"'Unambitious ambition' is Ryan P. Tinetti's hope-filled response to the gnawing fear of failing to do great things for God. Drawing on many years of pastoral ministry and seminary teaching, Tinetti squarely addresses us in our exhaustion, burnout, or perhaps embarrassment about our lack of accomplishment. The Quiet Ambition offers an extended meditation on Paul's encouragement to live quietly (1 Thess. 4:11–12). This is a book filled to the brim with practical words of wisdom to be chewed and savored."Hans Boersma, professor at Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin and author of Pierced by Love
"This timely book is 'for those who have not done great things,' which is to say, most of us. It charts a better way to live to Christ without adding busy activities to the tyranny of our overloaded schedules. It all starts with an apparently humdrum verse: 'Make it your ambition to live quietly, tend your own business, and work with your hands' (1 Thess 4:11). Here is a tract for our burnout times. What really matters to Jesus, Ryan P. Tinetti suggests, is attending faithfully to our simplequotidian responsibilities, quietly witnessing to the sufficient grace of Christ."Sylvie Vanhoozer, author of The Art of Living in Season and The Art of Living in Advent
"In North America, ambition has become an object of hope, and paradoxically, a source of despair, resignation, and hopelessness. Yet rather than attacking ambition, Ryan P. Tinetti places it in its proper place, not as a replacement for our hope in the newness of life but as its servant. With theological depth and pastoral wisdom, the author invites weary and withdrawn souls to see the great things God is already doing to make all things new as his Spirit channels our holy desires for Christlike service through our little, everyday tasks and quiet, unassuming lives. A hope-filled book!"Leopoldo A. Sánchez M., professor of systematic theology at Concordia Seminary and author of Sculptor Spirit
"I love how Ryan P. Tinetti writes—there is an almost poetic lilt to his prose. And I love what Ryan writes—insight, wisdom, humor, and hope all wrapped around a holy, biblical core. Thank you, Ryan, for The Quiet Ambition. It is what we all need and how we all need it."Greg Finke, author of the Joining Jesus series
"What a wise, practical, so very helpful book Ryan P. Tinetti has given us in The Quiet Ambition. He moves so gracefully from the words of Saint Paul to the stresses and strains of contemporary life, giving us practical ways in which each of us can be faithful to the use of the gifts God has given us without allowing our ambition and drive to get the best of us. In reading, I constantly said, 'This book was written for me.' I bet that you will find it was written for you too."Will Willimon, professor of the practice of Christian ministry at Duke Divinity School and author of Accidental Preacher: A Memoir
"Ryan P. Tinetti opens our eyes to the glories of the simple, common, and ordinary—where God's highest and best work is done by the lowliest people. Laced copiously with captivating illustrations from books, media, culture, and his own sensitive ministry among God's simple saints, Tinetti skillfully weaves the thread of God's riches at Christ's expense throughout. A call to slow down and live more calmly for Jesus."Harold Senkbeil, author of The Care of Souls and executive directorof DOXOLOGY: the Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel
"Using the wisdom of a scholar, the insight of a pastor, and the practicality of a husband and father, Ryan P. Tinetti sheds bright but warm and tender light on the underappreciated and often maligned path of unambitious ambition. With disarming wit and deft argument, The Quiet Ambition challenges a world and church still thoroughly infected by the criteria of total work to consider the goodness and beauty of a humble and unpretentious life of faithfully following Christ."Joel Biermann, Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary
"The apostle Paul directs his readers to 'encourage one another and build each other up,' which is exactly what Ryan P. Tinetti's new book will do for those weary with a religious culture driven by spiritual ambitions. Drawing on a range of wisdom from Scripture, history, and pastoral experience, Tinetti's book is the guide we all need to the peace that passes all ambition. This is a saving message."Richard Lischer, James T. and Alice Mead Cleland Professor Emeritus of Preaching atDuke Divinity School and author of Our Hearts Are Restless
"Numerous resources help people build back their faith when broken by failure. Ryan P. Tinetti tackles an opposite crisis: how achievement can also break church workers, especially as we lionize leaders with a celebrity-like limelight. A veritableoverachiever himself, Tinetti is well-qualified to address success's meretricious traps. Self-effacingly confessing his own fumbles and stumbles, Tinetti offers biblically anchored insights from an ecumenical array of theological thinkers, spiritual writers, and cultural observers. Tinetti's insights refresh the Christian tradition with practical wisdom."John A Nunes, president of California Lutheran University
"In a world of constant motion and noise, Ryan P. Tinetti offers a refreshing invitation to a different way of living—one that leads not only to a deeper understanding of ourselves but also of God. The Quiet Ambition is a guiding light for those feeling restless and weary from life's relentless demands, showing a path to true purpose and peace. I wish I had read this book years ago, but as Ryan reminds us, it's never too late to 'Make it your ambition to live quietly.'"Tanner Olson, writer at writtentospeak.com
