LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

A READING REFLECTION ON A NEW KIND OF CHURCH: UNDERSTANDING MODELS OF MINISTRY FOR THE 21st CENTURY
BY

AUBREY MALPHURS

A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. GEOFF HAMMOND IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE CHURCH PLANTING METHODS AND CULTURE EVAN 610

BY

ROBERT C. STILWELL, JR. L22445103

BETHALTO, IL FEBRUARY 21, 2013

Table of Contents Summary ..............................................................................................................................1 Critical Evaluation. ..............................................................................................................4 Weaknesses............................................................................................................4 Strengths ................................................................................................................5 Personal Ministry Application .............................................................................................6 Bibliography ........................................................................................................................9

ii

Introduction In his book, A New Kind of Church: Understanding Models of Ministry for the 21st Century, Aubrey Malphurs offers an insightful look at several effective new church models and methods. Citing numerous statistics to support his view, Malphurs trumpets the great need for todays church to change its methods for reaching the unchurched, as well as retaining current members. These changes are necessary to make church attendance and participation in ministry relevant and inviting within the context of modern cultural trends. Noting that the church in America was established generations ago, He suggests that the way church was done in years past is no longer effective in attracting and keeping people in the ever-changing world in which we now live. To this end, Malphurs provides a unique perspective in his systematic evaluation of both old and new church models, based upon his definition of a biblical church, as well as his experience serving in several different model churches, both old and new. Summary Malphurs begins A New Kind of Church by offering a statistical look at the state of the American church, noting the startling figures that 80% of churches are plateaued or declining in attendance and membership, while the number of unchurched people and those in cults and other religious groups rose at the alarming rate of 92% over a thirteen year span from 1991 to 2004.1 Furthermore, Malphurs cites distressing numbers which indicate younger generations, those born after 1964 and constitute the future of the church, as well as the nation, are 65-70% unchurched.2 He suggests that these issues are not necessarily a problem with the traditional church model, but rather, with churches

Aubrey Malphurs, A New Kind of Church: Understanding Models of Ministry for the 21 st Century, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2007), 18-19
2

Ibid., 20

that do not recognize that people and their preferences change or are simply afraid or unwilling to modify their way of doing church in order to address these changes. Malphurs continues by examining the reasons why some churches are indeed changing their methods and models. He begins by offering several cultural reasons why Americans are not attending church and follows with areas where the church is at fault. Among these church faults, he discusses the churchs slowness to change, failure to take advantage of opportunities and the devaluing of evangelism. In chapter 3, Malphurs moves to the arguments against new-model churches by first addressing the idea of the self-policing church, i.e., who should address error and how to do so. He provides a biblical-theological grid through which to filter truth from error, consisting of the essentials of the faith, the non-essentials and Christian love for those who differ on essentials and non-essentials. Malphurs then lists several of the arguments new-model church critics present. Proper interpretation of the Scriptural passages on how to do church is next in line for Malphurs. First, he presents the problem: various people view church ministry differently.3 Within this section, he discusses the influence of tradition on church methods and models. Second, he proposes a solution, which is the proper hermeneutic for these passages. Here, Malphurs addresses the pros and cons of the descriptive and prescriptive approaches to determining biblical mandates for the church today, as well as the negative principle, i.e., omission due to Scriptural silence on a subject, and positive principle, that is, the freedom to employ practices not found in Scripture. He also touches on patterning todays church after the apostolic church.

Ibid., 61

Finally, he promotes the idea that the church is bound only to following biblical principles, not necessarily the patterns and practices of the early church.4 Next, Malphurs addresses the concept of developing a theology of change, which he suggests to include function, form and freedom. His definition of the functions of the church is the timeless, unchanging, and nonnegotiable precepts that are based on Scripture and are mandates for all churches to pursue to accomplish their purpose.5 Among these vital functions, he includes teaching, fellowship, worship, evangelism and service. Malphurs defines the forms of the church as the temporal, changing, and negotiable practices that are based on culturethat all churches are free to choose.6 In other words, the methods churches use to practice their functions. He follows with a brief look at the implications, limitations and restrictions of the freedom to choose these forms. Developing a theology of culture is the next topic of discussion. In this section, Malphurs looks at the importance of culture and its impact on the church. Specifically, he discusses how the church must understand the culture in its locale and remain culturally relevant in order to connect to the unchurched. Malphurs then offers his definition of the local church, which includes its necessity, organizational structure and purpose, providing biblical support for his definition. Following his definition of the local church, Malphurs addresses biblical concept of servanthood, focusing on the teachings of Jesus and Paul, and then applies these teachings to the church today. He cites three churches in particular that have
4

Ibid., 72 Ibid., 77 Ibid., 85

embraced the servanthood mentality of meeting the physical as well as spiritual needs of the lost and needy; 1) Steve Sjogrens Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati; 2) Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock; and 3) Willow Creek Community Church outside Chicago. Malphurs finally comes to the real topic of the bookevaluating church models. Here, he utilizes the filters he presented earlier; essentials of the faith, non-essentials and Christian love. He notes that this process can be utilized to evaluate any church model, from traditional to those to come. He also includes topics of previous discussion in this process; a biblical hermeneutic, theologies of change and culture, and a biblical definition of the church. Turning to a closer examination of the arguments against new-model churches, Malphurs lays out each argument and follows each with an admonition for selfexamination for leaders in every model of church. He follows with his defense of newmodel churches. In the closing chapter, Malphurs discusses the nuts and bolts of actually developing a new church model. He provides a step-by-step process with which to prepare, develop and implement a new model from the ground up. In the appendices, Malphurs provides two simple evaluations for assessing a churchs readiness for change and determining its core values. These could be use by both church leaders and congregants in preparation for implementing change, as well as discovering areas in need of change. Critical Evaluation Weaknesses

Aside from the obvious fact that the statistics Malphurs cites are now outdated in all likelihood, current figures paint an even gloomier picture of the state of the churchand somewhat overwhelming in quantity, there is little in the way of weakness in A New Kind of Church. Possibly, the overall structure of the book could be seen as somewhat hodge-podge. For example, Malphurs oddly includes his definition of the local church in the middle of the book. It seems that this chapter would have better served the reader in the first two chapters, setting the table for the remainder. Another weakness, albeit minor, is the fact that chapter 3 is titled Should Churches Change?, yet this question is not addressed. Rather, Malphurs focuses this chapter on discussing church error and briefly summarizing the arguments against newmodel churches. Although misleading, this erroneous chapter title does not affect the purpose of the book, which is to cause all church leaders, regardless which model church they lead, to examine the effectiveness of their church in fulfilling the Great Commission and implement change, if necessary. Strengths A New Kind of Church contains numerous strengths. One, of which, is the biblically-based and systematic way in which Malphurs approaches the topic of the need for churches to change in order to be relevant to an ever-changing culture. He does not simply state his views and present his arguments, although it becomes quite apparent that he supports new-model churches. Rather, he lays out the pros and cons on both sides of the debate and allows the reader to decide for himself. Malphurs use of statistics and biblical support for his statements serve to further support the idea of the need for change within the church in order to reach the lost and retain church attendees and members, today and in the future. While these statistics tend

to become ponderous, they, nevertheless, serve as chief incentive for the need for changing churches in a changing culture. Unlike many books of its kind, A New Kind of Church does not merely talk about new church models, but actually provides a process for launching a new church plant using these models, which includes the preparation and design aspects. For a new or potential church planter, this is invaluable information! This reason alone is enough to make A New Kind of Church a resource that can be referred to again and again. Another strength of this book is Malphurs definition and description of the functions and forms of the church. This reader, for one, had never given much thought church practices, but when seen through Malphurs perspective, it is easy to understand why churches do what they do. These concepts further aid church leaders in assessing the methods, motives and effectiveness of their churchs ministries. Malphurs process of evaluating church models by sifting them through the grid of the filters of essentials of the faith, non-essentials and Christian love is yet another great asset to this work. Not only does this process serve as an indispensible guide to those in the church planting field, but it enables leaders of existing churches to evaluate their own churches as well. Overall, A New Kind of Church is an invaluable resource for any and all church leaders. Its processes for church model evaluation and church planting alone are ample reasons to make this a staple on every church leaders bookshelf. Personal Ministry Application A New Kind of Church has certainly been a blessing to me. As a future church planter, the practical wisdom Malphurs shares has brought clarity to the planning and

preparation stages of my church plant, as well as a sense of relief from the uneasiness of completing such a monumental task. Notably, his simple method of church model evaluation, particularly by using the principle approach, as well as the filters of essentials and non-essentials, cuts through all the clutter and brings the entire process down to the bare essentials, which is the idea that the church is obligated to follow only the principles, not necessarily the patterns and practices, of the early church.7 I whole-heartedly agree! All too often, church leaders, especially those in long-lived traditional model churches, can become bound by tradition. I am seeing this in my nearly 100 years old traditional model church right now. As the new kid on the block, having served there for just under two years and coming from a contemporary church, I can see the struggle of the pastoral staff in implementing change because of the traditional mindset of many long-time members. This issue is exasperated by the fact that the majority of our congregation consists of seniors. Their steadfast unwillingness to change is indeed hindering not only church and Kingdom growth, but the spiritual growth of many younger members. Reluctance to change the Bible version used in preaching, which would make Scripture easier to read and more understandable, resistance to the use of technology, which is a must for reaching the video generation of today, and opposition to the use of any musical instruments other than piano and organ all combine to stifle our ability to reach people in todays culture and nurture spiritual growth in our young believers. While our worship pastor has tried to gradually incorporate contemporary praise choruses into the service, he has been met with heavy resistance, and even rebuking, from several of the traditionalists. This is quite ironic because they admittedly recognize that change is essential to retaining the young adult
7

Ibid., 72

church members and reaching unchurched young people in the community, particularly young families, yet they absolutely refuse to accept any change to the way we worship or proclaim the Word of God. As I teach and disciple the next generation of church leaders, I repeatedly hammer on the need to change with the times and not get caught up in meaningless, man-made traditions that sacrifice saving souls for the sake of personal comfort. Malphurs states, We must be active and aggressive when it comes to handling change in our churches.8 I say, Amen! We cannot and must not sit idly by while the culture around us changes, rendering the church irrelevant and obsolete. Just as Paul became all things to all men (1 Cor. 9:22, NASB) by making his presentation of the Gospel culturally relevant, we must also adapt our methods to reach the lost within the context of their culture. If I retain only one principle from this book and apply it to my future church plant, it will be this unchanging truth. If we would approach local church ministry as if we were on mission in some foreign land, the idea of cultural contextualization would be a no-brainer. I thank God for A New Kind of Church! This practical, informative and insightful book was exactly what I needed and at precisely the perfect time (Praise the Lord!) in order to clarify my calling in the field of new church planting and the methods with which my future church plant will reach the lost.

Ibid., 76

Bibliography Malphurs, Aubrey. A New Kind of Church: Understanding Models of Ministry for the 21st Century. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2007.