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The Five Smooth Stones: Essential Principles for Biblical Ministry
Bemused by the constant rising and falling of new methodologies when
he began a career in ministry over fifty years ago, university president
Robertson McQuilkin has ever since committed his work to a core group
of enduring ministry principles that he calls “the five smooth stones.” In summary, these principles the Bible (making it the functional
authority), the Congregation (aligning it with the biblical purposes), the
Spirit (releasing his energizing power), the Plan of Redemption (the mission
of every disciple), and the Lord Jesus (model of servant leadership). While that outline may seem very obvious, one must ask why so many
churches and other ministries fail somewhere along the way. Could it be
a simple lack of commitment to relentlessly measure every effort by these
key standards? McQuilkin has witnessed the success of his method through five decades
of dynamic service, from church planting to foreign missions to the
academic arena. The Five Smooth Stones is his invitation to join in the
deep reflection, honest evaluation, and courageous integration of each
principle here in order to bless every aspect of your ministry.
he began a career in ministry over fifty years ago, university president
Robertson McQuilkin has ever since committed his work to a core group
of enduring ministry principles that he calls “the five smooth stones.” In summary, these principles the Bible (making it the functional
authority), the Congregation (aligning it with the biblical purposes), the
Spirit (releasing his energizing power), the Plan of Redemption (the mission
of every disciple), and the Lord Jesus (model of servant leadership). While that outline may seem very obvious, one must ask why so many
churches and other ministries fail somewhere along the way. Could it be
a simple lack of commitment to relentlessly measure every effort by these
key standards? McQuilkin has witnessed the success of his method through five decades
of dynamic service, from church planting to foreign missions to the
academic arena. The Five Smooth Stones is his invitation to join in the
deep reflection, honest evaluation, and courageous integration of each
principle here in order to bless every aspect of your ministry.
- GenresChurchTheologyLeadership
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 5, 2016
In Five Smooth Stones: Essential Principles for Biblical Ministry, Robertson McQuilkin draws upon over fifty years of ministry experience in foreign missions to present five enduring principles for ministry. Frustrated by the failing of so many ministry methodologies, McQuilkin wondered what would happen if one were to "wed" theology to ministry, and this inquiry set him on a lifelong path of discovery, culminating in this work. By applying key Bible doctrines to ministry, McQuilkin spends the remainder of his book unpacking five basic biblical principles for doing ministry: 1) making the Bible the functioning authority of the church, 2) aligning the congregation with biblical purposes, 3) releasing the energizing power of the Spirit, 4) affirming the Plan of Redemption as the mission of every disciple, and 5) gauging servant leadership by the example of the Lord Jesus.
McQuilkin argues that these "five smooth stones" represent a water mark by which we may evaluate our current work, suggesting that while these appear to be simple standards, our day-to-day ministry often falls short of embracing them biblically. The book is therefore an invitation to reflect deeply, to evaluate honestly, and to integrate courageously each of the principles he sets forth, so that the Bible, and only the Bible, becomes our final authority over life and ministry, so that we understand the Church as central to all of God's plans for redeeming the world, so that we rely on the energizing power of the Holy Spirit for life and for ministry, so that we see God's redemptive plan as the mission of every disciple, and so that we exalt the Lord Jesus Christ as sovereign in both the life of the believer, and in the life of the church.
I loved this book! Within my own ministry context as a pastor, I will be able to make each of these five smooth stones a part of my ministry toolbox. In practical terms, it will be very helpful to ask the question, "Does this ministry endeavor (whatever it is) fall under the functional authority of Scripture? What does God's Word have to say about it?" We say that these things matter, but without taking the time and asking the questions, we very often run full steam ahead with our own ideas. Remembering that the Church is God's design, central to His redemptive plans for the world, makes me look again at the forms of worship we have adopted. Are we just "doing" church? What does it mean to "be" the church? Is the Holy Spirit welcome in our services? Can He interrupt our well planned liturgy? Are we ready to wait in His presence again? Will we encourage all of the gifts of the Spirit, or will we try to "manage" God? These are all questions that we need to ask and answer.
Five Smooth Stones will make you ask many more questions about the way that we do church, and McQuilkin offers some wonderful counsel along the way. Highly recommended!
McQuilkin argues that these "five smooth stones" represent a water mark by which we may evaluate our current work, suggesting that while these appear to be simple standards, our day-to-day ministry often falls short of embracing them biblically. The book is therefore an invitation to reflect deeply, to evaluate honestly, and to integrate courageously each of the principles he sets forth, so that the Bible, and only the Bible, becomes our final authority over life and ministry, so that we understand the Church as central to all of God's plans for redeeming the world, so that we rely on the energizing power of the Holy Spirit for life and for ministry, so that we see God's redemptive plan as the mission of every disciple, and so that we exalt the Lord Jesus Christ as sovereign in both the life of the believer, and in the life of the church.
