The Trellis and the Vine

I'm always a bit skeptical about the recommendations on the backs of books, after all they are bound to be positive, so when I saw Mark Dever's recommendation for this book I was again ready to be disappointed. You can see his recommendation video here

However, I have to say the first chapter has been excellent so far it has lived up to the hype. I recognise in myself a tendancy to become preoccupied with trellis work (the structures and programs of church) rather than the vine (the people which compose the church) itself. The authors recognise that vine work is not easy, that it requires us to depend on God and take risks in speaking the word of God into peoples lives, but they remind us of the call and need to do just that.

The chapter also asked some good questions (e.g. How many people are hearing God''s word and by the power of the Spirit growing in knowledge and godliness?). But the most helpful thing in this chapter was the reminder that 'go' is not the main verb of the great commission, it is 'make disciples'. That disciple making is to to be the normal agenda and priority of the church and every disciple.