John Piper, in his book Brothers, We Are Not Professionals is full of chapters that have titles beginning with “Brothers, [substitute appropriate exhortation here]”.
For example,
“Brothers, Let Us Pray”,
“Brothers, Show Your People Why God Inspired Hard Texts”
“Brothers, Tell Them Not To Serve God” (seriously!)
Encouraging though this is, I can’t help feeling that there is a crucial one missing.
How about, “Brothers, Eat More Chocolate.”
You see, then I could show it to my wife, and I might get away with it…
Doggie's Breakfast 
You’re too clever for your own good, Stephen!
I have reservations about that book before even having read it. (I own a copy… But I’m too busy being unprofessional to bother reading it 😉 ) I mean… Fair point Mr Piper… but how easy is it to claim we’re not professional. It’s like writing a book titled… “Brothers, it’s ok… Be Shoddy”.
I know that’s not the effect Mr Piper desires to reach (although in reading his new book “Don’t Waste Your Life” his argumentation often is shoddy) but there is a great emphasis on professionalism. I mean… shouldn’t our very profession be Christ? Shouldn’t our faith be much more than mere clumsy bludgeoning through life. I’m fed up of Christian services that reflect this attitude. Christians should seek to be professional in their worship of Christ because Christ is their profession! The OT Priests didn’t go about their duty (a day to day duty mind) with a familiarity that bred contempt and a reflection of this in there actions. Sacrifice was carried out in the most professional way for this reason – if it wasn’t then atonement wasn’t achieved! We should seek, in the same way, to give Christ our best and do this in a professional but moreover confessional manner. Yes… Let us not get carried away with being too professional but let us show Christ how important he is as we seek to worship him appropriately.
John Piper falls foul of the age old “rhetorical” method. He stabs us in the gut with a glut of over-endulgent sloganeering and overly persuasive however inaccurate argument. Ultimately, he only offers the lazy mans excuse for neglect of perfectionism.
Brothers, we ARE professionals!
Ooph… Strong words. Initial reaction… Forgive me for any insults taken!
Jon!!!
I think you should read the book. All of what you say is true, but it has nothing to do with what John Piper says!
His thesis is against the mega churches who have a professional approach to ministry e.g. the pastor is the CEO, the elders the board, etc (can you guess what the product is?) a la Saddleback & Willow Creek, or the pastor as therapist/psychiatrist/life coach etc. None of these professions are what pastoring is about. IOW we are not secular professionals!
Go on read it. You might be encouraged!
Good to see you back touring the blogs.
🙂
I guess it’s a case of the over-cynical mind. The book sounds interesting. I’ll read it when I have the time. It’s good to be back.