The Essentials of the Church: Learning from the Vine and its Trellis

What is the priority in your Church: the "vine" or its "trellis"? The people and the progress of the Gospel (the vine) or the structures and programs (the trellis)? It is from this telling image that two Australians, Colin Marshall and Tony Payne, lead a disturbing and sometimes even provocative reflection, but which always relies on Scripture. Starting from the missionary mandate of Matthew 28.19-20, they demonstrate that in every local Church, all Christians are disciples called to make other disciples. This is the principle of multiplication. Thus, the "ministry" is no longer reserved for pastors and elders alone. While encouraging the presence of "recognized workers" in the Church (pastors, elders, deacons, etc.), the authors explain that when Church leaders invest a significant part of their time in the training of Christians, the latter in turn become effective workers in the "vineyard": they can bear witness, accompany young believers, make visits, help other people to grow. The inspiring vision of this book will help every local church to focus on what matters: discipleship, training, the involvement of all Christians in a "ministry of the Word" and the spread of the Gospel.

Colin MARSHALL has spent over thirty years training men and women for the service of the Gospel, both in local churches and on university campuses. He was educated at Moore Theological College (Australia) and developed the website vinegrowers.com

Tony PAYNE is a well-known author and editor in English-speaking countries. Also educated at Moore Theological College, he is the director of the publishing house Matthias Media.

He contributed to the development of the "Two Ways of Living" evangelism method

Presentation: Softcover, paperback

Authors: Colin Marshall, Tony Payne

Publication date: September 11, 2014

Format: 14 cm × 21 cm × 1 cm, 210 pages

Weight: 250 g

Publisher: Clé

ISBN: 9782358430388

French only