RESPOND TO - TWO COMPLETED DISCUSSION BOARDS

In the book, Deep and Wide by Andy Stanley, the writer introduces the reader to the book with a catchy topic, "Creating churches unchurched people love to attend." The book's information has its set-up background in the launch of North Point Church that has become the church being referred to as the church that the un-churched love to attend. The sections entail how North Point is formed as a church plan, with sections revealing some of the foundational principles of making disciples. Stanley also gives a deep comprehension of the challenges facing many churches to become deep and wide. The most outstanding aspect in the book is the issue of consumerism. According to Stanley, “In our search for common ground with unchurched people, we’ve discovered that, like us, they are consumers.”[footnoteRef:2] The author narrates how we grade ourselves based on our attractiveness to the target audience we attract. Stanley states we tend to become unapologetically attractional. The author further states that the continued search for common grounds with unchurched people has led to the discovery that we are all alike. He states that we are all consumers. [2: Andy Stanley. Deep & Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016.]

Another aspect of the book is the issue of hypocrisy. The author states that even in churches essentially designed for the saved people, hypocrites are the significant people who tend to be found there. He says that in churches designed for saved people, transparency and honesty are dangerous factors. Stanley believed that the church was a design by God to bring the gospel to the lost. However, the church mission has changed, changing God's plan from the original purpose to bringing loss into the church.

In the book "The Prodigal Church” by Jared C. Wilson, some exciting aspects have attracted my attention. The author narrates that the people who consider themselves mature in faith regularly attending church are largely dissatisfied and stalled in their spiritual growth. He states that the church has become increasingly interested in the numbers of the congregation rather than the original purpose of seeking God. Churches are seeing the believers as the target audience instead of viewing God as the target audience. “But in the attractional model, great care and concern are given to identifying target customers and giving them the experience they want.”[footnoteRef:3] Churches should be at the forefront in offering services that exalt God while fostering a genuine community of believers other than making attempts to attract more people to the church. Jared believes that the church's attractional system is broken, illustrating the better way by faithfully manifesting the gospel. [3: Jared Wilson. The Prodigal Church: A Gentle Manifesto against the Status Quo. Wheaton: Crossway, 2015.]

How are the books similar in their approach? (Address the theological and philosophical approaches, not grammar or writing styles.)

The authors use several similar philosophical approaches to emphasize the theological aspect in their books. Both scenarios and examples from the Bible refer to the Bible while justifying their arguments. The Bible has been used to reflect on how the church has deviated from what the Bible tells us. In Chapter 5 of Deep and Wide, Stanley explains how the Jews and Gentiles were required to learn to flourish in the early church by quoting Acts 15: 19, 28-29 that states we should not make it difficult for Gentiles to turn to God. In his book, Jared uses the Bible to describe that God designed the church's mission to bring the gospel to the lost. These approaches help the authors to emphasize how the church has deviated from the original meaning.

How are the books dissimilar in their approach?

Jared Wilson, in his book, gives ways in which the church should come up with various measures to make the church a better place. He offers solutions to multiple challenges facing the church, giving out ways to overcome these challenges. On the other hand, Stanley criticizes the church for deviating from the intended purpose to bring the gospel to the lost. These differences make the book stand unique in understanding the various challenges facing the church and measures that may be implemented in place to make the church a better place.

Bibliography

Stanley, Andy. Deep & Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016.

Wilson, Jared. The Prodigal Church: A Gentle Manifesto against the Status Quo. Wheaton: Crossway, 2015.