Discipleship Therapy Healthy Christians, Healthy Churches

A Kansan visited the church of his ancestors in Sweden. On Sunday only ten of 800 members came to worship. The churches that gave Christianity to America are now writing our obituary--unless we avoid their pitfalls! Dr. Epp sees one hope: to "disciple" people within the church (Mt. 28:18f); that is, to train followers like Jesus did his Twelve. Chapter 1 details the crippled church. The next chapters clarify foundational aspects: salvation, "following" Christ & calculating cost. Chapters 5 to 11 accent the functional aspects of the church. Sharing the faith, shining our lights via deeds of kindness & tapping into prayer-power are themes that are underscored. The exercise of forgiveness is taught, as well as the need to relate to others in Christ-like compassion. Exciting examples punctuate each lesson. Epp, a Mennonite pastor & discipler, draws on 35 years of church experience & how he discipled 128 men at his own house. Chapter 11, The Healthy Church, asserts that churches dare not drift aimlessly. It cites Search Institute regarding the value of "family religiousness" & church educational skills. It insists that worship & Bible study are best augmented with a network of small groups where caring & accountability are experienced, where peers minister to each other. This calls for a biblical strategy. The final chapter invites all church members to consider adopting 10-year goals in areas like giving, sharing faith, praying, serving, forgiving & relating to others. A Guide for Discussion Leaders is included in the book. To order DISCIPLESHIP THERAPY, contact Stairway Discipleship, Box D, Henderson, NE 68371. 402-723-4851. Price: 12.95.Epp, Albert H. is the author of 'Discipleship Therapy Healthy Christians, Healthy Churches' with ISBN 9780963818577 and ISBN 0963818570.