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Helps those involved in ministry to live and serve like Jesus.
Gospel workers are called to be both/and people:
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.
Introduction: On Playing the Didgeridoo (and Living a Genuinely Gospel-Shaped Life)
1. Both/And Theology
2. Both/And Identity
3. Both/And Relationships
4. Both/And Ministry
5. Both/And Leadership
6. Both/And Community
7. Why a Both/And Life Is Worth the Effort
| Contributors | Gary Millar |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781802542615 |
| Format | eBook |
| First published | January 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Good Book Company |
It takes a particular talent to accomplish what Gary Millar has done in this characteristically clear and profoundly helpful book. With a lightness of touch he helps us understand the keys to living a life truly grounded in the gospel and pursuing a ministry genuinely shaped by that gospel.
In a day of soundbites and hype, this book comes as a refreshing word of sanity. Gary Millar shows the multicoloured nature of Christian life and ministry, and refuses to allow it to become monochrome. He helps us grasp the different angles of Jesus’ teaching and resist the temptation to boil them down to just one thing. We all need ‘both/and’ ministry.
In this warm and wise book, Gary Millar makes sense of the many apparent tensions of ministry and leadership, reminding us that as disciples of Christ, we are called to ‘a life that is marked by contrasts and paradoxes that reflect the glorious richness of our God and Saviour’. Gary helps us to recognise, navigate and value the many ‘both/and’ realities we encounter when we seek to live and lead like Jesus. A great personal or team read for facilitating reflection on ministry and growth in ministry.
This book dives into the tension of the Christian life where there are often many things we are holding at one time seeking to balance appropriately as we live out our faith.
As I read through this book there were many conversations I remember having with our staff team when I was on staff with a campus ministry. I thought about how this book could have been a useful resource for our team as a way to start the conversation and discuss different topics.
Some of the examples Miller discusses I thought were great while others I found myself wanting more from the example. However, if you were planning to go through this with a ministry team you are on, this I think works well because it does provide that opportunity to be a conversation starter but isn’t the end place.
At the end of each chapter, there is a quiz in which you can rank your views and what was discussed in the chapter. This looks much better in the print format than the ebook format since the pages line up in the print format. In the ebook format, I did find myself being confused initially until I compared to the print version and saw how they lined up which in my opinion allowed for some of the questions/rankings to make more sense overall.
A quote I thought summed up the idea of the book well is “The health of our Christian life depends on both remembering who we are in Christ (Spirit-created, indwelt and empowered people who are already like Jesus in lots of ways) and seeing the ways in which we continue to live in ways which don’t fit with who we are (because of our sinful muscle memory and unruly desires). We need to look in the mirror and see both of these things at the same time.”
Both/And Ministry is a must-read for anyone navigating the challenges of ministry. Miller does an incredible job unpacking the paradoxes leaders often face—balancing boldness with humility, truth with grace, and structure with flexibility. Instead of offering quick fixes, the book invites readers to embrace these tensions as opportunities for spiritual growth and impactful leadership.
What sets this book apart is its blend of biblical wisdom, practical advice, and real-life examples. Miller’s insights are both convicting and encouraging, providing a framework for navigating the complexities of ministry with integrity and reliance on God.
I found the tone to be both thoughtful and relatable, making it easy to apply the lessons to real-world ministry challenges. This book doesn’t just offer tools for leadership; it points readers back to the ultimate source of strength and wisdom—our faith in Christ.
If you’re in ministry and seeking a deeper understanding of how to lead faithfully in a world full of complexities, Both/And Ministry is a powerful resource. Highly recommended!
