Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations (Paperback)

by Robert Schnase (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Five Practices is a thought-provoking book for congregational leaders who want to see the church fulfill its mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ. -- Leading Ideas Book Review by Tom Berlin, senior pastor of Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon, Virginia

Schnase is helpful because he tells the truth. He is hopeful because he imagines a different and more faithful future for the church. The practices described in this book will lead any pastor or leader, or better yet any congregation, toward renewal in the service of God's mission. -- Circuit Rider Magazine Book Review by Kenneth H. Carter, Jr., Providence UMC, Charlotte, NC

Product Description
Schnase contends that sucessful congregations often have certain characteristics in common. These fundamental practices demonstrate congregational health, vitality, and fruitfulness. They also help churches fulfill their mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the tranformation of the world.

The five practices of fruitful congregations:
-Radical Hospitality
-Passionate Worship
-Intentional Faith Development
-Risk-Taking Mission and Service
-Estravagant Generosity

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (May 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0687645409
• ISBN-13: 978-0687645404
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,750 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars CPR for Stagnant congregations; or Caffeine for the already strong!, November 15, 2008

By	Kevin Quinley "GeezerJock" (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Author Robert Schnase offers one compelling perspective of "best practices" in congregational settings.

The five best practices (my terminology, not Schnase's) are:

* Radical hospitality
* Passionate worship
* Intentional faith development
* Risk-taking mission and service
* Extravagant generosity

Not a cookbook, but an effective blueprint for how churches can grow and thrive. This was the reading for a small 5-week study group I joined at church and it made for terrific discussion.

One problem might be if congregations take this book and turn it into an extensive checklist for congregational success. The idea is that these practices flow out of Christian love and faithfulness, not that this is a template for every church to ape; that at least is my perspective on "Five Practices." This, however, is no criticism of Schnase but rather how some churches might take and try to use the book.

To get some great ideas on applying CPR to stagnant congregations - or to take a strong congregation to "the next level" - I'd highly recommend "Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations,"

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for all new church members, October 20, 2008

By	Pamela Pallak "Pammaw" (Cheyenne, Wyoming United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I got this for an adult Sunday School class, and we all like it so much that we are thinking about making it part of our new member orientation.
It is an outstanding book, along with the prayer book, to get folks out of the pews and doing God's work in the community.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for your church ... and your business, June 9, 2008

By	K. Macdonald (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The five practices apply to your congregation, but they also apply without much difficulty to most businesses. This is a great good book ... written well with valuable specific examples. Pick it up! Books like this don't come along that often.