Customer Reviews

The Master's Plan for the Church

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To many churches focus on entertainment and people pleaser messages as their means of increasing their numbers. Churches forget that it is not our job to grow the church, that is Jesus' job. This book does not waste time going into concepts and strategies that will increase the size of the church. But instead focuses on what the Biblical structure is for the body of Christ. John MacArthur does not focus on how to increase the width of the church, but the depth. There is not a single church in the Bible ever commended for it's size. Excellent Book !

This was a very helpful book. I consider this book more as a manual on ministry to be referred to again and again. This is not a book that you read once, say "I got it", and never pick up gain. I highly recommend it for leaders and future leaders of churches so as to pattern ministry after the Bible, rather than the shifting sand of culture's preferences.

The introductory title says it all "Shepherds and Construction Workers." Right from the start, MacArthur sets his paradigm against the popular opinion of what church leaders should be doing. Church leadership is not management and is not glamorous. Rather, it is spiritual ministry (Jn 13:3-17) and spiritual construction with God to build the church (1 Cor 3:9-11).

This book is divided up into 3 parts not including the appendix.
Part 1. The Anatomy of a Church: MacArthur walks through the scriptural analogy of the Church being Christ's body with Himself as the Head (Col 2:19, Col 1:18).
a. The skeletal structure. The "skeletal" structure of the church is the critical components to being a church; if it yields, it is no longer a church: A high view of God, absolute authority of scripture, sound doctrine, personal holiness, and spiritual authority.
b. The internal systems. The spiritual attitudes necessary for church vitality: Obedience (he writes, "the all-pervasive attitude that makes all other attitudes possible"), humility, love, unity, willingness to serve, joy, peace, thankfulness, self discipline, accountability, forgiveness, dependence, flexibility, desire for growth, faithfulness, and hope.
c. The muscles. That which enables the body to function: Preaching and teaching, evangelism and missions, worship, prayer, discipleship, shepherding, building up families, training, giving, and fellowship.
d. The Head. The most important part. The Head of the church is the Lord Jesus Christ. Without Him we can do nothing (Jn 15:5). Then, he points to Christ the Head as Savior, Shepherd, Sovereign, and Sanctifier.

Part 2: The Dynamic Church
a. The Pattern of the early church. He discusses the founding of the church, the ministry of the church, and the leadership of the church.
b. Elders, deacons, and other church members.
c. The Thessalonian model. A surrendered, soul-winning, second coming, steadfast, and submissive church.
d. The Marks of an Effective church: Godly leaders, discipleship, an emphasis on penetrating the community, active church members, concern for one another, devotion to the family, bible teaching and preaching, willingness to change, great faith, sacrifice, and worship.
e. The calling of the church: Called BEFORE: Election, Called OUT: Redemption, Called TO: Sanctification, Called TO: Identification, Called UNDER: Revelation, Called WITH: Unification, Called UNTO: Glorification, and Called FOR: proclamation.
f. The Lord's work in the Lord's way: vision for the future, sense of flexibility, commitment to thoroughness, commitment to present service, acceptance of opposition as a challenge, a team spirit, and a sensitivity to the Spirit's leading in others.

Part 3: Qualities of an Excellent Servant
a. Understanding the seducing spirit
b. Understanding the duties of ministry
c. Shepherding the flock of God

The book also has a huge appendix of 150 pages. It answers:
1. Answering the Key Questions about Elders
2. Answering the Key Questions about Deacons
3. Qualifications for Spiritual Leadership
4. Elements of Church Discipline
5. Restoring a Sinning Brother or Sister
6. Should Fallen Leaders be Restored?
7. The Danger of False Teaching
8. Why I still Preach the Bible
9. Why Personal Integrity is Crucial for the Church
10. Why I love the Church
11. Why Doctrine is practical

Although the "Master's Plan for the Church" (MPftC) came out before "Ashamed of the Gospel" (AotG), I recommend reading AotG before MPftC. AotG presents a broader base for what problems exist (e.g., watering down the gospel) and why they exist. MPftC is more of a practical application -- now that AotG has shown what to avoid, MPftC shows a better way to implement things in your church. Our denomination (CRC - Christian Reformed Church) has most of those things in place and does a pretty good job of staying true to how a church should be run. MPftC helps keep our minds in line with doing the right things and not just things because "we've always done it that way". Most of the chapters and appendixes are taken from sermons at the author's church. The format is easy to read and well organized. The appendixes fill the final one-third of the book and are required reading. I recommend getting both books for your church library (we have AotG and probably will get MPftC soon).

John MacArthur has done an excellent job explaining from the Scriptures the plan that God has ordained for the local church. He teaches what the Bible says about elders, deacons, women's roles, church discipline, preaching, etc. Very scholarly without being dry. Excellent exegesis.

Very thorough and to the point in so many aspects of the church. From backing up why a plurality of elders to church discipline. A very good read that will point the reader of what God truly wants from His church based on the biblical model set forth in the New Testament. I extremely liked the area describing the elder; his qualifications and disqualifications based on what the Greek text provides.

In the back of the book in the appendixes he then tackles questions regarding different aspects of the church, such as major questions regarding elders and deacons. He defends many topics including having one of the elders being the lead (teaching pastor) to why the elders can, but not as a rule, be paid.

I would recommend this to anyone wanting to reconfirm what the Bible teaches on the church and not our traditions passed on generation upon generation. Very big help!

MacArthur's plan for the "church" is extremely sound. His preceptions are based on origional language of the Bible and will work for anyone committed to establishing a God honoring body of believers.

John MacArthur once again brings true christianity and biblical teaching forth with clarity. If we who are called out(The Church) truly want to follow God and make the church the institution for the glory of God then we ought to follow the design God projected in scriptures which is the Master's Plan For The Church. For if the church is not built on God's design we are prescribing a prescription for disaster. This book is a must for any pastor or leader or Christian.

The Author has not raised a church that practices this nor does he preaches or teaches a gospel that can make it possible. When it comes to Christ and the Church the saying "Those who cannot do, write." is most appropriate. This is no indictment against the Author but it is an indictment against the demonic mindset we have received from church fathers of the past that has so corrupted our view of Christ and the Church that we don't bother to evaluate how it has effected us or question it. Christians need reality, not more philosophy. Don't bother with this book.