Disciple Making in a Culture of Power, Comfort, and Fear

“Like the best words always are, ‘apprentice’ is rooted in the generations before us, making sense of the way we learn. At its heart it is about binding oneself to someone who knows more. In reading Matthew Dickerson we are drawn into his long apprenticeship to J. R. R. Tolkien, the master story-teller whose moral imagination shapes every soul who enters into his world of hobbits and their ways. But the thread that weaves this tale is about learning to learn to follow Jesus—not the pursuit of the power of a ring—and therefore a pilgrimage in the imitation of Christ, of binding ourselves to the truest truths of the universe.”


—Steven Garber, Professor of Marketplace Theology, Regent College; author of Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good





“Matt Dickerson reminds us that Jesus didn’t tell us just to win souls or get people to accept Jesus into their hearts; Jesus told disciples to make disciples. What is so good about Matt’s book is that he takes that imperative and turns it over and over to unpack the relationality it entails, the necessity of knowing and living the word it requires, and the temptations of a culture that clouds our discernment and threatens to undermine our calling as disciple-makers. The book is an engaging conversation that humbly helps get us back on track to do the most significant thing that Christ called us to do.”


—Dennis Okholm, author of Monk Habits for Everyday People





“In a world of Insta-discipleship and Bible study by 140 characters, Professor Matthew Dickerson calls us to a different way. When it comes to making disciples, one size does not fit all. Disciple Making in a Culture of Power, Comfort, and Fear is a great book which challenged me to love Jesus more and to look at the opportunities around me to point others toward him.”


—Kevin A. Thompson, Pastor, Community Bible Church, Fort Smith, Arkansas





“From Dallas Willard to Eugene Peterson, many fine writers have tackled the subject of Christian discipleship. Few, however, have produced such a fun read. Matt Dickerson combines the practical and the personal in a way that is both remarkably edifying and utterly delightful.”


—Paula Huston, author of A Land Without Sin





“Matt Dickerson’s work brings to the forefront that disciples must be truly formed by Christ to be disciple-makers. Matt’s cultural analysis, precise exegesis, while plumbing the writings of Christian saints, coupled with his own journey, unfolds a depth of timeless orthodoxy. Matt Dickerson leads us from cultural conformity, and the solely cognitive, to the soul forming work of Word, words, and Spirit. From this well, disciples and disciple-makers are born. I cannot help recommend this work to all who desire to reach higher and deeper.”


—Dale Edwards, Regional Executive Minister, American Baptist Churches of Vermont and New Hampshire