Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing: How Leaders Can Overcome Costly Mistakes [Hardcover]

Geoff Surratt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 14, 2009

Based on interviews with pastors of growing churches, as well as personal experience, this book identifies the most common mistakes pastors make that keep otherwise healthy churches from reaping the harvest God has prepared. Each chapter spotlights a common mistake, gives real-life examples, uses a generous dose of humor, and provides a practical course of action to recover from the error. The book draws from the experience of Seacoast Church as well as pastors such as Craig Groeschel, Chris Hodges, Perry Nobel, Mark Batterson, Dave Ferguson, Scott Chapman, Dino Rizzo, Ron Hamilton, and Dave Browning, Church leaders will be encouraged to realize that they are not the only ones who struggle, and that turning their situation around may not be as daunting a task as they think. This is a field guide for the common pastor based on actual churches of all sizes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing, Geoff Surratt brilliantly exposes commonly held beliefs that hold churches back. His practical insights will empower your ministry to push through man-made barriers to reach more people with the gospel. -- Craig Groeschel, Pastor, of LifeChurch.tv

From the Publisher

Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing Endorsements

In Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing, Geoff Surratt brilliantly exposes commonly held beliefs that hold churches back. His practical insights will empower your ministry to push through man-made barriers to reach more people with the gospel.
-- Craig Groeschel, Pastor, of LifeChurch.tv

Most anyone can point out the mistakes pastors make, but only someone with a huge heart for leaders and the local church can offer proven solutions. My friend and advisor Geoff Surratt is just that person. Grab your journal and a fresh pen and get ready to take some notes--this book is like a master's degree in church leadership!
-- Nelson Searcy, Lead Pastor, of The Journey Church

Geoff Surratt has profound insights into the inner workings of the church. And he unpacks them in ways that are both practical and inspirational.
-- Mark Batterson

Geoff Surratt knows what it takes to grow and build a healthy church--he's done it as an integral part of the ministry team at Seacoast Church. Now he pulls back the curtain to let us in on the painful lessons he learned along the way and shows us how to avoid making the same missteps. It's a helpful read that just might save your church, your ministry, or your marriage.
-- Larry Osborne, North Coast Church, Vista, California

Geoff Surratt is the peanut butter and jelly for every piece of bread in today's church. He sees things others tend to miss and knows how to frame things in a way that will lift up and encourage those who listen to him.
-- Dino Rizzo, Pastor, of Healing Place Church

A veteran pastor once instructed me, "Take God seriously. Just don't take yourself seriously." Geoff strikes that balance with wit and wisdom. Any growth-oriented pastor will benefit from this book and probably will get a few belly laughs out of it too! The laughter helps the medicine go down.
-- David Browning

Ten Stupid Things That keep Churches from Growing is a must read for pastors and staff if you want your church to grow. This book is very practical--a great read and a useful reference for leaders in ministry. I love the chapter on promoting talent over integrity. It is so easy to try to fast-track leaders and not safeguard your ministry for continued growth. Thanks, Geoff! This is a great book.
-- Dave Ferguson, Lead Pastor, Cummunity Christian Church

Ten Stupid Things is an idiot's guide to church and ministry--and that's a good thing! Surratt's passionate style, pithy writing, and examples help us to think about our own situation with fresh eyes.
--Ed Stetzer, Author, of "Comeback Churches"

"Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing will teach you things you will never learn in seminary but every pastor needs to know. Geoff Surratt brings a fresh, bold, and honest approach to ministry which will help you put the joy back in ministry. You'll get more than a lesson here - you'll get real life experiences from successful churches all across the country.
-- Chris Hodges, Senior Pastor, Church of the Highlands Church of the Highlands, Birmingham, Alabama

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (April 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310285305
• ISBN-13: 978-0310285304
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #305,909 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Geoff Surratt recently joined Saddleback Church staff as Pastor of Church Planting. Before that he served Seacoast Church based in Charleston, South Carolina overseeing their 13 campuses. He has over twenty-seven years of ministry experience in a variety of roles in local churches, and works frequently with other churches across the country in strategic planning and staff development. Geoff is the author of several books including The Multisite Church Revolution and 10 Stupid Things that Keep Churches from Growing. Geoff lives in Orange County, California with his wife Sherry. They have two amazing children and the most beautiful grand daughter on earth.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blog Review, May 5, 2009

By 

Michael Mears "Michaelmears.com" (Tallahassee, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing: How Leaders Can Overcome Costly Mistakes (Hardcover)

So I am sure your first question is are there really only ten? If anything I bet Surratt really listed 10 big categories with tons of stupid ideas and mistakes that every church does. As a Campus Minister in campus ministry some of these mistakes are not so applicable yet still many are all too familiar. About a month ago Geoff Surratt offered a free copy of his most recent book "Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing" to the first 10 people responded. Whenever I see something free offered I always jump at it. I will read a book that has nothing to do with anything I care about and review it if it is free. Though I do not work for a church per se this book was still applicable in campus ministry to really have myself and our staff ask if there is anything we are doing to hinder the opportunity for growth.

