New Kind of Church, A: Understanding Models of Ministry for the 21st Century [Paperback]

Aubrey Malphurs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2007

How should we do church in a changing world?
There's no question the world is changing. Many churches are changing with it, adopting new models for ministry: emergent, seeker, purpose-driven, multisite, and so on. These models have been greeted with enthusiasm, but also with controversy and criticism. What are we to make of this? Does Scripture prescribe a standard model for doing church? Or is there freedom within certain guidelines?

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

How should we do church in a changing world?

There's no question the world is changing. Many churches are changing with it, adopting new models for ministry: emergent, seeker, purpose-driven, multisite, and so on. These models have been greeted with enthusiasm, but also with controversy and criticism. What are we to make of this? Does Scripture prescribe a standard model for doing church? Or is there freedom within certain guidelines?

In A New Kind of Church, respected church consultant Aubrey Malphurs addresses these important questions. The heart of the book outlines a means for evaluating any church model, including:
• a proper way of interpreting what Scripture says about the local church
• a theology of change
• a theology of culture and church
• a definition of the local church
This important book is for anyone concerned with the state of the church, but it is especially valuable for church leaders considering change in their own churches.

"Anyone who is a student of church health will greatly benefit from the sage wisdom Malphurs provides. This sort of insight is rare and valuable. Aubrey helps us confront our assumptions so we can move toward health and vitality in our congregations."--Alan Nelson, executive editor, Rev! magazine

"A New Kind of Church will encourage you to think biblically and strategically about the church in North America today. Aubrey Malphurs loves the church and its leaders and his insights will inspire."--Ed Stetzer, author, Breaking the Missional Code


Aubrey Malphurs is professor of pastoral ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary and president of The Malphurs Group (www.malphursgroup.com). He engages in church consulting and training and is the author of more than fifteen books, including Planting Growing Churches in the 21st Century.

About the Author

Aubrey Malphurs (Ph.D., Dallas Theological Seminary) is professor of pastoral ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary and president of The Malphurs Group. He engages in church consulting and training and is the author of numerous books, including Developing a Vision of Ministry in the Twenty-first Century.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (February 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801091896
• ISBN-13: 978-0801091896
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #544,769 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Aubrey Malphurs (Ph.D., Dallas Theological Seminary) is professor of pastoral ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary and president of The Malphurs Group. He engages in church consulting and training and is the author of numerous books, including Developing a Vision of Ministry in the Twenty-first Century.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, January 3, 2010

By 

David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: New Kind of Church, A: Understanding Models of Ministry for the 21st Century (Kindle Edition)

Overall I am disappointed with this book. In the first chapter Malphurs with broad strokes began painting a picture of the local church changing radically with the 21st century. He had my attention, with me hoping for some kind of new insight into how to address those changes. Instead, by chapter 3 he fell into a comparison of newer model churches such as Saddleback or Willow Creek to traditional model congregations. Throughout most of this volume, the author summarizes what has been said by other church growth authors, or what he has said in his other books. The best chapters of this book are chapters 1, 2 and 7. Chapter 1 identifies the changing church, and chapter 2 gives insight into why churches are changing. Chapter 7 addresses the vital nature of the local church, and what it is and isn't. With all the emphasis today on small Bible study groups and para-church movements, the authors' thoughts here are worth the price of the book.

This title is worth the money due to presence of the three chapters mentioned. It isn't worth the time to read it in its entirety, especially if you have read other works by Malphurs.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A much-needed addition to this discussion!, January 5, 2009

By 

Shannon D. Barnes "Helping people and organiz... (Greater Los Angeles Area, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: New Kind of Church, A: Understanding Models of Ministry for the 21st Century (Paperback)

I have always been an Aubrey Malphurs fan - respecting his depth, scholarship, and purposeful approach to helping churches flourish. This book is a timely, fair, and insightful addition to the dialogue about emerging church trends - both within the church and in the communities and populations those churches are serving. Before taking a dogmatic position based on limited information, I encourage every Christian leader to read this book. It is sure to facilitate a more balanced and productive conversation among pastors and leaders, and will serve to help churches find the future direction and mission-clarity they so desperately need.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Need Plea For Change, October 28, 2008

By 

Matthew Morine (Castle Rock, CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: New Kind of Church, A: Understanding Models of Ministry for the 21st Century (Paperback)

Aubrey Malphurs has numerous works about the church and congregational leadership on the market. I remember reading his book on planting churches which was excellent. This book is a needed wake up call to churches across America. He has some superb discussion on culture. He highlights the pervading influence that culture has on congregations. Culture is neither moral or immoral. Culture is. Also, there is good conversation on the need to change to reach the culture around us. There is too much resistance to change in too many congregations. A congregation must be evangelistic and willing to reach out to new people. The problem is that us church people dislike people who have little background in church operations. The little markers within a congregation are not understood by those outside of the church. This book help a lot of leadership within the church. Not all of it we would agree with, but some of it is excellent. It disliked the focus on the mega-church movement. The author seemed to like this style of operations for congregations, I see a better method than a willow creek style of church. Overall the book will be informative and helpful, especially in the beginning chapters.