Must read for every church with lay elders
931126
I've yet to see a church that works this hard at training their lay elders....So helpful!!!

It's incredibly practical and very well thought out.

The sample interview questions and sample elder application are more than worth the cost of the book alone.
3555252
I only wish this had been around when I was a pastor! Rich Birch has taken the mystery of what people can do to help a church grow and has broken down into 5 understandable, repeatable systems. While many other church leadership books talk about the theory of growth, Rich gives an immediate action plan that will work across a myriad of contexts. Every church leader would do well to get a copy now and learn these five systems. They are current, understandable, and immediately applicable. Thanks Rich, for helping the Church with this work!
4280872
This book is so real and so encouraging to me. I am leading a 'slow' study of it with several people in my small, 50 year old church. We have always been a congregation with justice as our watch word, willing to ask hard questions and to seek faithful answers. This book is helping us to learn better how, in a world where church is often just another social club, we can continue to live the life we feel called to, creatively and within our "neighborhood" with integrity and love.
2626275
This is a fantastic read. Reading this book was as listening to Billy a Graham at the crusades during his preaching years. Every mature person should read this. Some solid good advise on the aging process and also not being afraid to face the future.  VERY GOOD
4074827
Although entering this book with church members late, I have grasped an enlightenment on why church is the essential body. I would recommend this reading to nonbelievers, people who have drifted away from their faith, and even the consistent church goers. This book is something to read and learn for everyone.
2063477
This is one of the most contemporary looks at spiritual balance in churches written today.  Few churches really have IT, all churches want IT.  What is the difference?  Groeschel explains in simple, understandable terms.  A must read for every church in America!
3576083
Along with his book "Back from the Dead", this book offers valuable lessons in congregational development for lay leaders as well as (or in spite of !) the clergy.  The basic premise that church leaders must first believe they have a future is the foundation for excellent ideas.  Every clergy person, treasurer, finance chairman and stewardship team should read this.
2571715
Awesome book on serving Christ and His people, straight from the scriptures and filled with helpful insight from many years of expieirience from pastor Ed. A very practical book and easy to read!
As a senior pastor myself, I would highly recommend everyone who desires to serve well in their churches to read this book!
4874482
Cannot recommend this book enough for any Jesus-following leader. It's packed with grace and intergenerational wisdom for the 20 something as for the 80 something. Was a wonderful book to read solo, but now I'm wanting to read it in a group. The fringes of its invitations and implications, whether for a local church staff, city, or ministry, are endless.
1430541
I received my "Doing Church" a few weeks ago and I have already plowed through this first volume.  This work, as edited by Dr. William Watley, is an OUTSTANDING gift to the Body of Christ.  Invaluable!  He has gathered the "Greats" to help the church "Do" church better.  He has spared no expense in gathering the best and the brightest to help each pastor or lay leader--at every step and stage of their ministry--do church better.  If you are pastor it is a MUST read....if you are  lay leader it is a MUST read.

I just started pastoring a small church...I have so much work to do.  This book has helped me, in so many areas, to put things in perspective.

Many of us will never be able to sit down with those who have contributed to this masterpiece to pick their brains.  Thanks be to God, Dr. Watley has provided us with a way to do this.  I was blown away by the contributors:  James Abbington, Claude Alexander, Charles Booth, Patrick Clayborn, Delman Coates, William DeVeaux, Floyd Flake, Teresa Fry Brown, Cecelia Greene Barr, Cynthia Hale, Donald Hilliard, Gregory Ingram,Reginald Jackson, TD Jakes, John Jenkins, Caroyln Ann Knight, Sir Walter Lee Mack, Anthony Maclin, Paul Martin, TJ Martin, Richard Norris, Debra Haggins O'Bryant, Alfred & Susie Owens, Dennis Proctor, Jerry Sanders, Raquel St. Clair, Frank Thomas, Din Tolbert, Matthew Watley, William Watley, Lance Watson, Ralph West, Lee Washington

What is even better is the wealth of knowledge you will receive for this low price.  When I first heard the book was coming out I had assumed it would cost a fortune because of those who had contributed.  I was wrong!  Do like I did, I bought one set for myself and ordered another for a colleague as a gift for their pastoral anniversary.
1583388
Our church (Wellsprings Church in Middleton, ID) gives out a copy to all of our men. It's our high recommendation to all of our men that they read it, and it is our prayer that each man develops a desire from the Lord to become an elder of our church. At least our hope is that it helps each man to shepherd their own family.
1870561
this is a great book that every ministry leader and pastor should read.
3893094
The best book in print about how to work together in harmony, whether you are helping to lead a church, growing a business, or simply trying to understand the relationships around you on the job or at home. Extremely well written, wonderfully clear --- Larry Osborne gets to the point and shows you how Biblical, positive, spiritual leadership is meant to function. Backing it up is the author's personal experience as one of the brightest and most sought-after pastors and leaders of today's church. A must-read for key lay leaders, elder boards, pastoral staff --- and more.

Dr. David Frisbie, The Center for Marriage & Family Studies
Author of 8 books, including&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Making-a-Marriage-7-Essentials-for-a-Strong-Relationship/dp/0834123010/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Making a Marriage: 7 Essentials for a Strong Relationship</a>
1949840
This book is a must read for all clergy and people in the church that desire healing in the church. The book takes a look at the traditional church methods in how the church is healing their people. Mr. Noble challenges the "traditional" is it a blessing or a curse.
1956029
I'd encourage pastors to place Your Ministry Matters in the hands of as many church members as possible.  In the book, Pastor Ted Brancheau reignites a revolution of ministry that could transform a community.  This is a great read with practical teaching on life-giving, joyful service which will bless the servant as well as those being served.  Put Your Ministry Matters on your "must read" list.
3169929
This is the best book Ive read so far in my 30 years walk in the Christian faith on the purpose of God for the church as a multi-ethnic and multi-generational body. The information in the book has the capacity to transform the individual Christian and any church congregation in any part of the world. The appeal is both local and global, at the same time. It is a must-read for the follower of Christ who seeks to know and fulfill the purpose of God in breaking the walls of division that is currently pulling the Church and nations apart. Derwin Gray spoke the mind of Christ in simple, clear and yet powerful terms that it becomes practically impossible to put the book down once you start reading it. The book is theologically balanced and Ive been personally blessed reading it and have also carried its message to people and congregations around me. It is highly recommended!
3598978
Dickerson does an excellent job diagnosing problems and then outlining the remedies for moving forward.  Highly recommend for older generation church leaders to rethink the old strategies for winning the lost.