The book breaks down 10 core areas where people in ministry hinder growth. Surratt refers to them as stupid because once you read his thoughts its easy to laugh how stupid they yet convicting at the same time when I see how I have done and still do some of these things in my area of ministry. The ten things that Surratt lists are



Leaders do it all
Establishing Wrong role for the pastor's family
Second rate worship experiences
Low quality children's ministry
Promoting talent over integrity
Clinging to bad location
Copying another Successful Church
Favor discipline over Reconciliation
Mixing ministry and Business
Letting committees steer the ship


Right off the bat I knew I would like this book when Geoff mentioned his love for diet coke. The stupid mistake that hit home with me the most was my control issue. The idea that I can lead everything and at a better level than others. As I type this it sounds ridiculous but it is so true. As I read the chapter on leaders doing it all I felt like a mirror was being held up to my face. Geoff really hit it home with me when he explained that the role of the leader is to equip those around us to do works of service (Ephesians 4). Doesn't sound too profound does it? When it became an "aha moment" to me was when he explained that when a leader does it all he is not just doing his biblical role because he or she is taking all the works of service. This has been a major humbling for me as I look at how I direct CCF. Humbling yes indeed but even more freeing than humbling.

Another strength of the books was Geoff's use of input from other great visionaries such as Perry Noble, Craig Groeschel, Mark Batterson and many others. This input through interviews at the end of each chapter was also very valuable. What makes this book different from many others is that it is not a blue print to be another Seacoast Church (where Geoff pastors). I feel like a lot of the time books on church planting and "success" are all about imitation. The most encouraging moment to me was when Geoff explained that without God's power and presence that no church has a chance at growth. Geoff even makes it clear that it is not about imitating other churches rather leading and how God has created you and your church to be under a God given vision not a Bill Hybells or Rick Warren vision. The good and the bad news is that this book does not tell you what to do rather gives you questions (at the end of each chapter) to examine your area of ministry and discuss as a staff. I am thankful for a book that does not give answers rather leaves you examining the way you lead your ministry and sends you to God for a clearer vision and the way to go about it.
http://michaelmears.com/2009/05/05/10-stupid-things-churches-do-geoff-surratt/

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars http://bradpost.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-have-recently-finished-reading-ten.html, July 6, 2009

By 

Bradley A. Post - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing: How Leaders Can Overcome Costly Mistakes (Hardcover)

I have recently finished reading Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches From Growing by Geoff Surratt. I have been a diligent reader this year in the areas of church growth, leadership development, parenting and marriage. I will have to say that this book is in my top two books I have read in the area of church growth. I would compare this book to It by Craig Groeschel. Let me tell you why; Geoff has a great sense of humor and it is evident throughout the book. I really like his sense of humor and it reminds me of Craig's writing.

Geoff does an amazing job with his resources and research. You can tell that he has done a ton of research on this subject and he has the references throughout the book to back it up. At the end of each chapter he does a great job at introducing other successful pastors in the ministry and asks them a series of questions in relation to the subject written in each chapter.

My suggestion is for every church leader to read this book and even go through it as a staff. The insight you will get from this book will help you to make great decisions in the future and minimize mistakes in the future.

At the end of each chapter he also has a series of questions to ask yourself and even discuss with other leaders in your church. I really think Geoff has done an amazing job in writing this book. I am a huge fan and can't wait to read more of his stuff.

Great job Geoff!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Just for Pastors, June 17, 2009

By 

will - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing: How Leaders Can Overcome Costly Mistakes (Hardcover)

"Ten Stupid Things" is a great book that WILL help pastors recognize and avoid pitfalls that will keep their churches from growing. This is great, but since I am not a Sr. Pastor I was a little skeptical about the book's relevance to my life and walk. As a volunteer worship leader, though, I quickly learned that I was making some stupid mistakes

About halfway through the first chapter I realized that this book would be one that I would keep within arms reach, like a handbook for not being stupid in ministry. I have already used some of Geoff's advice to improve our weekend service experience.

Don't be stupid. Get this book and buy an extra copy for somebody who you love. (and who knows you well enough to know that you aren't calling them stupid) You will laugh, as Geoff is a very witty writer, but you will also be challenged and you will take a look at how you do ministry.