Customer Reviews

Church Is a Team Sport: A Championship Strategy for Doing Ministry Together

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I am a member of Real Life Ministries (RLM) and get to see Pastor Jim preach every week. Part of what drew me to the church was its leadership's willingness to be humble and honest about their lives--after all, the church's motto is "where Jesus and real life meet." I was very excited to read this book and see if the message I hear in church is the same message I would find in its pages. 100%--it was. RLM has made an incredible difference in the life of my family and in this community in which I have lived most of my life. This book is the story of an inspiring church that God is truly using to reach the world one person at a time, so that not a single soul should be lost. It is the kind of place where you find yourself asking, what can I do to help? Where all of us, without feeling how big of a group we are, have learned that "Church Is A Team Sport!--" And we would not have it any other way!

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Far too many churches are led by a charasmatic and energetic pastor who becomes over time the "heart" of the church. While such churches often have the allure of success about them, far too often there is unhealth behind the scenes.

God never intended the pastor (or the pastor's staff) to do all the work of the ministry. God intended for the laity to use their spiritual gifts to make a difference in the world.

This book teaches pastors how to let go of control and empower the laity. Putman understands the allure of being the church "hero" and also understands the real life challenges of giving up one's "hero" status to become part of the a team that is working together.

This is a good book for all leaders of a church to read, not just pastors. Deacons, Sunday School teachers, board members, any one in leadership, needs to read this book.

Dr. Terry W. Dorsett, author
Developing Leadership Teams in the Bivocational Church

Jim Putman gives a testimony of his life and zeal for wrestling and his move away from God and return. His return took him to ministry. The congregation he helped to start grew tremendously. Particularly, chapter 10 on gives more details of how, attitudes they shared, and the methods used to to reach people for Christ and to grow them to be disciple makers. This book seemed to have more practical application than others I've read on this subject. I enjoyed reading the book and recommended it others.

Simply put, this is one of the most effective books for ministry I've ever read. It comes from an author who has actually done what he is writing about, and offers several excellent strategies for shifting a church to a "team" mentality. His writing it to the point, but is still an excellent read.

Where Putman's book shines, however, is simply immersing the reader in the team mentality. Pastor as coach, congregation as team. Unlike many ministry leadership books, Putman does not suggest that the pastor ignore his extensive training. Instead he uses it to disciple those around him into leaders.

My one great critique is that not enough time is spent on transitioning a rooted congregation to this mindset. Real Life Ministries (Putman's church) was a plant which instilled this early. Short of giving up and starting over, how do we make this happen?

This book offers an entire philosophy change. If you're a layperson, read it and ask your pastor how you can be a part of his team. If you are a pastor, read it and then give it to your elders. You may not see this title in the ivory towers of academia anytime soon, but you'd better see it on your pastor's bookshelf.

This book simply and excellently explains the role leaders within a Christian church should take; coach not star. Jim Putman does not offer a "new" church growth method. Using the analogy of sports, he offers what has been available for 2,000 years; the model of leadership exemplified by Jesus.

The message is simple, every Christian is to be used and involved in Christian ministry. The pastor or paid staff are not the only players of the game. Everyone is to be a player operating in the areas of their giftedness. The pastor and leaders lead the Church and do not do everything for the Church. Jim Putman makes a clear call to Biblical discipleship and illustrates how this vital model has been overlooked and/or ignored by the majority of the Christian Church.

If you want to learn how to organize and motivate your congregation to live like Jesus lived, read this book.

great book! Got it for my husband who is preaching a sermon series in our church with it now!

This book is the inspiring story of a church that God is using to reach the world one person at a time. Author Jim Putman, pastor of Real Life Ministries, uses his knowledge as a former wrestling coach to demonstrate strategies that work in revitalizing a church. The fact that they work is evident in the growth of his own church.

Pastor Jim takes the responsibility for the nurturing of the church off the staff and lays it at the feet of the congregation. Whether you are a church leader or new to the faith, after reading this book, I guarantee you won't want to sit on the sidelines anymore!

I recommend that you not only read this book, but get it into the hands of your own pastor or church staff.

Great read. Well written, straight forward, insightful, practical... What else can I say - if you're a pastor, elder, deacon or in any leadership role in a church you should definitely read this book.

the order was prompt. The book was in good shape. Thank you for your good service.