TatV Chapter 4

Chapter 4 turns to the question is every Christian a vine-worker? In short the answer is yes. They argue that as vine work is disciples making and being a disciple is to be a disciple-making disciple then every believer is a vine worker. They take us to Acts 4 and remind us that all the believers, not just the Apostles see themselves as servants -bond slaves - of Jesus, and that the Holy Spirit is given to all to equip all.

This will be made visible as believers engage in speaking the truth to one another, encouraging one another, and urging one another to stick with Christ. The believers goal is to edify the congregation in love. They also point out that rather being being specifically mandated to share the gospel with outsiders this is the natural over flow of the gospel changing whole communities as is seen clearly in 1 Thess 1:2-10, these gospel changes naturally provoke questions which provides gospel answers and the gospel rings out. They also contend that a Christian without a missionary heart is an anomaly.

It is an excellent chapter with some great examples of what vine work will look like 1-2-1, in the congregation and in the community although they seem a little traditional and almost trellis bound.

That idea of speaking the truth in love to one another in any and every context is vital for us to grasp - it liberates us from dividing church into workers and pew fillers, from professionals and non, or keenies and drifters, It captures the New Testaments emphasis on the family of God as a place where everyone engages, where everyone has a ministry, where everyone matters. I am grateful for this chapter and its reminders though I wish they had pushed it a little further, dealing with how we stir people out of their apathy to engage.