Brothers, We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry, Updated and Expanded Edition

In this revised and expanded edition that includes a new introduction and select new chapters, John Piper addresses fellow pastors through a series of essays, urging them to reject the professionalization of pastoral ministry and instead pursue the prophetic call of the Bible for radical ministry. Piper argues that the professionalization of pastoral work is spiritually damaging to pastors. He contends that the mindset of a professional differs fundamentally from that of a prophet or a slave of Christ, and that professionalism is unrelated to the core of Christian ministry. According to Piper, the more pastors pursue professionalism, the more spiritual harm results, since professionalism cannot encompass qualities like childlikeness, tenderness of heart, or passionate seeking after God. Piper frames pastors as outcasts and aliens whose citizenship belongs in Heaven. He argues that the world sets the agenda for professional people, while God sets the agenda for spiritual people, and that attempting to professionalize love for Christ's return destroys it. He uses the metaphor of Jesus Christ as strong wine that breaks the wineskins of professionalism.