Category Archives: Discipleship

Book Review: Gold in the Making: Where is God when bad things happen to you? By Ron Lee Davis

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“Gold in the Making” is a great read regarding personal pain in Ron Davis’ family and his first hand observation as a pastor. Out of his suffering, he draws the reader into the sensation, “I know what you are saying!” and gives five good biblical principles of suffering as well as four strategies for coping with suffering.  He has a shepherd’s heart and integrates wonderful illustrations for helping the reader to accept and believe he understands suffering.

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Book Review: Counseling the Sexual Addict, A Biblical Guide Steve Gallagher

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A Biblical Guide to Counseling the Sexual Addict is an excellent read for pastors, counselors and those who love God and love people. Pornography is destroying America because it treats women as objects, because it hinders intimacy in marriage, because it makes men passive cats and because it takes away God’s role of men in the world – to mirror who He is. Gallagher also authored the excellent book “At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry.” Continue reading →

Book Review: The Ways of the Alongsider by Bill Mowry

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Book Review: The Ways of the Alongsider by Bill Mowry

The Ways of the Alongsider by Bill Mowry is an excellent tool for discipling those who will learn to disciple others.  It can be used as a good foundation for building a disciple-making ministry. It is well-designed to fit our culture. Does it cover everything that is needed in discipleship?  No, but in ten lessons, it gives a sufficient guidance to encourage a new disciple to disciple others.

The concept of the Alongsider comes from the word that means encouraging someone to come alongside another and help them in their journey to Jesus. The manual provides four Foundational lessons.  The first lesson parallels the Great Commandment to love God and describes the “Way of the Amateur.” Just as the amateur does what he does because he loves it, not because he is getting paid, so the Christian should consider himself an amateur and just love discipling other people. That discipleship is motivated by love. Love for the Lord and love for others. 

There are three significant aspects of this lesson. The first significant aspect is a chart that illustrates the difference between traditional approaches of ministry and “the way of the alongsider.” (p. 17). In the second significant aspect, Mowry uses VIM to assess three elements for personal change.  The V stands are Vision – “Do I have a picture or vision for change?” The I stands for Intentional – “Do I desire change? Have I decided to be intentional about change?” And thirdly, M stands for Means – “Do I have the means (tools, practical helps, training) for change?” (p. 18)  The third significant aspect is a list of pointed questions, which rate a person’s effectiveness as an alongsider.  Personal truthfulness would reveal needed spiritual change.

The next three lessons describe how this is put into action as the “Way of Life,” the “Way of Intentionality,” and the “Way of Prayer.”  If the foundation of the disciple’s life is not built on his relationship with the Lord, he will become an emotionally driven salesman or a toothless Pharisee.  It is the relationship with God that will carry him through in discipling others.

Part Two describes the Skills needed to build on the Foundation. He begins with two lessons on the importance of relationships and then two lessons on the importance of the Word.  These are followed by two lessons on principles for purposeful conversations and how to recruit people to live with those around them in order to reach them.  These seem like basic, very basic, lessons, until one considers the culture around us.  We are a culture that is more plugged into an iPod, then plugged into communicating well in relationships.  This is followed by nine appendices on mechanics for discipling those who will disciple others.  These are great as weekly explanations that can be highlighted based on the strengths and weaknesses of the disciple. Finally, there is a Leader’s lesson outline guide for each of the book lessons so that those who are new to discipling others can have a guide that they could follow. 

I have used the Navigator Colossians 2:7 track a few times and greatly love that series.  However, it was written 60 years ago and the culture has changed.  I would encourage someone to go through that series, even today, but most of the culture is not there.  The culture is more at the level of “The Ways of the Alongsider.”  It targets the strengths and weaknesses of the culture today in order to reach a new generation.  

I’d suggest this material, along with familiarization with Real Life Discipleship by Jim Putman in developing the goal of raising up spiritual Parents.  Don’t put it off; do it now.

Book Review: Center Church by Timothy Keller

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Book Review: Center Church by Timothy Keller

“Center Church” by Timothy Keller is articulate, serious, thoughtful and challenging.  He’s challenged my thinking in many ways regarding gospel ministry in cities.  There are three main sections: Gospel; City; and Movement.  Each section is sub-divided into parts and each part has several chapters.  Keller is brilliant in his perspective.  I might not agree with all of his theology, but he has thought through issues that I have not considered.  He is extremely well read and he incorporates the summary and thoughts of an abundance of authors throughout his discussions.

