The People of God: Empowering the Church to Make Disciples

by Trevor Joy, Spence Shelton

The most powerful asset a church has is it’s people.  People of God  is a challenge to the men and women of the church. It is a challenge to believe what God says about his people still applies to the church today. It is a challenge not to settle for church as just a program. It is a challenge to return the ministry of God to the people of God.   People of God  lays out the theology and practice of community. Authors Spence Shelton and Trevor Joy seek to show why community is central to the Christian life, and how to practice it in the 21st century church. Whether you are a pastor or a volunteer leader, People of God  aims to equip and encourage congregations as they build a culture of discipleship in the life of their church. The authors draw on experiences and learnings from their time leading two of the fastest growing congregations in America to give you principles that can apply in a church of 50 or 15,000. 

Genres: Discipleship, Ecclesiology, Church

184 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2014

About the author

Trevor Joy is the Spiritual Formation Pastor of the Village Church in Dallas, TX. A proud Texas A&M Aggie, Joy holds an M.A. from Dallas Baptist University and consults with numerous churches in the areas of community and discipleship. Trevor and his wife Rachel are blessed with one daughter and two sons.

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a severe disappointment. The more I read, the less stars I knew it was going to get. In the end, the authors earned two stars for at least getting the various Scripture passages they mention correct. I really can't offer any other positive comment.

Want to know the whole book? Here it goes: community, paradigm, leader, group, community, principle, "what we call", disciple, Bonhoeffer quote, community, rhythms, "I", gospel, community, #weareawesome, #ourchurchisthebest, #bro.

Maybe I've read too much Thom Rainer (a guy who truly knows what he's talking about), but this book oozes with "bro Christianity", dudes that believe they have all the principles right and if you, dear reader, will simply but into practice everything they are selling, you too will have an ever-growing, expanding ministry that actually loves Jesus...unlike all those lame ministries that don't do things they way we do. The vast majority of the principles the authors point to are biblically accurate! But their constant references to themselves and their own ministries reeks of bro Christianity arrogance.

Like I said, a severe disappointment.

[Dan Kassis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trevor Joy's book on discipleship contains a solid biblical foundation, features a logical flow, and offers good advice for any gospel-centered church to follow. The problem is in its execution. It's almost as if the book bypassed the typical editorial process. I found Joy's writing frustrating and at times tiring as I tried to discern what he was trying to say amidst cliches, circular reasoning, and unnecessary repetition. The book repeatedly references better books on this subject, which I would recommend in its place, having read most of them myself. Funny enough, I found J.D. Greear's afterward the best-written part of the book. It's possible he had more editorial help.

I would have found this book much more applicable and relevant had it been written with more care. Personally, I'd be willing to take a crack at it for any second edition.

[Kristi Jett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to lead in church ministry. Especially teachers of Sunday School classes, small groups, etc.

[Murray McLellan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to give a great overview of making disciples including some great practical ideas.

[Michael Philliber · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're thinking about revamping or starting up small groups at your church - then this is may be the book you and your Session need to read. But it's about bigger and better thing than just small groups.Give a glance at my review:

http://mphilliber.blogspot.com/2014/0...

[Matthew Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best resource on advocating the small group model, and how a church can implement the small model. Some chapters are better than others, but the chapters on alignment of the sermon and small groups and the chapter on the truths of community are worth the price of the book. Very practical, and recommended. Compliment this with Simple Church by Thom Rainer

[Tim Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

not a bad book. simple. an easy read. a somewhat comprehensive walk through small groups centered around discipleship. nothing groundbreaking, yet, simple enough that many church leaders should take note. if small group ministry is not aligned with the greater ministry of the church there will be problems.

[Paul Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible for what is. Easy read, but very to the point and convicting. Highly recommended for all pastors AND all group leaders (or want-to-be leaders). Absolutely enlightening. Will continue to re-read in the future.

[J. J.]

Very helpful. Two seasoned pastors pulling in the same traces as me, but much farther down the furrow, provide stirring reminders of what really matters in the life of a local body of believers.

[Anthony Rodriguez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Not as much "how" as I would have liked. The "why and what," though solid, was all fairly basic stuff.