Strategically Small Church, The: Intimate, Nimble, Authentic, and Effective [Paperback]

Brandon J. O'Brien (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2010

Brandon O'Brien helps pastors and church leaders understand that a smaller church is sometimes better than a big one. He demonstrates the strengths of small congregations, including that today's church "shoppers" want services that are local, personal, and intimate. Also, small churches provide space to nurture close relationships across age and lifestyle barriers, and they facilitate a higher level of commitment from laypeople. And small church budgets are often more effective because of greater efficiency. The Strategically Small Church will encourage small-church pastors in their ministries and challenge them to play to their strengths.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Blessed Are the Small

Our culture's infatuation with bigness--bigger cars, bigger houses, bigger businesses--has infiltrated the church. But smaller doesn't equal second-rate. Leadership Journal editor and former pastor Brandon O'Brien shows how small churches are uniquely equipped for success in today's culture.

O'Brien celebrates churches that are taking full advantage of their small size and analyzes how other churches can learn from their strategies. For example, strategically small churches:
facilitate a higher level of commitment from laypeople
focus attention on fewer programs, increasing effectiveness
nurture close relationships across age and life-experience barriers

But perhaps most important, O'Brien asks churches to rethink what it means to be successful. Sometimes small is just right.

"Kudos to Brandon O'Brien for reshaping the small-church brand. Using real-life examples of 'small' as an intentional ministry strategy, O'Brien gives hope to small churches everywhere. A must-read for church leaders!"

Chuck Warnock, Author of Confessions of a Small-Church Pastor

"Every page paints a picture of the strategic potential for kingdom ministry that flows from smaller churches."

Kara E. Powell, PhD, Executive Director, Fuller Youth Institute
Fuller Theological Seminary

About the Author

Brandon J. O'Brien is editor-at-large for Leadership Journal and their popular blog, Out of Ur. He holds an MA in church history from Wheaton College and served as pastor of two small congregations. Brandon lives with his wife in the western suburbs of Chicago, where he is a doctoral student in church history at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Product Details

• Paperback: 171 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Reprinted edition (August 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764207830
• ISBN-13: 978-0764207839
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #266,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well said, August 19, 2010

By 

revn8 - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Strategically Small Church, The: Intimate, Nimble, Authentic, and Effective (Paperback)

This book is written for the "rest of us" who don't attend or lead a Mega-Church-which seem to be the only ones that get press now a days. OBrien does a fantastic job of describing how the central aspects to small churches can be assets as long as they are intentionally integrated into all areas of the mission and being of a small(er)church. I serve a church of almost 300 members-which by the way is NOT small by most standards-but found the book to be exactly what I needed to read! I read some highlights to my Session last night and highly recommend it to others out there who want their church to become more confident without buying into all the bells and whistles of every latest fad and marketing program that comes through the mail or email. I just hope he writes another book about how to manage spiritual development over the life-span of a smaller church.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative and enjoyable read, November 19, 2010

By 

E. Mathew - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Strategically Small Church, The: Intimate, Nimble, Authentic, and Effective (Paperback)

Perhaps it's because I grew up in a small church, but this book was extremely relevant and helpful to me. It is well written and only took me a couple days to actually read through it.
The author covers the positives and negatives of being a small church, and encourages more focus on God's leading rather than "current trends" in the congregation.
The author also includes notes and interviews with church leaders across America who have small churches and what they have been doing. He challenges us to re-think a "successful" church, that it's not about Numbers but about Spritiual Growth.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone in small churches especially, as it encouraged me from my dissapointments and negativity, to remember that God is working everywhere in a way we don't always have to understand.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, someone gets it!, October 29, 2010

By 

Dr. Terry W. Dorsett "Author of Developing Le... (Barre, Vermont) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strategically Small Church, The: Intimate, Nimble, Authentic, and Effective (Paperback)

This is one of the finest books on the small church you'll ever read. It is a great mix of encouragement and practical application. I loved the section on how small churches empower the laity for effective service. The part about how a smaller budget is actually more efficient was also an eye opener.