The Character of God’s Workman – Watchman Nee

I have been reading The Character of God’s Workman by Watchman Nee and this is one of those books every minister should read. Nee gives a whole list of character traits that are essential to ministry. He mentions everything from the ability to listen with care to being diligent, willing to suffer, and in control of your body and your tongue. I wish I had read this when I was first starting into ministry. Nee isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. He says dozens of times if you lack these qualities you just aren’t fit for service in the kingdom of God. It is an awesome challenge and incredibly humbling. It is also very motivating because you will find yourself somewhere in this book and will be challenged to improve. What makes this book so powerful is considering the circumstances of who wrote it. This line pretty much sums up the whole book,

“Today we need stable ministers, those as dependable and unshakable as stones. We must not think and talk of one thing now and think and talk of another thing next. If we are truly solid and firm before God, there will be blessings in the Church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Location 1541 of 2684)