A new book from Matthias Media USA, written by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne, is being called “The best book I’ve read on the nature of church ministry” by Mark Dever. The book is on sale for the next 48-hours from Westminster Bookstore for $9.99 (after that it will be available for $19.99). The offer expires at 3 PM (EST) on Thursday, December 10th.
The quote above is not all that Dever (and others) are saying:
“What Col and Tony have described here is exactly what I’ve been trying to do in my own life and in our congregation for years. According to this book, Christians are to be disciple-making disciples and pastors are to be trainers. Superb! This book sets out a crucial shift that is needed in the mindset of many pastors. The authors have carefully listened to the Bible. And they’ve worked on this book. The result is a book that is well-written and well-illustrated, but even more, a book that is full of biblical wisdom and practical advice. This is the best book I’ve read on the nature of church ministry. ”
– Mark Dever, Senior Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington DC, USA
“This is a simple, beautiful book that I plan to have every pastor and elder at The Village Church read. It quietly and calmly beckons us back to biblical, hands-on shepherding and is a book desperately needed among large churches in the West.”
– Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church, Dallas
“God makes ministers in the midst of his church. It is in the context of the faithful local church that ministers are best taught, shaped and equipped. The Trellis and the Vine is a superb guide to preparing pastors and ministers for Christ’s church. It comes from a ministry so deeply committed to the recovery of biblical truth and the cause of the gospel. The wisdom in this little book is invaluable. My advice: Keep a good stack on hand at all times, and put this book to good use. ”
– R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
“There is no need greater (in the happy resurgence of robust, gospel- centred churches in the English-speaking world) than for us to think biblically and wisely about how we live and minister together in our congregations. All manner of folk are offering us their opinions as to how we ought to do this in this reforming era (in which some, if not many, rightly see the weaknesses of the ministry and methodology of the last fifty years, but whose prescriptions for remedy fall short of the standards of Scripture and wisdom). Yes, let’s rethink what we are to do and be together as the church, but let’s do it biblically, and with the wisdom of biblical discernment and pastoral experience. So I announce with joy that I have new conversation partners as I am asking myself, under the authority of God and Scripture, questions about the structure and ministry of my congregation: “Why are we doing what we are doing? Are we focusing on the right things? Is the gospel central? Are we making disciples? Has ‘administry’ trumped ministry? Is our corporate life and mission biblically shaped?” And more. As I ask these things, I am so deeply helped and heartened and humbled and corrected by the fidelity and wisdom of Colin Marshall and Tony Payne’s profound little book that I can’t but commend it to you. ”
– Ligon Duncan, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi, USA (Past Moderator, General Assembly, Presbyterian Church in America)
Watch a video of Mark Dever talking about and reading from this book: