Style Or Substance? The Nature of True Christian Ministry
Overview
In every age, Christians experience pressure to embrace contemporary culture. In Corinth, the church had been infiltrated by some who had grown weary of the message of the cross: whose boast was in outward appearance. In 2 Corinthians 2-7, Paul writes into this setting, urging the Corinthians then, and us today, to embrace the ‘weak’ ministry of Gospel proclamation, to partner with ‘weak’ Christians, and to boast in ‘weak’ ministers. It is in this weakness that God's power is exhibited. Nothing could be more opposite to our celebrity culture.
Key Features
- Provides an in depth look at 2 Corinthians 2-7
- Compares the traits of Paul’s ministry to contemporary examples
- Analyzes themes of commending, boasting, and comforting
Contents
- The Pattern of Authentic Christian Ministry (2 Corinthians 2:14-17)
- The Substance of Authentic Christian Ministry (2 Corinthians 3:1-18)
- The Motivations of Authentic Christian Ministry (2 Corinthians 4:1-6)
- The Experience of Authentic Christian Ministry (2 Corinthians 4:7-16a)
- The Shape of Authentic Christian Ministry (2 Corinthians 11:16–12:10 Bonus Chapter)
- The Perspective of Authentic Christian Ministry (2 Corinthians 4:16–5:10)
- The Scope of Authentic Christian Ministry (2 Corinthians 5:6–6:2)
- The Allegiance of Authentic Christian Ministry (2 Corinthians 6:3–7:4)
Praise for the Print Edition
Imagine a dynamic church ministry built on down to earth teaching. Or what about extraordinary gospel work through very ordinary people. That’s what the authors have tried to model in their own lives. And more importantly, it’s precisely the plan God lays out for us in 2 Corinthians. These expositions, because they track so closely with the text of Scripture, are full of sane, sound, biblical instruction. I commend them highly, both as examples of faithful word ministry and as a necessary reminder that all lasting ministry will prioritize substance over style.
—Kevin DeYoung, Senior Pastor, University Reformed Church. East Lansing, Michigan
Paul’s appeal in 2 Corinthians that believers keep persevering with the ministry of gospel proclamation, even though it is dismissed as weak, is hugely relevant today. In an age in which substance oft en gives way to style, we urgently need teaching like this, which builds convictions about the nature and power of authentic gospel ministry and spurs us to stick with it.
—Vaughan Roberts, Rector of St Ebbe’s, Oxford and Director of The Proclamation Trust
This is a breath of fresh air. Most of my stress in ministry is because I have begun to imagine that it depends on my performance. This book has driven me back to the fundamentals and reminded me where the true power lies. It is easy to read, clear and desperately relevant in our culture.
—Jonty Allcock, Lead Pastor, The Globe Church, London
Product Details
- Title: Style Or Substance? The Nature of True Christian Ministry
- Authors: William Taylor and David Dargue
- Publisher: Christian Focus
- Publication Date: 2016
- Pages: 144
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Topic: 2 Corinthians
About the Authors
William Taylor is the minister of St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, London. Previously he was an officer in the Royal Green Jackets.
David Dargue started out his training as an accountant, however has been serving Christ Church Newcastle since 2014. He is currently the minister at Christ Church, Gosforth.