Book samples The Vine Project (Contents and Introduction) | Page 9

The big question

W

e’d been talking together for the best part of a day.
There were about 60 of us in the room, from a range
of different churches in America’s Midwest. And
then one pastor stood up and asked the question that we have
been asked countless times in the past six years.
“Look, I’ve read The Trellis and the Vine.1 I thought it was great.
It expressed what I have always thought and believed about
Christian ministry. So bless you and thank you for writing it.
“But as I kept reading, I also had this sinking feeling in my
gut. I just know that what actually happens in our church is a
long ways from the kind of disciple-making ministry vision you
outline and that I totally believe in. I’m not really sure how we
came to be so far away from it. But the thing is: I don’t really know
where to start or how to make progress. It’s like all the existing
structures and ministries in our church are made of concrete.
“So here’s my basic problem: How can I change the whole culture
of our church in the direction of disciple-making?”
He was a Baptist from an average-sized church in Chicago,
but he could have been a Presbyterian from Melbourne or an

1

Colin Marshall and Tony Payne, The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Shift that Changes
Everything, Matthias Media, Sydney, 2009.

Review copy—not for distribution.

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