His book is on “Center Church,” because he is seeking the center to balance theological, philosophical and practical extremes of world view.  He seeks to balance the gospel axis between legalism and relativism; the city balance between challenge and appreciate; and the movement balance between structured organization and fluid organism.

His chapter “The Gospel is not Everything” was bothersome as a title, but it caught my attention.  He does not mean the gospel good news of Christ’s sufficiency and blood atonement, but that the gospel influences every part of life and is far more expansive than a simple story to get people into the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Yes, indeed, the gospel affects everything and the church that expounds the gospel in its fullness will look unique.

Keller provides many approaches to his subjects.  People are not just saved or rebellious, but it is helpful to classify rebellious in a religious and irreligious mode.  Both are unbelievers.  In the city context, many will consider themselves religious, who can then be shown they are not of the gospel.

His second section on city was challenging.  The city seems to be a gathering place for immorality and the exaltation of sin, which they are.  However, Keller exposes the importance of ministering in cities to reach the multitude of people for whom Jesus died.  He clearly shows many of the advances brought about by cities, but the balance is that those advances have not drawn people closer in their relationship with God.  He emphasizes one day all will be drawn to the “city” of God, so cities are not inherently bad.  Yet, he seems to be careful to not offend city-dwellers who depend far too much on human strength and abilities rather than God’s Spirit.  I would have hoped he emphasized that as the city attracts multitudes and various peoples, sin multiplies exponentially and apart from the Holy Spirit, it will not be brought under control prior to the Lord’s return.  I do appreciate his approach to ministry in cities, because he is building bridges unlike many of us who burn bridges to city-dwellers, much like Jonah in Nineveh.

He notes that the early Christian movement “was largely an urban movement that won the people of the Roman cities to Christ, while most of the rural countryside remained pagan.” (149)  he writes, “The city is an intrinsically positive social form with a checkered past and a beautiful future.” (151)  Apart from the Holy Spirit cleansing the cities through the gospel, they will continue to spiral down.  It’s interesting that immorality, abortion, wickedness and the like begin in the cities and then slowly penetrate into the rural areas. The church, then, must hear the call to the city. (154)  He cites some crucial statistics of the declining spirituality in America. (182) 

So how should the church respond to culture?  Great discernment is needed.  Keller presents five approaches in which he delineates strengths and weaknesses of each.  Keller sees the grays in between black and white choices of response and that has greatly assisted him in reaching the city culture.

His last section on “Movement” describes the structure of the organized church and the fluidity of the organism of the church.  Both are necessary for becoming a missional church.  A missional church is going to adjust to the culture where it can in order to reach into and rescue souls seeking God’s solutions.  I appreciate his urgency to connect people to the culture, so that the church influences culture, rather than be influenced by culture.  His comparison of an “Institution versus Movement” is insightful and thought-provoking.

“Center Church” is not going to be a book everyone will sit down and consume in a few nights.  The 382 pages are double-columned, so most people will be put off by the amount of material.  It doesn’t have testimonials and stories or pictures, so many will drift away.  However, every student should consider studying this as it is likely used in many academic contexts.  I’d encourage students of Scripture to study this for expanding your thinking.

Book Review: Building a Life-changing Small Group Ministry By Bill Donahue

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Book Review: Building a Life-changing small group Ministry By Bill Donahue

This training manual, “Building a Life-changing small group Ministry,” is a big picture book, looking at the forest, yet does a great job of distinguishing between the oaks and maple trees.  It deals with the overview of building a small group ministry, in contrast to just leadership.  It exhorts the reader to assess the strengths and weaknesses of his ministry.  It helps the reader gain insight into prominent small group problems and develop a strategy for building a small group ministry. 

Donahue addresses “Ministry Clarity” from years of experience and practice.  He assists in developing an operational philosophy of ministry.  His chapter on “Point Leadership” is a good lead in to his small group book, “Leading Life-Changing Small Groups.”  Using the example of Jethro’s counsel to Moses to establish structure, Donahue assists small group leadership to not let small groups happen by accident, but to be intentional with the organism of small groups.  I appreciate his emphasis on nurturing over mentoring, because every leader is going to get discouraged working with people trying to help them grow.  The enemy does not want people to grow up, so there will be plenty of distractions leading to discouragement.  It’s best to have a coaching staff to build up the small group leaders. They will as they communicate, counsel, hold accountable and model encouragement.

