THIS IS BOOK IS FOR ALL OF US
This indeed is an excellent short book that helps all those who feel called upon to be disciple makers. Our calling is important, and also important is our desire to follow it up with proper understanding, wisdom, and training. This short book of 94 pages is an excellent tool which will not only help us see for ourselves whether we are really called upon to be disciple makers even as it equips us.
Pastor Mark Nysewander is a life-long evangelist ministering to people all around the world. His major concentration was originally in Mexico, but later on he ministered to people in other parts of the world as well. For a season of five years, Pastor Mark was the Senior Pastor of Bethany Missionary Church in Minneapolis which continues to focus on primarily taking the gospel of Christ to the nations.
THE POWER TO TRANSFORM AND THE ANEMIC CHURCHES
In the introduction, the focus is on the "power to transform not just people but entire communities." In contrast to this "sea of grace," Mark finds that in the contemporary Western Church, "we have been in the sterile desert of spectator Christianity. We dress up our anemic churches with programs, entertaining events and fascinating facilities but we don't make disciples who make disciples." The problem that we face is, "the Western Church loves a private expression of faith." This book is an invitation to all of us to "join the expedition."
THE CONTENTS OF THE BOOK
This short book is divided into ten chapters. The headings of the chapters describe the contents, but do not do justice to the force with which the points of focus are presented.
LIVING IN TENSION
Christian living is a living in tension. But this tension should propel us to come closer to Jesus, know him and follow him. This book aims at showing how this can be achieved. Even as Mark Nysewander emphasizes the need to become intimate with the Lord Jesus Christ in small groups, he does not forget to warn us how
the success of aiming for a few can become its own worst enemy. The manifest love of Jesus draws more and more people until you no longer have a few. Do you refuse to grow in order to protect the loving community of a few? Some churches are so afraid of losing their family atmosphere that they keep people out. But the answer is not keeping people out. The answer is multiplying communities of love (p. 29).
APOSTOLIC SUPERVISION
Apostolic supervision is another important characteristic that is emphasized in this short book.
As an apostolic supervisor you should not only be concerned with how you supervise but why you supervise. The main reason spectators supervise is to build their ministry. Because spectators are concerned with growing the event and adding more people, they help others to succeed so it expands their personal ministry. The only way they see the extension of the kingdom is in the framework of their ministry. Disciple-makers don't seek primarily to build their ministry (p. 83).
True, indeed!
Let us not be spectators! No more spectators!
Mark Nysewander, 2005. No More Spectators: The 8 Life-Changing Values of Disciple Makers. Sovereign World, Kent, England.