A New Kind of Church: Understanding Models of Ministry for the 21st Century

by Aubrey M. Malphurs

Publisher:

Baker

, 2007

Overview

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.

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

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Key Features

• Examines how the church is changing
• Outlines how to evaluate any church model
• Provides insights into ways the church could change in the future

Contents

• Changing Times
  • Who Is Changing? Churches Are Changing
  • Why Are Churches Changing? The Buck Stops Here!
  • Should Churches Change? Arguments against New-Model Churches
• Changing Churches
  • Doing Church: Interpreting the Biblical Passages
  • The Changing Church: Developing a Theology of Change
  • The Connecting Church: Developing a Theology of Culture
  • Defining Church: Developing a Definition of the Local Church
  • The Serving Church: The Biblical Concept of Servanthood
  • The Thinking Church: Evaluating Church Models
  • The Strategizing Church: Developing a New-Model Church

Top Highlights

“The major issue we must address is wrapped up in this question: Is there a standard model for doing church? Does the Bible give us a correct, prescribed model that we’re all to follow? If so, is it more like today’s traditional or contemporary format? If not, then is each church free to develop its own model? Are there any biblical guidelines for this?” (Page 9)

“Critics must realize that they make decisions on at least two levels. One is the intellectual (thinking or reasoning) level and the other is the emotional level. The former is an open-minded response and the latter is close-minded.” (Page 154)

“While we’re obligated to serve him (doulos), we must at the same time be willing to serve him (diakonos). To sum it up: we willingly obligate ourselves to serve.” (Page 130)

“(the three Ps): preparation, process, and practice.” (Page 165)

“I worked with one such church where the preaching pastor put so much time and energy into the Sunday morning seeker service that he had nothing left for the midweek believers service, what Willow and others who follow the Willow model refer to as New Community. Eventually the church’s core believers began to atrophy spiritually and drifted away to other churches, looking for spiritual food. Therefore, I advise anyone starting a seeker church to use two teams. One is responsible for the Sunday morning seeker service, and the other is responsible for New Community.” (Page 147)

Praise for the Print Edition

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. Audrey 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. Audrey Malphurs loves the church and its leaders and his insights will inspire.

—Ed Stetzer, visiting professor of research and missiology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Product Details

• Title: A New Kind of Church
• Author: Aubrey M. Malphurs
• Publisher: Baker
• Print Publication Date: 2007
• Logos Release Date: 2011
• Pages: 208
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Mission of the church › North America
• ISBNs: 9781441256416, 9780801091896, 1441256415, 0801091896
• Resource ID: LLS:33BC024C81D5F9FCF0958CC821619CDD
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-28T20:09:21Z

About Aubrey M. Malphurs

Dr. Malphurs is a visionary with a deep desire to influence a new generation of leaders through his classroom, pulpit, consulting, and writing ministries. He is involved in a number of ministries ranging from church planting and growth to leadership development. He has pastored three churches and is the author of numerous books and articles on leadership and church ministry. Currently he is the president of the Malphurs Group and is a trainer and consultant to churches, denominations, and ministry organizations throughout North America and Europe. His research and teaching interests include church planting, church growth, and leadership development.