Donahue has an excellent approach under “Connection Strategy.”  He gives several structures, ideas and examples of what has worked for various churches.  In a later chapter, “Measuring Progress,” he provides tremendous evaluation questions and charts to analyze the direction and momentum of a small group ministry.  Then he gives effective suggestions on discerning a wise course of action to proceed.

In succeeding chapters, Donahue expounds on the practical requirements and implementation of a small group ministry.  The reality is, small groups that are oriented to life transformation can break the mold of sedentary church life.  His chapter on “Measuring Progress” gives a remarkable assessment and evaluation guideline a church can use to objectively measure where the church is and therefore where it needs to go.  His chapter on “Leading Change: Breaking through Barriers” exposes the certainty of existing barriers or that rise up as the enemy will not want transformation in the heart of believers.  And finally, his last chapter on “Strategic Planning” lays out key questions to assist any leadership team in overcoming and implementing real change that can work.

This is a must read for background, vision and planning in building a small group ministry.  While it does not provide a verse by verse support for everything mentioned, the practical suggestions are there for employing what could be put into operation – personalized for your church.  The key is leadership support.  Do not try to implement small groups without the Senior Pastor’s backing.  Unity of the Spirit in God’s ministry is more important than pushing an agenda.

Book Review: Leading Life-Changing Small Groups by Bill Donahue

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Book Review: Leading Life-Changing Small Groups by Bill Donahue

 
“Leading Life-Changing Small Groups” by Bill Donahue addresses the leader’s role in establishing and developing a Biblical Community.  He begins with how to establish a small groups purpose and vision. This might seem too independent from the associated Church and I would recommend that any Small Group assume the associated Church’s purpose and vision.  However, the specific purpose and vision of the Small Group might differ regarding how it will reach out to new members, serve within and outside the Church, and identify specific mission service projects.

His succeeding chapters highlight excellent insights into the leader’s role for himself and then an apprentice.  Every leader can improve his listening skills, accountability and leadership style.  Donahue provides a series of suggestions on how to grow.  Then, in the next chapter, he moves directly into developing an apprentice, which is essential if the vision is to grow individuals and grow the influence of small groups.  Every leader is a spiritual parent, who must consider how to raise up those who will participate in and multiply small groups.

He has an excellent discussion on creating a covenant or agreement for the small group gathering.  Additionally, he addresses the strategy for growth and what ingredients help that process.   Following that, he delineates what the meetings should look like and what the outcomes should be.   He has a great, lengthy and helpful list of ice-breaker questions.   His section on dealing with conflict was helpful, but could have drawn more from Scripture on some of the mechanics.

Leaders should read through this in order to identify small group dynamics.  It will be much easier to learn the easy way from Donahue’s suggestions than the hard experience of small group hard knocks.  People get their feelings hurt too easily, misunderstandings develop too quickly and people often jump to wrong conclusions.  A leader must be a spiritual parent who can discern the heart of people and that doesn’t come immediately.  Donahue’s resource and experience will develop discernment for successful small group leading.

Book Review: Small Group Leaders’ Handbook J. Alex Kirk, et al

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Book Review: Small Group Leaders’ Handbook J. Alex Kirk, et al

“Small Group Leaders’ Handbook” is written by seven staff workers with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship from various college campuses.  They came together in a number of ways to collaborate and provide a current view on raising small group leaders, especially for ministry on college campuses.  Over the course of a year, they arrived at the principles and methods described in the book interspersed with their testimonies of reaching and raising up leadership for small groups on college campuses.

Developing leadership is often messy work, but leaders who are proactive and willing to be flexible can see great fruit in what they describe as a transformational community that studies the Bible, prays and participates in God’s mission together. 

I might have thought the book would be seven different approaches or seven different perspectives on small group leadership.  However, they have interacted sufficiently in person and over email and phone to form a consistent approach dealing with various aspects of transformation. Their writing styles are similar. Their stories are engaging.  Their mission is clear: to raise up new spiritual leaders.

I did have difficulty following some of the chapters, because the organization of the material was not as clear as I need.  However, it may be because I like the nuts and bolts in a handbook to be in a clear outline; I don’t like to search for the principles.  The principles are there in each of the chapter, yet they could have been summarized or highlighted more clearly.  That’s likely a personal preference.

I’m grateful for their intent and pursuit of seeking to build the kingdom of Jesus Christ in the formulating years of college students.  I’m grateful for their heart of passion to win students to Jesus Christ and their leadership to follow through the transformation of students’ hearts for Jesus Christ.  May the Lord use this to further His kingdom!

