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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

'The Trellis and the Vine' A Review


The Trellis and the Vine is a hot new title about ministry from Matthias Media that I somewhat ironically discovered through Tim Challies Blog. Apparently it was given to every participant at the last T4G conference in America, making it in the process a minor best-seller. I've posted a longer and more comprehensive review here, but this is a snapshot review.

Mini-Review:

Marshall and Payne use the metaphor of a vine growing over a Trellis for the way word based discipleship building ministry relates to Church structures like committees and buildings.  They argue that discipleship is relational, important and that all Christians should be involved in it.  I'm not convinced entirely by their definition of what constitutes vine work but see the value of this book in the clear way it cuts across encrusted on church patterns of doing ministry.

Controversy:

Interestingly, Andrew Katay an Anglican minister in Sydney, has penned a critical three part review where he argues the overall logic of the metaphor doesn't work.  The book's ideas are worthwhile but it makes a bold case so I would encourage interested readers to read Katay's criticisms.