Customer Reviews

Seven Practices of Effective Ministry

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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.

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.

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.

I have been a pastor for the last seven months at the time of writing this review. I found it to be extremely helpful for me. This is the kind of book that will influence how you see and do things for the rest of your leadership life. The book uses baseball to illustrate ministry and the writers make it interesting. The very first point is "clarify the win." This point is often missed by churches. I often hear "we need revival" and then I have wondered, "what would revival actually look like and how would we know we were in it if it was going on?" If you do not know what it means to win then you will not know what or when you need to be celebrating. All seven points are rich and important. I recommend this book to pastors and leaders that may be at the point of frustration and need something to jumpstart their ministry again.

I have been amiss in not writing a review of this book. It is a great little book on effective ministry. His ideas of seeking the win are great. Everyone wants to be on the winning team, and churches need to define what a win is. Also, his stuff on reviewing ministry is important. So many congregations do the work every year, but some of the programs are dead, but no one will stop them. His thoughts on narrowing the focus are wonderful. Many churches have followed the mega church model of program after program, that even Bill Hybels admits is not effective in transformation. Then finally his thoughts on listening to outsiders is needed. Most times we ask members how to grow, but really most members do not have a clue. We need to ask those who are not coming, they know why they are not there. This is a great book.

I liked this book. I read it within a few days. It is a really quick read. It has some great points. However, what it lacks is sricptural reference. This book describes 7 habits for an effective 501(c)3 organization. It parralels itself with "ministry".

I think this book can be very helpful to today's church leaders. However, as with much of today's "church" literature, I suggest that you read it side my side with your Bible. Make sure that you are not compromising the Word or God's divine assignment for your ministry in order to line up with the practices and examples in this book.

Overall, I think that a "mature" leader will be able to pull some ideas from this book that will definately help their ministry.

Great book where Andy Stanley and his staff give solid advice and life experience that will definitely encourage and strengthen anyone in ministry!

Andy Stanley is one of the best communicators I've heard. He is also very clever when thinking about the church and its ministries. This book has inspired me to serve with more wisdom and purpose. I read it after reading the other book related to preaching (which was written after this one). I wish I could have the chance to know theses principles when I started my ministry.

Great Book! I have already recommended it to all of the friends I have in ministry. If you are a church leader please read this book.

"Written by the Northpoint Church (Andy Stanley) Ministry Team, this book provides concise examples for any organization, not just churches, on how to create more focus and impact of your organization by actually trying to do less...We all get caught trying to be all things to all people, but only until we focus on strengths and the needs of our target "client" do we really achieve desired results...Plenty of "case studies" examples."