Tidball's Category of Churches (Discussion) - Assignment Example

Tidball’s Category of Churches Tidball’s Category of Churches In his book d Ministry by the Book, Derek Tidball has described the various models of church ministries as they are present in the gospels. Tidball has derived greatly from the New Testament articulating the various models of ministry work. Tidball has reconciled the various concepts surrounding church ministries including pastoral care and leadership. He has referred to the various parts in the Net Testament explaining each notion of ministry thereby laying a model.

He has also explained the functioning of ministries through time including how ministries were operated during the times of despised churches, compromised churches, and endangered churches (Tidball, 2008). Indeed these classifications of church made by Tidball (2008) bears some substance because their existence has confirmed their legitimacy. The main theme of his book is to lay emphasis on the importance of church in mission today as well as ministry today. In the present times, various churches have become endangered due to their dispersed geographical location around the world.

Not all cultures are welcoming and may show hostility towards church expansion or ministry work. In any case, the functioning of a ministry is greatly impacted by the culture in which it operates. Culture is an important factor when considering how a ministry operates in a particular environment. The cultural context plays a dominant role because churches operating in different circumstances and settings are characterized by a specific pattern of functionality. This pattern of operation may be distinct in many cases and thus, culturally driven churches are likely to have a different model of working.

What Tidball (2008) has tried to communicate is that the cultural context is significant in determining the specific model being followed in a particular church. The endangered church is widely reflected in the Epistle of Jude and 2 Peter. Similarly, references of a despised church and compromised church are present in 1 Peter and John’s letters respectively. Tidball (2008) has explored ministry quite extensively as they are referenced in the New Testament. Tidball (2008) has laos considered the cultural and environmental context in which they operated where they sometimes involved an unwelcoming atmosphere.

The main point which Tidball (2008) has tried to explain is that ministry work should be guided by the gospels and the New Testament. The New testament contains a wide range of cultural environments where churches operated during a particular period of time. Hence, the New Testament is a source of guidance that should set the direction of ministry, pastoral care, and leadership. Therefore, Tidball (2008) has put the New Testament at the center of ministry work whereby all church should refer to the gospels for guidance.

The New Testament contains various models of church ministry that can help the present churches to operate successfully in diverse set of environments - whether hostile or welcoming - as well as under different settings where churches are despised, compromised or endangered. In conclusion, Tidball (2008) stresses on the need for churches to accept the New Testament as the primary model for successful ministry working. ReferencesTidball, D. (2008). Ministry by the book (1st ed.). Downers Grove, Ill.

: IVP Academic.