Me to We: A Pastor's Discovery of the Power of Partnership (Paperback)

~ Alan Nelson (Author)
Key Phrases: ministry connectors, equipping value, equipping director, Matt Robinson Subject, Matt Robinson Sent, Vernon Miller Sent (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A refreshing look at leadership that involves letting go of current models and embracing the ancient model of the early church--releasing laity in leveraged ministry ventures. --Bob Buford, Founding Chairman, Leadership Network, and author of Halftime and Finishing Well

Alan Nelson is a seasoned pastor who gets pastors and is an excellent coach of pastors. I've been learning from him for over a decade. In a creative and refreshing style, this book calls us back to recapture God's dream for team ministry. --Gene Appel, lead pastor of Willow Creek Community Church

One of the most unfortunate realities of ministry is the well-meaning, but drained leader. Too many leaders think their responsibility is to take everything on themselves. But it is a mentality that has devastating effects both on the leader and the led. In his book, Me to We, Alan Nelson takes a unique look at the dual challenge of leading and equipping others to lead. No matter where you are in the ministry, this book will show you that the key to successful ministry is not necessarily carrying everything on your own shoulders; it is learning to equip others to help. --Ed Young, Pastor, Fellowship Church, and author of The Creative Leader

Product Description

There's no denying that healthier, happier churches have nearly everyone involved in some form of ministry. Alan Nelson, executive editor of REV! Magazine, guides your congregation to discover, develop, and deploy their gifts in service--and help your entire church reach its full potential. Explore practical way to move your church from a pastor-centric model to one that maximizes its volunteers, staff, and everyone in your church. Includes a variety of "best practices" from interviews with churches that have released their pastors from "doing it all" -- and successfully turned the way they do ministry upside-down.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Group Publishing, Inc. (September 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764434861
• ISBN-13: 978-0764434860
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #491,412 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Me to We, March 10, 2009

By	Rick Kalal (Knoxville, TN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book Me to We by Alan Nelson has a great title, but little new content. The entire book could fill two or three chapters, max. I will summarize the book's salient points a little later so you will not waste $20 as I did. Actually a better idea is to go to Rev.org and you can find all the stuff there. The book is full of clichés and as one reviewer said "the conversational style of the book comes across as contrived in parts and does get tiresome" is all too true. I became skeptical as I looked up the other reviewers for this book. The first two reviewers who both gave the book 5 stars, I would suspect are plants of Group Publishing. My cynicism evidenced by the fact that most of the reviews that these two gave other books are 4 and 5 stars and all from Group. They must be professional Group reviewers.

One thing I really hate is when I read a book that is one long advertisement for a product or group of products. This book certainly falls into that category. The main character, which is an older sage pastor constantly, told a younger confused pastor how to improve his church by becoming an equipping church. I have no problem with that. It is when he is told to go to web sites or buy other books or go to conferences or referred to speakers who are all in some way associated with Group. That really bugs me.

Now with that off my chest I believe that the idea of creating an equipping church is a fantastic idea and one worthy of serious consideration. There are other very good books out there. Sue Mallory (who now is connected to Group through Church Volunteer Central) wrote an excellent book called The Equipping Church that is very helpful and will give concrete advice and examples. Where as Me to We tells you that you need to build an equipping church without actually telling you how.

As a parting shot I must admit that Group Publishing has some great material. Though the concept behind this book is solid and the church need equip its saints the book itself will not help you accomplish this.

2.0 out of 5 stars A decent read but..., December 17, 2008

By	Thomas Ingram - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this book to be a decent read, but did not glean anything new. Maybe this is due to my MBA background. While I do believe the book gives the view of the direction the Church needs to go, I did not find any concrete steps in it that I could latch on to if I were a Pastor. I would suggest that a Pastor might read The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge if they are looking for some meat and potatoes. But if you are new to thinking outside of the organizational Church box, then this might be a good place for you to start.

4.0 out of 5 stars Extremely helfpul and relevant, March 26, 2008

By	J. Harrison (Fort Worth, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book casts the vision for what an "equipping culutre" looks like in a church and provides practial steps for how to get there. Nelson does a fine job of providing his readers with great ideas and suggestions. This book will answer many of your questions if you are curious about equipping ministry. The conversational style of the book comes across as contrived in parts and does get tiresome, but the content is right on target. Highly recommended to church leaders and volunteers.