Seven Practices of Effective Ministry [Hardcover]

Andy Stanley (Author), Lane Jones (Author), Reggie Joiner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 18, 2004

There’s no scoreboard in the sanctuary, and the only plate is probably for the offering. But every church leader needs to know how to win, and every congregation needs to know when to cheer. This insightful book speaks to every church leader who yearns for a simpler, more effective approach to ministry. An engaging parable about one overwhelmed pastor is followed by an overview of seven successful team practices, each one developed and applied in a ministry setting. Reinforced by relevant discussion questions, these clear, easy, and strategic practices can turn any ministry into a winning team.

Your ministry is perfectly designed to produce the results you are currently experiencing. If you are satisfied with those results, you don’t need this book. If not, it’s time for a change.

Like your own personal trainer, 7 Practices of Effective Ministry is an insightful guide for any leader who yearns for a simpler, more effective approach to ministry. Here are seven strategic principles that when put into play will bring focus and clarity to everything you do and turn your ministry into a winning team.

“For many years, I practiced and taught church growth. What I have witnessed as a member at North Point takes church growth to a whole new level. Andy and his team communicate principles that will add value to you and the church you love.”
-John C. Maxwell, founder, The INJOY Group

“Every professional athlete recognizes the value of solid coaching. The best are always working to get better. From what I’ve seen at North Point, these seven practices can improve the game of any church in America.”
-John Smoltz, Cy Young Award-winning pitcher

“The practices covered in this book are down-to-earth, practical, and come from real difference-makers who know what church leadership is all about. Andy, Reggie, and Lane have definitely hit the ball out of the park with the 7 Practices of Effective Ministry.”
-Ed Young, Jr., senior pastor, Fellowship Church

Story Behind the Book

Looking for ways to help pastors faced with hectic lives and depleted resources, Andy Stanley, Reggie Joiner, and Lane Jones decided to write a parable about the complicated life of a local pastor. Rather than come straight at those in ministry with formulas and lists, they engage readers in an effort to have them identify with the character.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Andy Stanley

Andy Stanley is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and the founding pastor of North Point Community Church in Atlanta , Georgia , with a youthful congregation of more than 12,000. Andy is the author of the 1998 Foreword Book of the Year finalist Visioneering, the bestsellers Like a Rock and The Next Generation Leader, and the recent How Good Is Good Enough. Andy and his wife, Sandra, have two sons and a daughter.

Lane Jones

Lane Jones is a native of Atlanta , Georgia , where he lives with his wife, Traci, and their three children, Jared, Caitlin, and Madison. He is on staff at North Point Community Church , where he loves to write and participate in the creative process. Lane holds degrees from Georgia State University and Dallas Theological Seminary.

Reggie Joiner

Reggie Joiner is the executive director of Family Ministries at North Point Community Church . He leads the staff responsible for children, student, and married adult ministries. He is also creator of FamilyWise, a nonprofit ministry aimed at helping churches and families teach kids character and faith. Reggie lives with his wife, Debbie, and his four teenagers—Reggie Paul, Hannah, Sarah, and Rebekah—in Cumming , Georgia .

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (August 18, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590523733
• ISBN-13: 978-1590523735
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 0.7 x 8.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Ministry & Church Leadership > Ministry

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Every Leader!, March 13, 2005

By 

Gerald Khoo (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seven Practices of Effective Ministry (Hardcover)

This book has been a highlight in my reading this year! It has challenged me to look deeper into what needs to be done in ministry. The 7 Practices are (1) Clarify the Win, (2) Think Steps, Not Programs, (3) Narrow the Focus, (4) Teach Less for More, (5) Listen to Outsiders, (6) Replace Yourself, and (7) Work On It.

The book begins with a parable, much like that from authors Spencer Johnson or Ken Blanchard, where the 7 practices are being explained in a story about a pastor with a situation in church where he needs help in. The story begins with the pastor thinking whether he should go for a board meeting (which he was dreading to go), or to go for possibly the most important baseball game that season. In order not for me to spoil your reading, I would not go further but to say that the story will wet your appetite for more.

