Simply Strategic Stuff:: Help for Leaders Drowning in the Details of Running a Church [Paperback]

Tim Stevens (Author), Tony Morgan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2003

Here are 99 topics church leaders need to know! Some say it's the little things that matter the most, but the little details are often what pastors dread the most. Easy-to-understand and humorous, Simply Strategic Stuff equips pastors to perform the administrative details of pastoring with ease, and enthusiasm. Pastors are encouraged to consider basic principles that will help them develop systems and structures for releasing growth, enabling churches to reach their communities and the world for Jesus Christ!

Editorial Reviews

Review

A must-read for senior pastors desiring to understand the 'business' and 'administrative' sides of doing church. -- Doug Slaybaugh, Executive Director, Purpose Drive, 12/04

AT LAST! Someone has written THE book on church management! Clear, accessible, well-indexed, wise, warm, and fun. -- Brian McLaren, Pastor/Author, Fellow in Emergent, 12/04

Every church leader needs the 'stuff' Tim and Tony have packed into this book. These concepts work! -- Kirbyjon Caldwell, Senior Pastor, Windsor Village UMC, 12/04

From the Back Cover

"Whether you are working on Wall Street or leading a church, success requires strategic thinking and solid plans. Every church leader needs the 'stuff' Tim and Tony have packed into this book. These concepts work. I believe Simply Strategic Stuff will help you move from where you are to where you want to be!" -Kirbyjon Caldwell, Senior Pastor, Windsor Village United Methodist Church www.kingdombuilders.com

"AT LAST!" Someone has written THE book on church management! Clear, accessible, well-indexed, wise, warm, and fun (yes, fun), this is the book I wish I had read twenty years ago. I would have avoided lots of mistakes, and enjoyed the journey more too." -Brian McLaren, Pastor, Author, Fellow in Emergent www.emergentvillage.com

"At last! A crowd-favorite workshop at Purpose Driven conferences has now been put into a book for everyone to read. As important as seminary is for ministry, Simply Strategic Stuff delivers an essential component for building a Purpose Driven church. A must-read for senior pastors desiring to understand the 'business' and 'administrative' sides of doing church. This book is LOADED with ideas and principles for developing systems and structures that support a growing church, committed to fulfilling God's purposes. Tim and Tony are two of the best!" -Doug Slaybaugh, Executive Director, Purpose Driven

"A map of the emerging church that does not include this book is not worth a glance. You may not agree with all 99 strategies-I didn't-but 98 out of 99 ain't bad." -Leonard Sweet, Drew Theological School www.preachingplus.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Group Publishing (CO) (December 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764426257
• ISBN-13: 978-0764426254
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #76 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Ministry & Church Leadership > Church Administration

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 99 Proven Church Administrative Tips, May 6, 2005

By 

Todd Hudnall (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Simply Strategic Stuff:: Help for Leaders Drowning in the Details of Running a Church (Paperback)

Granger Community Church has become a model of health, growth, and innovation. In Simply Strategic Stuff you'll find 99 proven church administration principles, strategies, and ideas. The value of each chapter varies but I'm confident any pastor could find something that would be helpful. A sampling of some of the chapters include:

* Count the cost before hiring a family member
* Visit other churches and steal their stuff
* Never launch a ministry without a leader
* It's easier to hire than to fire
* You can't overcommunicate the vision

Obviously many of these ideas are conventional wisdom or self-evident but even though most are not novel they are good reminders. If your reading time is limited, you can still find time to read a chapter or two every day to help you stay administratively sharp.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Practical Look at Church Management, June 17, 2004

By 

WPBDoc "WPBDoc" (Pembroke Pines, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simply Strategic Stuff:: Help for Leaders Drowning in the Details of Running a Church (Paperback)

Senior Pastors, Executive Pastors and others in Church Leadership will benefit from this practical, friendly guide to better church management and leadership. This isn't heavy reading and there is a certain "duh" factor in a lot of the advice, but it both challenges and affirms the reader. This is particularly a good book for a church that may be experiencing the "pains" of rapid growth, transition or renewed focus. It is really quite simple reading and not every chapter is for every person or every church situation. All in all, you'll find it well worth the price of the book if you take away only one idea (but you're sure to get more than one). Watch for some "pragmatism" in a few of the chapters...remember, the ends don't always justify the means.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Admistrative than Strategic, but Still Very Good, July 22, 2005

By 

David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Simply Strategic Stuff:: Help for Leaders Drowning in the Details of Running a Church (Paperback)

When I hear the word "strategic" I think more of planning for future ministry. This book focuses on the administration of present ministry. The title issue aside, the content of this book is extremely helpful and practical for both lay and clergy leaders in the church. It can be read through from cover to cover, but its best use would be as a reference to consult in specific situations. The theology here is conservative, while the methodology is very progressive. I'm pleasantly surprised with this little volume!