This is a book about the essentials of Christian ministry that is both solidly biblical and radically challenging. Its key idea is that the structures that support Christian ministry (the trellis) very easily swamp the real work of Christian ministry (the vine) - which is one person speaking God's word to someone else, in dependence upon the Spirit. Christian ministry consists not only of this prayerful proclamation, but of training more and more Christians in the convictions, character and skills that make it possible.