One of the central claims of The Trellis and the Vine was that Christian ministry is founded not only on preaching and teaching, but also on training. In fact, the chapter in which that argument was advanced most forcefully has always been the most controversial part of the book (Ch 8: ‘Why Sunday Sermons are necessary but not sufficient’).
Hi Tony, another good article/talk, and on such an important topic connected with your idea of making disciples/apprentices.
I am so thankful for key people in my Christian past who took time to encourage me or take me with them when they engaged in ministry opportunities, but also as you refer to, the role and place of quality Bible teaching which transforms your mind and your life and practices and habits.
Thinking of Jesus and his disciples, while Jesus did speak into their lives, often having to rebuke them, (sometimes in frustration at their hardness of heart), I wonder how much the disciples learnt from Jesus simply from watching him, simply by being with him.
Again, this has been key for me, watching and being with others as they go about their ministry and engaging with people or learning from watching and hearing for example their preaching style and methods or how they share the gospel with other and answer people's questions and respond to a whole range of different circumstances.
This surely must still have a key place in training today, being around and spending time with mature, godly men and women as we watch and learn from them.
Hi Tony, another good article/talk, and on such an important topic connected with your idea of making disciples/apprentices.
I am so thankful for key people in my Christian past who took time to encourage me or take me with them when they engaged in ministry opportunities, but also as you refer to, the role and place of quality Bible teaching which transforms your mind and your life and practices and habits.
Thinking of Jesus and his disciples, while Jesus did speak into their lives, often having to rebuke them, (sometimes in frustration at their hardness of heart), I wonder how much the disciples learnt from Jesus simply from watching him, simply by being with him.
Again, this has been key for me, watching and being with others as they go about their ministry and engaging with people or learning from watching and hearing for example their preaching style and methods or how they share the gospel with other and answer people's questions and respond to a whole range of different circumstances.
This surely must still have a key place in training today, being around and spending time with mature, godly men and women as we watch and learn from them.