The book continues to explain each practice not only with clarity, but ending each chapter with a list of questions. It is often that we jump from problem to answers not realizing our answer to the problem may not really be moving us forward. Hence, to have the right answers, we need to first ask the right questions, and this book provides hard questions for us to evaluate where we are. The book can be assumed as a coach for any person in ministry, asking the right and tough questions, and the answers that you come up for those questions would be the process to go toward. This is because every ministry is different, but the questions the same, and your own answers to the questions would suit that context of ministry you are in.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brief Disclaimer, June 7, 2006

By 

R. Kirkham "jrkirkham" (Rushville, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Seven Practices of Effective Ministry (Hardcover)

Page 67 has contains a brief disclaimer that begins with the following sentence: "The principles and practices described in this book are not and cannot be a substitute for God's blessing or power." I love that disclaimer.

Church growth architects tend to love books like this. Theologians and contemplatives hate them. Don't allow yourself to be sucked in by either side. Quality pastoral ministry has at least four dimensions: pragmatic, Spirit empowered, personal, and public. This book focuses on the pragmatic. In doing so it found its nitch.

Written in story style, which is designed to appeal to post moderns, this book offers 7 principles, which if followed, will most likely enhance any pastor's ministry potential. Pastors, you owe it to yourselves and your congregations to keep as up to date as possible on all facets of ministry. Get this book. It is worth its price.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical and Easy to Read, February 2, 2007

By 

Matthew Gunia (Justice, Illinois) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Seven Practices of Effective Ministry (Hardcover)

Andy Stanley is senior pastor at the multi-campus North Point Community Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Reggie Joiner and Lane Jones also serve at North Point, leading its Family Ministry and Member Development programs respectively. "7 Practices of Effective Ministry" describes the leadership philosophy and practice at North Point with the idea that the reader (presumably a church leader) will be able to implement North Point's strategy or at least glean helpful information to make their church more successful.

"7 Practices of Effective Ministry" is divided into two parts and each is designed to convey North Point's 7 Practices in a unique way. The first part of the book is the fictional story of Pastor Ray who skips a church council meeting to attend big league baseball game. He ends up sitting next to the wealthy, successful owner of the team who spends the game explaining the 7 Practices. The fictional story (which was well-written and enjoyable "light" read) applies each of the 7 Practices to both a winning baseball team and to church leadership. The second part of the book is a fleshed out presentation of the 7 Practices that fits the typical Leadership Book genre. The Practice is presented as well as the rationale, potential pitfalls, and anecdotes from North Point. Each chapter ends with discussion questions to make the practice more applicable to the reader's particular ministry situation.

The 7 Practices (in my own words) are:
1) Clearly define what constitutes a "win" or "victory" in your ministry
2) Recognize that programs are not ends in and of themselves, but only steps that may help you gain a "win."
3) Cut out the pretty important stuff so that the really, really important stuff is both excellent and at the forefront
4) In teaching, preaching, and communicating, talk about the really, really important things and don't cloud people's minds with less important facts
5) Make sure you're continually listening to people outside your ministry and taking their thoughts seriously
6) Make sure you're always training somebody else to do your job
7) Carve out time to step back and re-evaluate. This allows you to work on your weaknesses and celebrate your "wins."

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. During the fictional story, I found myself wanting a more formal presentation of the Practice; yet during the second part, I found myself wanting an anecdotal application of it. Because the two sections compliment one another so well, I found the book's layout a definite strength. The Practices themselves are also thought-provoking and helpful. Most helpful are their insights that "less is more" in ministry so a wise pastor will look to make cuts for a leaner, meaner church, and that one should continually be training their potential replacement because it will help the mentor analyze his own work and also free himself up for different (more important?) areas of service.

One aspect of this book I didn't find as helpful was the use of anecdotes in the second part of the book. Many of them didn't seem especially applicable to smaller relationship-based congregations. For example, if I (as a pastor) were to try to trim programs at my church, or stamp out non-essential grassroots movements, I would end up hurting many members and my own effectiveness. The authors would have been more effective if they had used some examples that are applicable to churches that have only(!) a few hundred members.

Overall, this book is recommended. The 7 Practices are practical, focused, and thought provoking. Even if a church does not adopt them, reading this book will help its leaders critically evaluate their ministry.