Customer Reviews

When God Builds a Church: 10 Principles for Growing a Dynamic Church

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're looking for a church growth book containing new innovations, slick marketing techniques or cutting edge theory, "When God Builds A Church" is not the book I'd recommend. Instead, Bob Russell relates ten basic principles for healthy church growth that have been tried and proven extremely effective in the laboratory of the local church. Southeast Christian Church is a church Christ is using to make a big difference in their community and one other churches should learn from. Though Bob argues for his personal preference in worship style and church government, the emphasis of the book is a presentation of universal principles for effective church ministry. Within the ranks of Bible-believing Christians, "When God Builds A Church" is very inclusive and non-sectarian. The book is vision inspiring, faith challenging and "real life" practical. The best thing about the book is that it leaves you believing if God can do something great through Bob, He can do something great through me. I highly recommend the book to all pastors and church members wanting to grow a healthy and effective church.

In this interesting and highly readable book, the author identifies and discusses "ten principles for growing a dynamic church." They are:

1. Truth: Proclaim God's Word as Truth and Apply it to People's Lives
2. Worship: Worship God Every Week in Spirit and in Truth
3. Leadership: Develop Christ-Centered Leaders Who Lead by Example
4. Excellence: Do Your Best in Every Area of Service
5. Faith: Be Willing to Step Out with a Bold Faith and Take Risks
6. Harmony: Maintain a Spirit of Harmony
7. Participation: Expect the Congregation to Participate in Every Area of Ministry
8. Fellowship: Continually Practice Agape Love for One Another
9. Stewardship: Give Generously of God's Resources as a Church and as Individuals
10. Evangelism: Commit Enthusiastically to Evangelism as Your Primary Mission

The author devotes a separate chapter to each of these principles in which he describes its scriptural basis and discusses its implementation in real life settings. This discussion includes a wealth of very practical information and advice on how to apply the principles effectively, and how to avoid or overcome stumbling blocks and problems.

Although one may disagree with the precise way in which the principles have been applied in the author's own "mega-church," the principles themselves appear fundamentally sound and can profitably be adapted in other congregational settings.

If you liked the Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren, you're going to love WHEN GOD BUILDS A CHURCH by Bob Russell. This is destined to be a classic and a "must-have" book for every pastor and church leader in America. After you've read the book you'll want to visit the Southeast Church in Louisville. But, be prepared...you'll never be the same again.

This book reminds us that a church can grow with out compromising spiritual values. This book is not a management book. It provides 10 principles that have worked for South East Christian Church, and can be adapted and used by any one. In fact we are encouraged not to try to use a cookie cutter approach. If I were to recommend two books for church growth, they would be The Purpose Driven Church, and When God Builds a Church.

This book, "When God Builds a Church," contains biblical principles and real-life examples for building a strong, evangelistic church. Although I am opposed to the mega-church model and much of the church growth movement for doctrinal reasons, I recommend this book because the general principles it advocates are sound and can be adapted for use in congregations anywhere, without necessarily embracing the big church idea. As a missionary in Brazil, South America I found this work to be encouraging, and hope to implement many of its ideas in a new church work here.

I went to his church first. Then I bought the book. Bob Russell tells you in this book how to grow your church in plain English. His methods turn out to be biblically based management methods that you would recognize in a business management course, but here the Bible is giving you insights on how to build your church. This book should be read by every Pastor, elder, deacon, lay leader and church member who has the least interest in helping God grow the church. These principals are rock solid, easily understandable and to the point. Just Plain Bob gives you the information straight from the heart. He's been there and done that. He's failed a bit and succeeded quite a bit, with God's help. Moral of the story; if you have great faith and these basic skills, you and God can move mountains.

I really liked this book, I started reading it and couldn't put it down. I kept saying "Wow, I can do that." So will you.

Our church purchased 40 copies of this book for an adult study group. We wanted to take a close look at the principles for growth as outlined by Mr. Russell and compare them to our local growth potential. We have been pleased with the discussions and results of that study. We have been encouraged by some of the things we have been doing and challanged to do better in some areas. We recommend using this book as a base to take a look at your local church and see how God might use you to reach others more effectively for His kingdom.

Yes, I am a member of Southeast Christian....butI WANTED to read this book to have a better understanding of how my church got to be what it is today. I had a hard time putting this book down. I have shared it with people in other cities...and told them what an inspiring book this is. Bob is truly a man of God...his writing supports his sincerity and devotion to his ministry. This was enjoyable, and convicting...highly recommended to anyone interested in 'behind the scenes' of an awesome church.

When God Builds a Church is one of the most captivating books ever written if you are interested in growing a church. The principles Bob Russell discusses could apply to any church of 20 or 20,000. It is a great story of how God does amazing things in a church that is faithful to Him and completely gives the church to Him. It is inspiring, uplifting, imformative and the book is hard to put down.

Great read. Even though I am a member of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY, reading Bob Russell's book helped me see the history of how the church grew to be the size it is today and how it was all God-driven. When a church let's God and the bible do the talking instead of trying to promote itself or its leaders, it will grow. Bob's book explains how to take yourself out of the equation and put God at the helm.