Book Review: Successful Home Cell Groups by Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho

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Book Review: Successful Home Cell Groups by Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho
“Successful Home Cell Groups” by Paul Yonggi Cho is a great testimony of God’s grace in building His church in South Korea and the influence Cho has had around the world.  Dr. Cho has initiated more projects and influenced more lives that likely any other Christian in our age. He is obviously committed to Jesus Christ and making disciples.  He was so focused on building God’s kingdom on earth that he didn’t need to listen to many others about building a church.  His church numbered about one million in 2007 and he has now turned the church to Dr. Lee Yoon.  This book was written in 1981 when the church was only about 150,000.  He set off with dependency on the Lord with goals in mind.  His goal of numbers drove him to see the largest church built in the world.

He based his growth on two things.  First, he realized if he was going to expand beyond the 2400 he saw his church plateau at, he would need to decentralize the authority.  He did this through home cell groups who came under his authority.  He gave cell leaders his message and training on Wednesday nights.  He then expected from them after the Sunday message, they would build up the people with the Word and love them into the group.  It wasn’t love that was just mentioned, but love that had feet to the actions. 

The home cell groups were the means of outreach.  He exhorted his people to reach out to neighbors and love them in tangible ways.  The examples he gives demonstrate the humility of the people under his ministry.  If anyone wanted to join Cho’s church, they first had to sign up to be a part of a cell group.

The second basis of growth was setting goals with numbers.  He made sure people knew the numbers and they submitted to his authority to reach more people.  I wouldn’t want to take away anything that the Lord has done through his ministry, yet the eastern humility and authority orientation of the Korean culture is off the charts and likely assisted in the expansion.  Yet, he has been effective in many other countries around the world.   He also attributes a great deal of his ministry to the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. 

Some might argue about some of his theologies.  I am always amazed at the reality that some people may not see Scripture exactly as I do.  But what I do respect is the humble results of what God has done through Dr. Cho.  It is incredible and astounding.  You will catch a vision for the possibility of home groups if you haven’t been in one before and you’ll be reinforced to press to the upward call if you already are using home groups.

Book Review: Multiply: Disciples making Disciples by Francis Chan

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“Multiply” by Francis Chan is a well-written, engaging book on an overview of the Bible story.  As Francis continues to minister to thousands of people around the world, he has provided an excellent volume to establish the story line for new believers to Christianity and Jesus Christ.  It is written so that anyone can read and understand the thrust of the message.

What is especially helpful in the book are the three parts preceding the overview of the Old and New Testaments.  The first part describes “Living as a Disciple Maker” and highlights from the beginning our responsibility to Jesus Christ to grow and make disciples ourselves.  The second part describes “Living as the Church” and the importance of life in the church, especially when the church is filled with imperfect people.  The third part describes “How to Study the Bible” and gives excellent principles of how to study and prayerfully obey it.

The last two sections cover an overview of the Old and New Testaments.  He works through important aspects of each Testament in God’s story of creation, fall and redemption.  His gospel presentation is clear; his emphasis on the sin failure of man is evident.  And he ensures God is glorified as the only means of redemption from man’s fallen state.

I appreciate how in the section on “How to Study the Bible” and specifically “Studying Logically,” he emphasizes interpreting Scripture by finding the plain meaning of the text.  He wisely places emphasis on the context and understanding the difference between interpretation and application.  His next two portions define “Find the plain meaning” and “Take the Bible Literally.” (pp. 129-133)  I agree with him completely.  These are accurate tools for interpretation. 

However, it doesn’t appear that he does that in his overview of the Old and New Testaments.  For example, it appears he takes the prophecies of Ezekiel 36, which he identifies given to Israel, but applies them directly to believers in the Church (pp. 279-280).  Those are prophecies given to Israel and will be fulfilled with Israel when the Lord comes back at the Second Coming.  There is truth about how the Holy Spirit will transform hearts of unbelievers in the Church Age, but not in fulfillment of Ezekiel 36.  Another example is identifying Jesus’ return at the Second Coming to be the end of the world (p. 316-318).  If a person looks for the plain meaning and interprets literally, Jesus’ return at the Second Coming precedes a thousand year millennium, which Francis does not identify.  Francis graciously identifies differences in end time perspectives (p. 317), but he takes a symbolic view of interpretation for many things rather than take a plain, literal interpretation. 

With that being said, Chan’s passion for discipleship and reaching the world for Christ is almost unparalleled.  I am convicted in reading this volume and pray that I might also seek to reach the world for Christ to the extent or manner that Francis Chan has.