A Welcome Alternative To Common Church Planting Books
597610
I just finished reading Mike McKinley's book and I found it an easy read that was quite enjoyable for a number of reasons:

1.  It was more story than it was "how to".  If you want nuts and bolts of church planting this isn't for you - but if you want to hear a real-life story of someone who has been in the trenches "Wimps" is a great read.

2.  There certainly IS a lot of pressure for church planters to perform and be "successful" from day one, and it was refreshing to be reminded of how God looks at his work with a different lens.

3.  Mike wrote about some issues that cannot be ignored such as church government, leadership development, etc. that will be very useful for a church planter.

Overall, it was a great book.  It should definitely be included in the library of every church planter.  I myself am planting a church in 2011 and am glad to have read it.  It's a great balance to the other books that sometimes error as over-sized checklists and to-do books.
3700139
Frank Viola has presented for us here a very comprehensive look at organic church and organic church planting.  However, I feel that there is much confusion about those terms in the alternative church landscape right now.  What does it mean that a church is "organic"?  And what does it mean to plant these types of churches?

Frank does a great job in describing both in this new work.  He draws from three sources to make his case: the New Testament, church history, and his own 21 years of experience both being in and planting such churches.

I have recently seen than many in the so called "house church movement" are drawing from other sources such as the business world and the internet to make their cases for network marketing the church and rapid church multiplication.  This tells me that perhaps there are no other sources to back up these methods.

How about if we get back to the New Testament story and the history of those who have gone before us to find out what "organic church" really is?  Viola does exactly that in "Finding Organic Church" and it is a very important contribution to what God is saying to the church today.
2038355
If I want to learn to build a birdhouse or make Coq au vin or speak German there are any number of simple,  step-by-step guides from which I can choose. But what if I want to learn how to prepare and preach a sermon? Though there are many books on preaching, my experience is none of them is what you'd call simple and straight forward. Most read like seminary text-books (perhaps that's because many of them are seminary text books!). But, David Murray's How Sermons Work, is not like that at all.

This is the best book on sermon preparation I've read. Murray approaches preaching as a skill that can be learned, not a mystical talent delivered from on high to a select few. While it is true certain men are more suited for ministry than others, it is equally true that having a "calling" to ministry does not negate the need to learn good sermon preparation techniques. Murray makes it clear that a man called of God to deliver His word has a responsibility to put in the time necessary to become good at what he does.

The book is very logically organized with chapters on how to select a text, how to organize the information and how to apply the text in a way that is helpful to the listener. Never having been to seminary, the most helpful part for me was the chapter on exegesis. I found the list of exegetical questions particularly helpful. I've created a template of these questions and have begun using it to prepare Bible lessons.

While a systematic approach and simplicity are the book's strengths, Murray doesn't assume those are all that's needed to teach God's word. He has an excellent chapter on preparing to preach that emphasizes the importance of prayer and familiarity with scripture as prerequisites for God-honoring, life-changing preaching. He also emphasizes the importance of character in one who teaches the Bible, quoting Al Martin:

"Next to the presence of Christ, there is no greater companion to the minister than that of a good conscience. To have the Lord at your side and a peaceful conscience in your breast - these are the preacher's two greatest companions."

The only complaint I have about the book is not about the content but the Kindle version I read. There was no active table of contents, in fact, no table of contents at all. I find the table of contents helpful both in getting a feel for a book before reading it and in gathering my thoughts about it for things like this review after I've read it. With that in mind, you may want to consider the print version of this book unless that has been changed in the Kindle version.

If you teach the Bible either as a pastor or otherwise, this is a book to read and add to your library. Like William Zinsser's On Writing Well (which interestingly Murray references in his book) this is a book I will review periodically and keep handy as a reference.
1871899
Some months ago, Dave McClung of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention wanted to know if I would like to participate in one of a few small groups working through Missional Essentials by Brad Brisco and Lance Ford. Now, Dave is a cool, eclectic, smart, well-read guy with a deep love for the church and a keen eye on how the church engages culture. Furthermore, I have for some time now regretted the fact that I have never seriously wrestled with the whole missional concept , so I said yes.

