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Saturday, February 16, 2019

comparitive book review :: essays research papers

Comparative Book ReviewRediscovering church building building building Lynne and Bill HybelsThis al-Quran was written the founder and senior pastor of Willow Creek friendship Church and his wife. Willow Creek is located in suburban Chicago. It has a weekly attendance approaching 20000. In this book the Hybels share partition of their story in pasturing Willow Creek and a little crisp of their philosophy of ministry.The underlying theology assumed by the author is that the church has the power to change the world. His theology seems to be more church-centric rather thus Christocentric. I would not call Hybels a theologian. He presents very staple fibre evangelical theology. This is in sharp contrast to Guders book, which has very school theologically developed views on the nature of the church.There is no intervention of Gods relationship to his creation or the kingdom. Actually there is very little kingdom talk. The emphasis seems to be that the local church is very impor tant. But there is no connection to the global Catholic (universal) church. This again contrasts Guders global outlook. Guder does not discount the importance of the local church, but wisely sets it within the context of the global communion.The local church is primarily seen as a vehicle of evangelism and fellowship. I was surprised that Hybels says aught about the importance of worship. I have come to the conviction that churches should be primarily worshipping community. All other activities (evangelism, teaching, discipleship, social care etc.) flow from this first calling of worshipping the triune God. But Guder also does not address the income tax return of worship. Rather he is setting out a map for our missional witnesser in the world.The philosophy of ministry is outlined by Hybels most clearly in ten and twelve. In chapter ten he basically presents a subject matter given by Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian at a church leaders conference at Willow Creek. The four key elements of a effectual church are teaching, fellowship, evangelism and helping those in need.Preaching is seen as something that should be done only by those who are gifted, spiritually disciplined and anointed by the Spirit. Hybels fails here to clearly spell out what biblical preaching is. He does not identify exegetical, expositional, narrative or topical as creation the preferred method. Fellowship is seen as the opportunity to share deep needs in the context of small groups. There is nothing really original here. The usual critique of superficiality in churches is given.

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