TatV Chapter 9

Chapter 9 moves on to look at the biblical basis for and the practical 'how to' of training gospel workers so that our churches become places where everyone is a disciple-making disciple. It begins by exploring Paul's co-workers and fellow-workers and extrapolates the principle that team ministry is the Biblical norm not the exception.

It moves on to explore this idea through a team of elders who labour together and through the idea of training others to engage in gospel work (again they seem a little bound by trellis work - church structures). The rightly and helpful point out that church or denominational structures are not a bar to this, nor do they automatically facilitate and encourage it, it must be a determined intentional mindset. But how do we do it?

Helpfully they give an example of it in action and through a series of diagrams explore how training disciple-making disciples will impact the church. They acknowledge that ongoing rolling, growing disciple making is messy, and that people will drop out or not fully realise their potential.

As I read the chapter I found it both an encouragement and a challenge. An encouragement because who wouldn't want the church to be filled with every believer making and growing other disciples speaking the word of God to one another and calling others to come to faith. And a challenge because such a mindset and change would mean not fulfilling others expectations - something I think we all battle with - but instead focusing on a few who will train others, who will train others and so on.