This thought-provoking and practical book that challenges the traditional model of church leadership and discipleship is our classic read for 2023.

The brilliance of the book is exposed in its title. To grow a vibrant, flourishing and fruit bearing vine you need both a good trellis and a strong vine. That is, you need good structures so that a strong vine can thrive. Most books forget about one of these aspects, but this book recognises and discusses the importance of both.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part explores the biblical basis for the authors' approach to ministry, emphasizing the importance of making disciples who make disciples. The second part of the book provides practical guidance for implementing this approach to ministry.

The book is also about what the author's term ‘moving people to the right’. This is the concept that people are in a process of growth, and you need to know where they are in spiritual maturity so that you can help them to make appropriate progress. Again, this is seldom considered in other books.

Finally, the book holds the importance of evangelism front and centre. But it considers evangelism not just from a personal perspective, but as a process of growth, something that is the task of the whole church and something that must be nurtured and encouraged in a church setting.

The Trellis and the Vine is a “must have” on the reading list of all involved in Christian ministry.

To coincide with our annual conference, EQUIP Picks are 10 great reads, chosen and reviewed by the EQUIP Women Team for women.

EQUIP22 Picks will be available for a limited time online via our ministry partner, Reformers Bookshop.

A percentage of the sales from books bought via the above link will support our CMS missionary, M.

Meet Ainsley Poulos

Ainsley is married to Archie who is head of the Ministry department at Moore College. They have three adult kids - Georgia , Zoe , and Archie . Ainsley is a speech pathologist, is chair of EQUIP ministry wives, and an executive committee member of EQUIP women. She loves silky chickens, good lattes and having lots of people over for lunch.