writes, "Sacred smallness and holy hiddenness, both are beautiful if the goal is to simply, simply love Jesus." The book consistently reminds us that pleasing God is not about social status, fame, or our personal definitions of "success," but rather the posture of our hearts.
"The motive should not be success, but rather fruitfulness."
"When we speak of success in the Kingdom of God, it is simply this: saying yes and following whatever assignment the Lord puts in your hand."
One line that really struck me was, "An idol is convenient." This made me pause and reflect. So often, I chase after things for my own instant gratification. I realize how I cheapen myself by pursuing meaningless and fleeting desires, when the true treasure of Jesus is everlasting and worth infinitely more. I want my heart to strive above what is convenient.
"Trust the gifts and grace that God has put in people around you." This is a truth I need to remind myself of. I can’t—and shouldn’t—do it all, though I often feel pressured to. This truth unburdens me from unnecessary pressures and calls me higher to trust in the One who is MORE than able.
A lesson I've been striving to learn is contentment. Some of Jenny's quotes on this really spoke to me:
"The yoke of our being must find its settled rest and satisfaction in God alone. That is contentment."
"The unsatisfied heart is an idol factory, constantly setting up new objects to obtain in hopes of finding satisfaction that can only be found in God."
Jenny also articulated something I’ve been trying to express for months: "I think many times people say following God is out of their comfort zone. But the reality is, not following God is what’s truly out of our comfort zone, because of the peace that following God brings. I have tried living outside of His will, and the lack of peace wasn’t worth it."
My favorite chapter was "Abide in the Vine." Jenny explains the John 15:1-8 passage so wonderfully, highlighting the importance of each season and how essential it is to go through them faithfully to be truly fruitful. Every season is vital to the harvest. She also points out that the fruit produced in our lives is not solely for ourselves but for His people.
"I'm as fruitful sitting still as I am going 150 miles per hour, as long as I'm abiding."
I did take off one star because Jenny made several "This is _____" statements that, from my understanding, weren't theologically accurate. For example, she says, "This is the simple Gospel: simply sitting, simply loving, simply cherishing—first Jesus, then our neighbor." I think in many ways the RESULT of the gospel are these things, but by no means can be dwindled down to such statement.
January 5, 2023
I really enjoyed this book and her use of life experiences in encouraging us readers. I underlined a lot of good quotes and highlighted scripture used. If you are in the season of life where you’re trying to figure out your purpose or you are questioning where God has you, read this book. It’s 201pgs (not including the Epilogue), and 8 Chapters. A good bite sized read but impactful. Also beautiful for a coffee table book!
October 23, 2024
I hated this book. While some of what she said was true, her voice seemed so critical and judgmental. I got halfway through and then tried to read the beginning of each chapter to get a flavour of it, but in every one, she found an aspect of life she could criticise, and then pointed out how it should be done. I really didn't like her style at all.
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August 2, 2023A book of comfort and perspective
This is a particularly good book for those 'between ministries ' and in wilderness. It helps us revision what ministry is and embrace relationship and personal growth.
This is a particularly good book for those 'between ministries ' and in wilderness. It helps us revision what ministry is and embrace relationship and personal growth.
January 21, 2025
Worth the read
A fresh take on ministry.
If only I had read this when I was in fulltime ministry, perhaps the outcome would have been different.
God be praised in second chances, with family and friends.
A fresh take on ministry.
If only I had read this when I was in fulltime ministry, perhaps the outcome would have been different.
God be praised in second chances, with family and friends.
September 20, 2025
Sacred Smallness
This is an excellent book on serving and worshipping and loving God and how much he loves us and wants use to be with him fully. I loved reading this book and to spiritual people I would highly recommend it.
This is an excellent book on serving and worshipping and loving God and how much he loves us and wants use to be with him fully. I loved reading this book and to spiritual people I would highly recommend it.
August 8, 2024
Abiding in Him
Excellent in helping one to see all of life is a ministry, is the worship He calls us to,as long as we are abiding in Him
Excellent in helping one to see all of life is a ministry, is the worship He calls us to,as long as we are abiding in Him
November 18, 2025
A slow burn with gold nuggets in between.
January 3, 2026
Pretty good, but slow read
I thought this book was good in general, however I had some difficulty getting through it. It offered I think good advice to lead a Christian life.
I thought this book was good in general, however I had some difficulty getting through it. It offered I think good advice to lead a Christian life.
September 16, 2023
this book described beautifully what it means to cultivate a life of intimacy with God.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews