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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Doing Church" for God's Glory, June 30, 2010
This review is from: Transformational Church: Creating a New Scorecard for Congregations (Hardcover)
Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer have well-deserved reputations as "gurus" of church organization. They have both written prolifically on a variety of church-related topics, and have contributed an impressive body of research over the years to help churches understand what makes ministry tick.
Unlike many in their field, their approach has always been grounded in the authority of Scripture (rather than the latest and greatest cultural trends) and fully cognizant of the fact that God is the author of all spiritual growth within churches regardless of their particular ministry methodology.
Transformational Church, the latest from LifeWay Research President Stetzer and LifeWay Christian Resources President Rainer, proposes that the Church is fundamentally about radical change--death to life, rebellion against God to kingdom service, etc.--and that too many churches are mired in the status quo of apathy or inward-focused activity that does not contribute meaningfully to Christ's mission.
Through case studies of churches around the U.S. (some large, some small, of different denominations, but all following after God), the authors develop what they call the "new scorecard" for measuring the effectiveness of ministry; this is in addition to (not necessarily in contrast with) the "old scorecard" of attendance, giving, and programs/facilities. They build a theory of the "transformational loop" of church development, which is comprised of three categories: discern, embrace, and engage. They break down the categories into seven key elements that active churches should evince: a missionary mentality, vibrant leadership, relational intentionality, prayerful dependence, worship (actively embracing Christ), community (connecting people with people), and mission (showing Jesus through word and deed). Each of the elements is fleshed out in detail through a chapter of the book.
Stetzer and Rainer try to avoid a "do this, get that" systematic approach to church ministry, attempting rather to show churches in action demonstrating the principals they describe ministry. It is impossible for them to completely escape the style that lends itself to their subject matter (measuring performance), but they leave the reader with an encouragement to evaluate churches from a biblical perspective of kingdom mission, not simply from a traditional measure of success.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
BUY THIS BOOK NOW!, June 25, 2010
This review is from: Transformational Church: Creating a New Scorecard for Congregations (Hardcover)
I have read at least 100 books on the church in my ministry years. It is not a stretch to say that this book is biblical, practical and well researched. The weaving of the seven traits of transformational churches is well balanced by stories and explanations, without providing programs and `reproducible templates' by which the cultural nuances would be lost in their reproduction. This is an excellent book and a powerful read for those who are serious about the church in the coming decade or more. Thank you for beginning the discussion and reviving hope for the church. I look forward to more on this!
Transformational Church should be the first book you read this year if church health and growth are your priorities. Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer have written one of the most researched, biblical, practical and hopeful books on the church in years!
~ Matthew Smith, founder and director of Eagles In Leadership ([..])
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fresh Approach to Meaningful Church Growth, June 4, 2010
This review is from: Transformational Church: Creating a New Scorecard for Congregations (Hardcover)
The authors would like local churches to ask: "How are we doing?" And this then prompts the subsequent query: "How are we doing it?" Many Evangelical churches ascertain success by quantifying attendance, giving, and the size of their church building. But in "Transformational Church," church growth specialists Thom S. Rainer (CEO LifeWay Christian Resources; author of "Simple Church," and "Essential Church")
and Ed Stetzer (missiologist: LifeWay Christian Resources; earned two PhDs; author of: "Comeback Churches," and "Lost and Found") assert that mere numeral growth is not all true congregational success embodies. Biblical truths must under-gird church purpose as it motivates all the plans, aspirations, and objectives of local congregations.
1Corinthians 10:31 "In everything you do, glorify God..."
The authors call and outline an approach to church growth through the earnest implementation of:
- Biblical responsibility
- Mentoring
- Spiritual growth of the congregants
- The leadership passionately magnifying the Lord and modeling the importance therein.
Much of their information comes from a survey of more than 7,000 churches along with hundreds of interviews with pastors and congregants.
Ephesians 1:19-23 "And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Dr. Stetzer and Rainer press the essential need of discipleship concerning the leader's relationship with the Lord Jesus and in producing disciples via mentoring as all members become ministers to those in their own life circle.
This volume will help your congregation:
- Bring more of the lost to Jesus
- Encourage active spiritual growth in church members
- Assist your church in touching and changing your local community and the world.
Read this fascinating work that offers spiritual inspiration and practical solutions to bring about a real transformation in the leadership and members of your congregation and the society around your church.
For Evangelism and apologetics resources that supply insight and Sermon Notes try:
God Does Exist!: Defending the faith using presuppositional apologetics, evidence, and the impossibility of the contrary
or
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See the New Book that proves the existence of God using moral absolutes by Mike Robinson:
There Are Moral Absolutes: How to Be Absolutely Sure That Christianity Alone Supplies
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or additionally see the dynamic new book:
The Necessary Existence of God: The Proof of Christianity Through Presuppositional Apologetics
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