29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Refreshingly Practical Book on Discipleship for Churches, April 30, 2003
This review is from: Growing True Disciples: New Strategies for Producing Genuine Followers of Christ (Hardcover)
The case for discipleship is made clearly by Dallas Willard and Robert Coleman, among others. The day-to-day implications of discipleship's importance for churches is not so obvious. George Barna provides an invaluable service by, first, establishing via a survey of spiritual maturity that there is little spiritual growth happening in American churches and, second, profiling many churches that have been effective at discipleship.
Did you know that the majority of Christians believe that the Bible says, "God helps those who help themselves."? It's true. And did you know that, according to Barna's survey results, the only issues on which Christians hold a statistically significant difference of opinion from non-Christians are alcohol, profanity and homosexuality. Therefore, we (Christians) are rightly perceived by others as gay-bashing prudes who can't have a good time.
Discipleship, Barna makes clear at the beginning, is focussed on having only one goal in life: to become more like Jesus, to grow into Christlikeness. And churches that are effective at discipleship produce Christians that are light and salt in the world, not mean-spirited critics.
Barna then assesses the programs used by those churches that are intentional about discipleship, and are effective at it. Pantego Bible Church is a very interesting example. Their pastor, Randy Frazee, wrote The Connecting Church, which lays out their philosophy of ministry in more detail.
This book is essential reading for those on church staffs and boards.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A key study on discipleship for church leadership, December 2, 2006
This review is from: Growing True Disciples: New Strategies for Producing Genuine Followers of Christ (Hardcover)
This is the first George Barna book I have read, although I have heard of his writings in discussions within the church I attend. I look forward to reading more of his work. This was one of two texts used in my Discipleship Ministries course in my master's seminary study.
Barna begins the book with the need for this writing, and the need to focus on disciple making within the church. He notes how the word "disciple" has lost its meaning and that today anyone who semi-regularly attends church without any outside study or work can be called a disciple by today's definition. He describes what Scriptural discipleship is and how it is much more than doing a few things for God. Instead, discipleship is devoting one's whole self to God, and the teachings of His Son, Jesus Christ.
He then discusses the importance of discipleship and gives a brief look at discipleship exemplified in Scripture. He lists the marks of discipleship according to the Bible, and in the next chapter gives the results of his individual surveys of Christians. He asks basic questions of the central dogmas of Christians to determine what the goals and knowledge level of people in the church. He surveys the discipleship activities of people, and their belief in what constitutes success spiritually. Some of his more surprising findings are that more than half surveyed have no specific goal in spiritual growth, and almost half believe that anyone can get to Heaven regardless of spiritual belief, despite most having a very high view of Scripture as the Word of God. He looks at different aspects of discipleship including service, study and evangelism. (Evangelism is a key aspect because many churches equate evangelism and discipleship, when Barna states from Scripture that it is only an aspect of discipleship.)
Then Barna describes how we as a church got to this point of discipleship (i.e. from Scriptural discipleship to the variations of concentration and different levels of commitment). His conclusion is that this is a leadership issue. He goes about describing the changes without being harsh or singling out any individuals or denominations. He describes the need for holistic discipleship rather than the partial discipleship views many churches have.
In chapter 6, George Barna switches from discussing his research of individuals to that of churches. He discusses the keys that effective discipling churches have and the methods that they employ. With Barna, the key is not a single method, but principles that underlie a given method. The method should be tailored to a congregation, and not something generic. In the methods, he focuses on 5 highly effective churches and their programs that have caused discipleship growth. He finishes with his "best of" model that takes the best attributes from each model, and creates a generic, principle-driven model for churches to use. This model is not a how-to, as each church has different needs, but is the framework in which to build a model that can best work in a given church. The onus is on the pastor to build it based on his knowledge of the community and congregation.
We see many books on effective church growth and effective evangelism, but this book on effective discipleship is the best way to cause a church to grow and to evangelize to the lost.
This is an important book. It is grounded on the Bible and utilizes observations of the church and of society to draw conclusions on the state of Christian discipleship in America. The underlying principles are designed for church leaders, but the book is supremely beneficial to people who are not in leadership roles, yet, as it discusses the needs of individuals in seeking true discipleship as well as giving guidelines for pastoral leaders in designing church-wide discipleship ministries.
Usually, I provide any negative things I note in the writing or organization, but with this book I had no such impressions. The book is logically organized, and is a highly edifying book, despite the controversial topics discussed. Never did I get a hint that Barna was being negative in his writing, but simply points out the needs of individuals and of churches.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not One of Barna's Best, March 10, 2004
This review is from: Growing True Disciples: New Strategies for Producing Genuine Followers of Christ (Hardcover)
I've read several of George Barna's books, and have great respect for him as an author. He brings integrity and fresh insight into all he writes. Having made those statements, Barna has had much better showings than he makes in this volume.
Barna shines when he gathers statistical data regarding the church in America and presents it in eye-opening fashion. In this work, he tells us what we already know -- the church needs to do a better job at making disciples. He does offer some helpful insights regarding Christian nurture and development, insights that are described better in other titles.
I give this book a "three" because it is Barna. If you're a Barna fan, read it and you won't be disappointed. If you are wanting a volume that is truly more "how to" rather than "this is the way things are", your money would be better invested elsewhere.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
