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Barna studied some of the most successful churches in America (defined as those growing rapidly while having a major impact on the lives of people). What he found provides a new definition of effective church ministry: remaining true to the Gospel while remaining relevant to society. Anyone who thinks "church" has to mean "organs, robes, and cathedrals" will hate this book. Anyone who wants to know how to make church more relevant to Americans' daily lives, without compromising the Gospel message, must read it. This can (and should) change the way you do ministry

This is a very good book. In it, Barna examines growing churches and then extrapolates growth principles that they have in common. Barna warns the greater that to simply copy the methodologies and formats of successful churches without first analyzing one's own culture is to guarantee failure.

Barna refutes to give pat answers to difficult questions. He urges the reader to understand the spiritual principles behind successful churches and then apply them to his or her own unique situation. The emphasis on leadership is superb. No church can grow if the pastor does not understand what it means to be a leader and to lay out a God-given vision for his people. No statement is truer than this: If the people in your church do not seem truly excited or passionate about ministry, he is because they do not have a leader who models those traits for them."

I must confess that I am a real Barna fan and find it rather difficult to find fault with his work. Although at times he can get bogged down in statistics this book is remarkably lucid and worthy of sharing with my lay leadership. It has a clear, concise and limited purpose and Barna fulfills it admirable.