The Disciple-Making Pastor.

Book Review.

Hull, Bill. The Disciple-Making Pastor. Leading others on the journey of faith. Baker Books. 1988.
B.H.-writer and discipleship evangelist. Founder of T-Net International.

Comment. Henry.
Bill bases his evaluation of disciple-making on the priority that is placed on making disciples in the Great Commission. It needs to be the central focus of all pastors and/or church leaders. This book is Bill’s “blueprint” for identifying and developing disciple-making pastors.

The major shortcoming of the church is its failure to make disciples. “The crisis at the heart of the church is a crisis of product”, (21) i.e.discipleship. The dangers of the liberal church are exposed. Lay leaders in a church must be first and foremost disciple-makers who reproduce themselves through winning the lost. They must take the Great Commission seriously.

The model of a disciple-making pastor is taken from John 15:7-17. “Culture militates against disciple-making.” (50) The qualifications for becoming a disciple-maker are very high. “Disciples are born to be made.” (92) A disciple-making pastor needs to understand the model, means, method and motive of making Christ known. With understanding and knowing must come a strong sense of commitment to disciple-making.

There are four practices that characterize a disciple-making pastor. “The principle of selectivity, teaching and practicing philosophical purity, accountability, using small groups for disciple-making, and the decentralization of pastoral care.” (185) Disciple-making pastors use the technique of coaching. Specific suggestions are made regarding implementing the principles of disciple-making. These include a “church-centred disciple-making structure chart”. (273)