Reclaiming the Great Commission: A Practical Model for Transforming Denominations and Congregations (Hardcover)

by Bishop Claude Payne (Author), Hamilton Beazley (Author) "IN THE FINAL, PROSPEROUS YEARS of the twentieth century, no hunger seemed deeper within the American soul than an unsatisfied longing for spirituality..." (more)
Key Phrases: diocesan vision, clergy apostolate, new apostolic age, Diocese of Texas, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Payne has become known as an expert in church missions and growth with the publication of his book "Reclaiming the Great Commission." (Houston, TX Chronicle, 2/2/02)

"Readers looking for a how-to guide will not be disappointed." (Anglican Theological Review, 3/02)

Review
"A model for all Christian churches . . . an uncomplicated and doable plan of evangelization that can revitalize listless and moribund congregations." (The Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza, Bishop of Galveston-Houston, president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops)

"Reclaiming the Great Commission offers a message of hope and a plan of action for those who are concerned about the future of the Church. It chronicles the success of a biblically based vision of mission and community that has the potential to bring about the much-needed transformation of all churches at all levels. An inspiring and important read for clergy and laity alike." (The Most Reverend and Right Honorable George L. Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury)

"This is a truly important book. Those who want to transform their mainline congregations and denominations from maintenance to mission will find a game plan concrete enough to implement. Passionately argued, solidly grounded, battle-tested in real life-here's real cause for hope!" (Bob Buford, founding chairman, Leadership Network)

"Comprehensive and compelling. . . . I highly recommAnd this as a resource for those striving to build up the Body of Christ." (Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church)

"Which is the higher priority-taking care of today's members or reaching the unchurched? If you choose the second, this book explains how your denominational regional judicatory can be transformed to make that happen." (Lyle E. Schaller, parish consultant)

"The Episcopal Diocese of Texas has done a 180! AttAndance, membership, giving, and mission are all on the upswing. What is proposed in this book is not a new paint job but a major renovation that is remarkably aligned with the first-century church. (The Rev. Dr. David G. McKechnie, Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston)

"An inspiring gift . . . The exciting expectations described in this book have given me a new sense of hope." (Bishop John Wesley Hardt, Bishop-in-Residence, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University)

"A valuable contribution to fellowships of believers everywhere . . . the model should work for congregations in any denomination or independent situation." (Jess C. Fletcher, chancellor, Hardin-Simmons University)

"A fascinating, thoughtful, and much-needed how-to book on the revitalization of the Episcopal Church-in fact, it's about all Christian churches. George and I highly recommAnd this book." (Barbara Bush)

"This book provides a faithful, gospel-centered, visionary, and practical direction showing how the Church of Jesus Christ can move from maintenance to mission and embrace the new century with apostolic commitment and joyful expectation." (The Right Reverend Herbert Thompson, Jr., Episcopal Bishop of Southern Ohio)

"A church with bishops or a congregational polity can learn valuable insights for enabling the church to become an alive mission movement in a dynamic change from a maintenance mode using the experiences described in this book." (J. Woodrod Hearn, Bishop The United Methodist Church)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787952680
• ISBN-13: 978-0787952686
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #392,306 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Are Either A Missionary Or You Need One!, June 26, 2000

By	Charles D. Smith (Texarkana, Texas) - See all my reviews

This is a no-nonsense book about serving Christ through serving other people. Episcopal Bishop Claude E. Payne explains the REAL Gospel message of Jesus Christ in plain, "unchurchy" language. The book has the prescription needed to heal the mainline Church that has been in ill health since the 1950's and continues to decline. Mutual, shared, total ministry between the laity and the clergy is explained and promoted. The theme of the book can be summed up with one sentence, "Shepherds do not make new sheep; sheep make new sheep". If one is interested in real Christian evangelism the miracle of the transformation of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas from "Father knows best" to the "Priesthood of all belivers is a "must read" irrespective of one's denominational preference!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read, June 2, 2003

By	PTD "Okie Pastor" (Yukon, OK United States) - See all my reviews

In a time of "Church Growth" gurus, books, and workshops - it is very refreshing to have a book that doesn't focus on bells and whistles and technological ways to manipulate, but calls the church back to the mission given by Christ - to go into the world with the transformative Christian faith. If only those of us in mainline denominations would be willing to lift our eyes off of agendas, useless meetings and other distactions and consider "Reclaiming the Great Commission." Mission, not maintenance, is the call of this book, bringing the focus of the church on God, people, and relationships. Shared vision founded in Biblical faith is the key for the local congregation and the larger church. I recommend this to pastors, priests, lay leaders, bishops, and all who are interested in sharing the Gospel.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A BOOK TO READ, April 28, 2001

By	David W. Schmidt (Pierre, South Dakota United States) - See all my reviews

This is a book that should be read by lay persons, clergy and judicatory executives. It is directed at mainline churches that have been in decline for fifty years, and it gives some valuable directions for reversing that decline. While it is not a program that can be slavishly followed in a diocese or congregation, it provides some very helpful directions. I have been aware of most of the material he cites for a number of years, but the authors have put the material together in a most helpful way.