DMIN 810 Ministry Approach Analysis Thread
docx
School
Liberty University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
DMIN 810
Subject
Religion
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by MinisterIceMonkey26
What aspects of the book Deep & Wide and The Prodigal Church have stood out the most
to you thus far in your reading? (Be sure to cite a specific example from each book.)
How are the books similar in their approach? (Address the theological and philosophical approaches, not grammar or writing styles.)
How are the books dissimilar in their approach?
What Has Stood Out
In a short review of both Prodigal Church
and Deep & Wide
, both authors speak passionately about the centrality of community within the confines of the church building itself, though they may have different interpretations of who should be a part of said community. In fact, the author of Hebrews speaks out about the importance of congregating as God’s people when he writes, “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
1
Obviously, any good student of the word would first ask, “Who is this book written to?” This should point its readers to see that the book of Hebrews was written to those who have claimed Christ as their Savior; not lost people, though there are stern warnings about going back to Judaism. Moreover, one of the most debated questions amongst Christians is, “Is the church for the
saved or for the lost?” Both Stanley and Wilson share much of their own opinions and personal testimonies in order to better answer this question from opposing views. One thing that stood out
the most was Wilson’s argument for expository preaching. He explains that Stanley argues that “preaching ‘verse by verse’ directly from Bible passages isn’t how people grow” and “that there’s no example of that in the Bible itself.”
2
While Stanley would be correct to say that there is
1
All Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible
unless noted otherwise (La Habra, CA.: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).
2
Jared Wilson, The Prodigal Church: A Gentle Manifesto against the Status Quo
(Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015), 73.
no single verse that states that the Torah was taught explicitly verse by verse, the apostle Paul states, “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27, NKJV).
All of God’s Word needs to be taught in order for the body to be built up (cf. Eph 4:12) so that each believer could be led to spiritual maturity (cf. Col 1:28).
Furthermore, Stanley makes a valid point when he mentions, “
Ekklesia
never referred to a specific place, only a specific gathering.”
3
The Greek word ekklesia
, in essence means those who are called out. This refers to both Jew and Gentile who have claimed Christ as their Messiah, which inevitably sets them or calls them out of the world and sets them apart for His good work. Clearly, as the gospel went to the Jew first, believers continued to gather and worship
together in the temple and local synagogues. As the gospel message spread outside of Israel, believers would not only gather in synagogues, but would also meet in public, in private, and also in homes. The book of Acts gives proof that the assembling of God’s people continued in the
homes as the primary gather place rather than the temple or synagogues (cf. Acts 1:13; 2:2, 46; 12:12). Therefore, Stanley is correct to say that the ekklesia
is a gathering of people, rather than the location of where they meet.
Similarities in the Books
Though both Stanley and Wilson may answer the question of who the church is designed for in different ways, they have similarities in what they deem is vital for the gathering itself. Both express the significance of how worship plays a key role in how a person grows in the faith and connects to God Himself. Stanley suggests that changing the name from “worship” to “singing” would be more inviting to nonbelievers who may feel intimidated when asked if they 3
Andy Stanley, Deep & Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012), 59.
would join the church in worshipping together.
4
Wilson explains that many churches have diluted
the understanding of worship to that of only music, yet it should include the sermon, the whole service itself, and one’s life being an act of worship to the Creator.
5
While both understand the value of worship in the church, they do approach this topic from very different views.
In addition, both hinge their approaches to the centrality of teaching the gospel itself. Though it could have been a priority for the apostle Paul to design programs, strategies, and community engagement plans, he kept the gospel at the core of what he did from town to town (cf. 1 Cor 2:2). Stanley states that his church’s model “allows us to present the gospel in uncompromising terms, preach hard against sin, and tackle the most emotionally charged topics in culture.”
6
The gospel should be central to all that the church does, including its individual ministries and programs. Paul even explained that his imprisonment even helped to spread the gospel even further (cf. Phil 1:12). If the gospel is not actively being taught in a church, then at that point it would act as more of a social gathering than a church.
Differences in the Books
The two main models for growing a church focuses on both the missional and attractional
approach. As one works their way through both books, one can clearly see how Stanley pushes for the attractional method, versus Wilson’s argument for bringing the church back to a missional
approach. As mentioned before, both authors agree that worship is a key part in the growth of the
church, but the way they conduct worship in their respected churches seem to be very different. Stanley explains that they focus much of what they do on Sundays for first-time church attendees
4
Ibid., 215.
5
Wilson, The Prodigal Church
, 75.
6
Stanley, Deep & Wide
, 222.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
as they include “a mixture of familiar secular and not-so-familiar worship tunes as people enter the worship center.”
7
While one may understand the reasoning behind this approach, others may completely disagree with this approach as the sanctuary should be designated as a holy place to worship God. Some may deem it insulting or heretical to God to play carnal music in the sanctuary.
Furthermore, Stanley makes his appeal to the attractional model as he states, “We didn’t want to re-create environments designed for church people. We wanted to create a church that unchurched people would love to attend.”
8
This is opposite of what Wilson is trying to convey. Wilson explains the importance of the Great Commission as believers are charged with raising mature disciples. This starts with proper theological training and teaching in a church. Wilson states, “We need the guardrails of good theology and thoughtful application.”
9
It is as if Stanley believes that outsiders may be ran off from church if they hear the notion of theology. This is a strange concept as a person cannot grow in their faith and spirit in God without the proper knowledge of Him, which is found in scripture and theology. Concluding, both authors make great appeals to these very different church models, yet, there must be a balance between the two
to meet each individual where they are at without compromising the message of the gospel.
Bibliography
Stanley, Andy. Deep & Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend
. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012.
Wilson, Jared. The Prodigal Church: A Gentle Manifesto against the Status Quo
. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015.
7
Ibid., 211.
8
Ibid., 31.
9
Wilson, The Prodigal Church
, 176.