Mar 19, 2019 3 min read Book Reviews

The Gospel-Driven Church

A lot of young people in a big hall listening to a speaker

When I say I like Jared Wilson’s new book The Gospel-Driven Church, I mean it. It’s a book written for the kind of pastor I used to be.

Some ten years ago I knew, believed, and preached the facts of the gospel. Through reading Jack Miller, though, something changed within me. The gospel ceased to be something I just believed. It’s hard to describe exactly what happened. Something shifted within me. I felt a new sense of freedom, motivation, and joy. I’d stumbled across the reality of what Tim Keller teaches: that the gospel isn’t the ABCs of the Christian life, but the A-Z. It changed everything.

My problem: I was a pragmatic pastor. How would this rediscovery of the gospel change the way that I pastored my church? I wish Jared’s book had been written back then to help me.

A Fable and Manual

The Gospel-Driven Church serves two roles. First, it’s a fable similar to something Patrick Lencioni would write. It follows the story of Josh Cunningham, pastor of LifePoint Church, who begins to question the way that he’s led his church. “It’s very possible that I don’t know what I’m doing,” he says. The church he’d planted had grown. He’d attended conferences, read leadership books, listened to “best practices” podcasts, and followed practical ministry blogs. He’d hit his targets and had proven himself as a leader. Still, he felt uneasy. “In the twenty-two years since we planted LifePoint, I’m not sure we’ve ever had our eyes on the right prize.”

This book also serves as a manual. Jared has previously written The Prodigal Church, a critique of the attractional paradigm. “Since then I have heard from so many leaders who desired a follow-up, something prescriptive and practical,” he writes. The Gospel-Driven Church provides that practical guidance. It describes how gospel centrality affects preaching, small groups, worship services, membership, discipleship, and more. It even includes a summary of principles at the end of the book, and a trouble-shooting guide and advice on leading change in a gracious way.

It’s theologically rich and practical. If you are a pastor or church leader questioning consumeristic and pragmatic approaches to ministry, and wondering if there’s a better way, this book will both unsettle and encourage you. It’s a field manual for gospel-centered change in a church.

Why I Like This Book

Here’s why I like this book so much.

First, it’s written by someone with experience. As Jared writes, it’s “the culmination of almost 20 years of preaching, writing, and consulting in and with church churches on the subject of gospel-centrality and its effect on evangelicalism.” Jared is the person to write this book. I’d long admired his wisdom, and you will too.

Second, it’s practical. It’s not just a critique; it’s the way forward. It’s far easier to critique than to lovingly provide practical guidance. Jared does the latter. He doesn’t attack. He points the way and provides wisdom and encouragement on how to get there.

Finally, it’s a great reminder of truths that make one’s heart sing. I’m no longer the pragmatic pastor. Still, I’m in continual need of being awakened to the truths of the gospel and allowing those truths to shape my heart and ministry. The Gospel-Driven Church warmed my heart and encouraged me to allow the gospel to shape every part of ministry.

I can’t think of a pastor who wouldn’t benefit from this book, and I’m grateful Jared wrote it. Read it, share it, and pursue the kind of ministry Jared describes in this book.

Darryl Dash

I'm a grateful husband, father, oupa, and pastor of Grace Fellowship Church East Toronto. I love learning, writing, and encouraging. I'm on a lifelong quest to become a humble, gracious old man.

Toronto, Canada

A Fable and Manual

Why I Like This Book

Darryl Dash

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