Simply Strategic Stuff: Help for Leaders Drowning in the Details of Running a Church (Paperback)

by Tim Stevens (Author), Tony Morgan (Author) "In May 2002 we were on the campus of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California..." (more)
Key Phrases: executive pastor, weekend attendance, hot projects, Granger Community Church, Great Commission, Saddleback Church (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A must-read for senior pastors desiring to understand the 'business' and 'administrative' sides of doing church. -- Doug Slaybaugh, Executive Director, Purpose Drive, 12/04

AT LAST! Someone has written THE book on church management! Clear, accessible, well-indexed, wise, warm, and fun. -- Brian McLaren, Pastor/Author, Fellow in Emergent, 12/04

Every church leader needs the 'stuff' Tim and Tony have packed into this book. These concepts work! -- Kirbyjon Caldwell, Senior Pastor, Windsor Village UMC, 12/04

Product Description
Here are 99 topics church leaders need to know! Some say it's the little things that matter the most, but the little details are often what pastors dread the most. Easy-to-understand and humorous, Simply Strategic Stuff equips pastors to perform the administrative details of pastoring with ease, and enthusiasm. Pastors are encouraged to consider basic principles that will help them develop systems and structures for releasing growth, enabling churches to reach their communities and the world for Jesus Christ!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Group Publishing(CO) (December 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764426257
• ISBN-13: 978-0764426254
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #147,212 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 99 Proven Church Administrative Tips, May 6, 2005

By	Todd Hudnall (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Granger Community Church has become a model of health, growth, and innovation. In Simply Strategic Stuff you'll find 99 proven church administration principles, strategies, and ideas. The value of each chapter varies but I'm confident any pastor could find something that would be helpful. A sampling of some of the chapters include:

* Count the cost before hiring a family member
* Visit other churches and steal their stuff
* Never launch a ministry without a leader
* It's easier to hire than to fire
* You can't overcommunicate the vision

Obviously many of these ideas are conventional wisdom or self-evident but even though most are not novel they are good reminders. If your reading time is limited, you can still find time to read a chapter or two every day to help you stay administratively sharp.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Admistrative than Strategic, but Still Very Good, July 22, 2005

By	David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

When I hear the word "strategic" I think more of planning for future ministry. This book focuses on the administration of present ministry. The title issue aside, the content of this book is extremely helpful and practical for both lay and clergy leaders in the church. It can be read through from cover to cover, but its best use would be as a reference to consult in specific situations. The theology here is conservative, while the methodology is very progressive. I'm pleasantly surprised with this little volume!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Practical Look at Church Management, June 17, 2004

By	WPBDoc "WPBDoc" (Charlotte, NC United States) - See all my reviews

Senior Pastors, Executive Pastors and others in Church Leadership will benefit from this practical, friendly guide to better church management and leadership. This isn't heavy reading and there is a certain "duh" factor in a lot of the advice, but it both challenges and affirms the reader. This is particularly a good book for a church that may be experiencing the "pains" of rapid growth, transition or renewed focus. It is really quite simple reading and not every chapter is for every person or every church situation. All in all, you'll find it well worth the price of the book if you take away only one idea (but you're sure to get more than one). Watch for some "pragmatism" in a few of the chapters...remember, the ends don't always justify the means.