The Disciple-Making Church

This is a review of the book entitled The Disciple-Making Church by Bill Hull. It was published in Grand Rapids, Michigan by Revell; who copyrighted the material in 1990. It includes five chapters and a three-part appendix. It also includes a short forward and introduction. The introduction asks the question: "Is Disciple Making for Everyone?" Hull begins by dredging up the problems with discipleship in the past and in the contemporary church. He mentions how the church has neglected discipleship at home for the sake of evangelism abroad; and how leaders that are committed to discipleship face challenges and conflict. The writing of Hull's book may be explained in part by the three goals that he has set. The first is to "make discipling more acceptable to the established church;" the second, "to encourage pastors and church leaders to accept their biblical mandate;" and thirdly, "leadership development." These certainly are good goals; even though they seem altogether ironic that the church should be reminded of these basic ideas. It is in Hull's introduction though, that include probably the most spectacular statements about models of discipleship. If there are any fireworks created to gain the reader's interest or commotion that would create discussion; it would include what he calls, "a full-bodied discipling model." Spectacle for the whole beginning of the book begins with these words: "I have attempted to document the biblical transition of discipline from the Christocentric model, which relied on Christ's leadership alone, to the churchocentric model, which developed leadership within the congregation." After I read those words, I had to very closely read the following ideas concerning why it would be an issue for a disciple to rely on the leadership of Christ Jesus and be developed out of that relationship. In addition to that, Hull also talks about "three major tracks to guide a church through a transition" .... and a "three-tiered seminar course that offers the inspiration and know how to make a discipling church." Frankly, along with it sounded like a carefully crafted sales pitch. A third characteristic of Hull's book is the definitive sections that are labeled appropriately. It is simply and definitively written into strict topical sections. These three aspects of Hull's introduction simply made me both skeptical because of the `pitchy' introduction and curious because of an emphasis on something other than a `Christocentric' approach. When one thinks of a `Christocentric' model; it is natural to assume that Christ would be central to development in discipleship. What could possibly be wrong with that? Although I was instantly skeptical and somewhat confused by Hull's argument; I personally gave him a little latitude because he did seem to relegate the `churchocentric' idea to things that can only be influenced by a principle of church work. In other words, aside from understanding that people are influenced thr

Hull outlines what a church based on discipleship principles looks like. He casts a good vision of why discipling is important, talks about the core values, and then outlines the progression in the early church from first church, to mission church, and finally discipling church. He discusses how Jesus developed formed a group of twelve leaders to carry out ministry, and how every church needs this type of approach in the 21st century. His appendix on building a leadership community is relevant and exciting -- especially to those planting cell-based churches. There is also a good section on how to structure small groups. Hull's best work thus far. This is a book that every church planter and pastor wishing to increase the leadership quotient in his church should read.