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Coming Church Revolution, The: Empowering Leaders for the Future

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Carl George is in the church growth business. His book perhaps could be entitled "Building Bigger Churches." The key to this approach is the Meta-Church, a method of looking at the church as transitioning into relationship of which small inter-personal cell groups are a necessary part. These cell groups are a deliberate abandonment from pastor-driven ministry to smaller lay-led groups that develop their own leaders. It is pointed out that people who can tolerate three years of full-time classroom theological education tend not to be very achievement oriented in terms of developing those who build community (Page 124). Therefore homegrown leadership developed in the context of ministry is to be preferred.

This is a sales manual for the Meta-Church concept. Like any good advertising, the "buyer" is treated to both to all of the reasons why Meta-Church thinking is necessary, but to the testimonials of many satisfied customers in the form of successful churches throughout the world who have utilized this model.

In the first chapter we read that "what counts is where the wind of the Spirit is blowing and whether I catch that in my soul" (Page 15). It seems evident that the wind of the Spirit is indeed blowing in the direction of the Meta-Church. At the same time, it might be argued that these techniques make the Spirit unnecessary. As long as people are cared for in small cell groups, the techniques will work quite adequately apart from the need to determine where the Spirit might be blowing. However this need not be a dissuading factor in utilizing the principles set forth in this book. Merely because Biblical principles are equally effective in the secular world is no reason to reject them.

I was particularly moved by the importance of training leaders and, although I have been doing this for many years, was motivated by this reading to accelerate that practice in my own ministry by deliberately decreasing the amount of congregational teaching that I presently do and allowing those whom I am training to take more leadership in those areas.

If you Pastor a church or serve on a staff in North America don't go to another seminar or buy another audio tape or video or talk to another consultant on church growth until you read this book. I have read dozens of books on the subject of Church growth and small/cell groups and have never found anything better than Carl Georges insight into the "MetaChurch" concept.

Let me be clear that Carl does not give you a 7 step plan to church growth. It is not that easy, we can not treat the bride of Christ that simply. It is difficult and every church is unique and special. Carl lays the foundation for you to think through and seek the Divine Direction that the Father has for your Church.

The Meta concept can get complicated and it will make you rethink how church works. It will lead you to view the church for what it is , a network of loving caring relationships with a vision to change our world for Christ sake. I have read this book several times. So many I have lost count but each time is necessary for me to help my church reach it's potential.

Let me also warn you if you do not handle the subject of small/cell groups correctly it could cost you your job as a minister. So don't read this alone. Read it and share it, share the Vision God has given you. Let Him birth it in the hearts that you lead. This book is a great part of God breathing new life in the established church.

The coming church standards is all about reform. If we don't like reform, then we must be Catholic. Reform is about adapting church, not the Word, to an ever changing society. We're not changing God or His ordinances. But the delivery of His Word and our approach to the world must evolve. What worked for grandma's era will certainly not work today. It's time for the church to admit change is needed.