I loved this book! Within my own ministry context as a pastor, I will be able to make each of these five smooth stones a part of my ministry toolbox. In practical terms, it will be very helpful to ask the question, "Does this ministry endeavor (whatever it is) fall under the functional authority of Scripture? What does God's Word have to say about it?" We say that these things matter, but without taking the time and asking the questions, we very often run full steam ahead with our own ideas. Remembering that the Church is God's design, central to His redemptive plans for the world, makes me look again at the forms of worship we have adopted. Are we just "doing" church? What does it mean to "be" the church? Is the Holy Spirit welcome in our services? Can He interrupt our well planned liturgy? Are we ready to wait in His presence again? Will we encourage all of the gifts of the Spirit, or will we try to "manage" God? These are all questions that we need to ask and answer.
Five Smooth Stones will make you ask many more questions about the way that we do church, and McQuilkin offers some wonderful counsel along the way. Highly recommended!
December 10, 2012
The Five Smooth Stones
Author: Robertson McQuilkin
Nashville, B & H Publishing Group, 2007
Number of pages: 208
The Five Smooth Stones is the product of Robertson McQuilkin’s more than fifty years of ministry. Even in his early years, new ministry methods and methodologies came and went. That has not stopped. So what's right? Is there a method that will last? New voices in ministry say that methodology and theology must be kept separate in order for both to be strong and meaningful; if combined, methods are feeble and theology is marginalized. Does that mean the Bible doesn't speak to methods? McQuilkin says no. The Bible is a wonderful guide for ministry.
McQuilkin organizes the book around these Five Smooth Stones:
The Bible: making it the functional authority
The Congregation: aligning it with the biblical purposes
The Spirit: releasing his energizing power
The Plan of Redemption: the mission of every disciple.
The Lord Jesus: gauging servant leadership.
All five of the above areas need to be given equal attention or the church will be out of balance. The church will only be as strong as the weakest area. The weak area will be like a flat spot on a wheel; it slows down the rhythm and momentum of church growth and effectiveness.
McQuilkin draws from his fives decades of personal and ministry experience that has developed in him a deep well of wisdom.
The emphasis McQuilkin has is on fulfilling God's purposes on earth through His chosen vehicle, the church. An attempt to find McQuilkin biased toward one denomination or another within Protestantism is difficult. He sites examples of both praise and critique across a wide spectrum from Pentecostal to Baptist to Reformed. None are given preference one way or another. None are written off as bad or held up as the only way to do church.
McQuilkin includes helpful flow charts and tables to illustrate the concepts he discusses. This book will be on my shelf as a reference and recommended manual. Anyone in church leadership will benefit from this book. Anyone with a heart set on planting a church or looking for a way to bring an out of balance work back under the Lordship of Jesus Christ will profit greatly from The Five Smooth Stones.
http://mondokblog.blogspot.com/2009/0...
Author: Robertson McQuilkin
Nashville, B & H Publishing Group, 2007
Number of pages: 208
The Five Smooth Stones is the product of Robertson McQuilkin’s more than fifty years of ministry. Even in his early years, new ministry methods and methodologies came and went. That has not stopped. So what's right? Is there a method that will last? New voices in ministry say that methodology and theology must be kept separate in order for both to be strong and meaningful; if combined, methods are feeble and theology is marginalized. Does that mean the Bible doesn't speak to methods? McQuilkin says no. The Bible is a wonderful guide for ministry.
McQuilkin organizes the book around these Five Smooth Stones:
The Bible: making it the functional authority
The Congregation: aligning it with the biblical purposes
The Spirit: releasing his energizing power
The Plan of Redemption: the mission of every disciple.
The Lord Jesus: gauging servant leadership.
All five of the above areas need to be given equal attention or the church will be out of balance. The church will only be as strong as the weakest area. The weak area will be like a flat spot on a wheel; it slows down the rhythm and momentum of church growth and effectiveness.
McQuilkin draws from his fives decades of personal and ministry experience that has developed in him a deep well of wisdom.
The emphasis McQuilkin has is on fulfilling God's purposes on earth through His chosen vehicle, the church. An attempt to find McQuilkin biased toward one denomination or another within Protestantism is difficult. He sites examples of both praise and critique across a wide spectrum from Pentecostal to Baptist to Reformed. None are given preference one way or another. None are written off as bad or held up as the only way to do church.
McQuilkin includes helpful flow charts and tables to illustrate the concepts he discusses. This book will be on my shelf as a reference and recommended manual. Anyone in church leadership will benefit from this book. Anyone with a heart set on planting a church or looking for a way to bring an out of balance work back under the Lordship of Jesus Christ will profit greatly from The Five Smooth Stones.
http://mondokblog.blogspot.com/2009/0...
October 22, 2015
Awesome resource for ensuring that the Lord's ministry is done His way! Very practical and a quick read loaded with Scripture to direct all aspects of ministry. Whether it be pastoral,deacon,chaplain, or lay person this book is a great resource to own.
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