Leadership
Successful Christian Ministry
Empowering Principles for Every Believer
The Bible teaches that every Christian is a minister. The church needs more ministers — not just more members. But what does it actually take to build a high-impact, long-lasting ministry? What separates those who finish well from those who fade out?
In this book, Mark Conner draws on over twenty years of pastoral leadership and a lifetime of careful study to identify seven core principles that apply to every form of Christian ministry — whether you lead a congregation, serve on a volunteer team, or simply want to love and serve the people around you.
Biblical, clear, and deeply practical — written not as theory but from lived experience.
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About the Book
Ministry is one of the most rewarding — and most demanding — callings a person can pursue. Whether you lead a large congregation, serve in a small team, or simply try to love and serve the people around you, the challenges are real: maintaining passion over the long haul, navigating difficulty, developing others, and staying grounded in what matters most.
Mark Conner argues that success in ministry rarely comes from learning something new or finding a clever technique. It comes from doing the fundamentals extremely well, consistently, over time. These seven principles are not quick tips or management strategies — they are deep, tested convictions about how God works through people who are willing to be shaped and used by him.
First written in 2003, this updated edition reflects the convictions Mark carried into a new season of coaching, speaking, and writing — and his belief that these principles are as relevant today as ever.
Seven principles
What People Are Saying
“This book is not good theory, research by a careful analyst, it is what Mark Conner and his effervescent church in Melbourne actually do. Biblical, clear; pragmatic and proven. If only more church leadership books were like this.”
Philip Baker Former Senior Minister of Riverview Church“It is a privilege to know Mark Conner — a young highly gifted pastor whose ministry is marked by both integrity and effectiveness. This is ‘must-read’ for pastors and other ministers.”
Rowland Croucher Director of John Mark Ministries, Victoria, Australia“If there is anything the Conner household is qualified to speak about it is successful Christian ministry. For decades the church has been blessed by the writings of Kevin Conner. It is a wonderful thing to see Mark Conner adding to that blessing for the benefit of the church of the 21st Century.”
Allan Meyer Former Senior Minister of Careforce Church, Mt Evelyn, Australia“Mark Conner is extremely well-qualified to write about successful ministry. His leadership of Waverley Christian Fellowship has been one of the great success stories of church growth in Australia. Applying the practical principles he discusses in this book will help any leader unlock success in his or her own ministry.”
Dr Phil Pringle OAM Founding Senior Minister, Christian City Church Oxford Falls & Founder and President of Christian City Church International“If I could have verbalized some of the primary issues that leaders must address in order to have a great church, I would have quoted Mark Conner’s book outline. This is the kind of new tool that can enable a Pastor to go to new levels in ministry. I highly recommend this book not only for the outstanding content but because of its author — who has lived what he has taught and modeled it for us all. Every Pastor’s library should have this text.”
Wendell Smith Founding Senior Minister of The City Church, Seattle, Washington, USAReady to read?
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