When we think of the ministry of discipleship (or what I call ""disciple investing""), we often conclude that the focus of discipleship involves one individual intentionally helping only one other individual (often called ""one-to-one"" ministry). We think we have to choose one person to whom we must give our attention. However, as we observe the Apostle Paul's ministry, the reality is that he devotes time and effort with all sorts of people, both individuals and groups, people whom he meets in various contexts. The Apostle Paul willingly and actively invests in multiple relationships, as seemingly he is open to most anyone the Lord sends his way. And Paul goes out of his way both to lead others to Christ, as well as to deepen believers in their walks with Christ. The Disciple Investing Apostle: Paul's Ministry of Relationships provides an overview of the many and varied relationships that the Apostle Paul develops as he helps others grow in Christ. In the book, you will meet the people Paul meets and you also will watch him build meaningful disciple investing relationships with these friends. And in doing so, you may learn some lessons for your personal ministry with others as well. ""The Disciple Investing Apostle provides fresh analysis of the ministerial life of the Apostle Paul. It will challenge and equip you to make the highest yielding investment you can make: investing in the lives of others with the truth that is in Jesus."" --Mantle Nance, Senior Pastor, Ballantyne Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, North Carolina ""Emerging from the avalanche of research on Paul is the sense that he was a lone ranger, a feisty and imposing intellect who stood out as a titan among mere mortals. Rod Culbertson deftly and pastorally reminds us that this perception of Paul as an isolated, one-off, independent theologian, obscures what is right in front of us in his letters and the book of Acts: he was deeply relational. . . . He was no lone ranger, but a man influenced by and influencing dozens of others. Culbertson has done the church a great service by revealing how we can think afresh about the life and theology of Paul and all his friends "" --Gregory R. Lanier, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary/Orlando Rod Culbertson is the Associate Professor of Practical Theology and the Dean of Student Development at Reformed Theological Seminary/Charlotte. He is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America. Rod started Reformed University Fellowship in the state of Florida, working at the University of Florida, and in addition to campus ministry experience, he has also been involved in church planting.
