See my full review here: http://cruciformlife.org/book-reviews.ht...

This is an important book. Here are a few reasons why I’m thrilled to recommend it to you:

Palmer has served the Church well by packing a rich biblical theology of service into a small package. He draws from a wealth of Scripture, sound doctrine, and the writings of past and present Bible-soaked teachers to inform our heads, inspire our hearts, and incline our hands to serve.

Palmer focuses on the local church as the context for Christian service. In an age where we are tempted to be consumer Christians who shop around to find the church that “fits us” and “meets our needs,” this book reminds us that we are to focus on how God would use us to build up the body of Christ, not on “what’s in it for me.” As one who is employed by a church, I, too, needed my own attitude adjusted by this gospel-soaked call to service.

Palmer avoids using “shoulds” and “ought tos” to motivate us to serve. He keeps the focus on Jesus as He is offered to us in the gospel, the One who “came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). This book is about Gospel-driven, not guilt-driven service. A friend of mine often says “If you want the fruit of redemption, preach redemption.” Service to God and others is a fruit of redemption, and so Palmer preaches redemption on every page. ( )

I have been grumbling lately in my service, and this book was just the remedy. Giving encouragement that we do need to understand why we serve and grounding our service in our response to our salvation (not a means of salvation), this book is a good resource for everyone. Whether you serve in the nursery, the kitchen, as a deacon, or in the choir. And certainly if you aren't serving in your church yet at all. ( )