Missional Essentials is a workbook, though it has some strong sections of insightful prose on the missional church as well. It is an insightful primer to missional thinking as well as a practical challenge to many of the assumptions undergirding the institutional church today. The reading sections are helpful and make very good use of other sources and the workbook interaction sections do a good job of (a) leading the reader to interact with scripture and (b) challenging the reader to think through the practice of missional living.

In essence, the missional movement is calling the church to see itself as a missionary in its culture. What this means is that the local church should stop seeing itself as an entity that engages in mission projects and trips and instead should see itself as the mission project. What this means is that church doesnt send out missionaries, the church is Gods missionary. Therefore, all believers are to embrace missional living, in and through their church, to be sure, but in their neighborhoods as the church preeminently. If you have grown up in the conservative, institutional, North American church, you will readily get what is so revolutionary about this thought and against what fallacious ecclesiological concepts it is pushing.

I would caution you in one way about reading Missional Essentials: if you do not want to be seriously unsettled in your complacency concerning loving and reaching your neighbors, do not read this work. This workbook, especially the last third of it, really engages the reader with pretty direct questions about whether or not we love our neighbors, are actively forming relationships with them, and are being good stewards of our homes. It has certainly caused me to have a number of conversations with my wife about developing a strategy to reach the streets on which we live.

I have every intention of leading The church I pastor through this study. I believe this is fantastic, biblical, soul-stirring stuff that I, for one, desperately needed to hear.
613329
This is a must read for anyone seeking to be involved in church planting.  TFT will take the reader from theory to step by step application in the context of where you live.  While it is not a how to book giving a detailed plan to follow, it is much better than that.  Instead, Steve Smith takes time to teach the principles of Training for Trainers so that everyone can use this concept no matter what culture and context you live in.  The great thing about this book is that you do not have to be the pastor or lead church planter to benefit from it.  Anyone with a heart to make a difference in this world for Jesus will want to read it.
3284845
Book Review: The Blessed Churchby Robert Morris

  There is certainly no shortage of books written on principles for effective ministry in the local church. Some of these center on key principles, ministry areas, or thematic commitments that can be applied to a variety of settings. Others trace the journey of a particular leader or congregation. The Blessed Church: The Simple Secret to Growing the Church You Love by Robert Morris seeks to be a blend of these two approaches. As founding senior pastor of Gateway Church, a multi-campus church in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Robert Morris writes a first-person narrative of his own journey of starting a church and the key principles that have led to Gateways effective ministry. With a membership of 36,000, Gateway Church is one of the 10 largest churches in the United States. Often when reading such a book, it can be hard for the average pastor or church leader to relate to a ministry of this magnitude. Having said that, The Blessed Church, does seek to highlight key principles that are transferable to churches and ministries, regardless of their size.

  One of the neat features of the book is that each short chapter contains a key to a Blessed Church, set apart from the text, and easy to reference. While there is not much here that is new or original, the book does present these concepts in a way that is easy to understand, retain, and share with others. Certainly there are sections of the book that are more focused on the particular setting and success of Gateway Church, but by in large the principles shared can be processed in helpful ways regardless of ones setting.
  The book covers board categories including vision, the pastor as shepherd, leadership development, church governance, and church culture. I found the sections of pastor as shepherd and principles for creating a positive church culture to be the most helpful. The section on church governance would be more helpful in non-denominational or independent settings and less so to those who are a part of a church with a polity that is connected to a larger denomination or association. Additionally, there is a simple, but helpful resource for leading a church leadership retreat. This could be utilized in conjunction with this book, or any other book or topic.

  The Blessed Church is easy to read, positive in approach, and includes helpful thoughts that can be applied in a wide-range of church ministry settings. It can be a helpful resource for pastors and church leaders alike.

 John W. Nielson

Note: I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of a blog review program.
4560105
I like things that save space. I love my Iphone because I can have all of my apps in one place. I love my Ipad because I can carry around digital versions of my books wherever I go. And I love Interpreting the Pauline Letters by John D. Harvey because in one (small!) book he draws together information that could only be gleaned by several commentaries, books, and homiletic books.

Interpreting the Pauline Letters (the first in a new series by Kregel that seeks to educate pastors in how to do proper exegesis) is impressive in what it sets out to accomplish. Chapter 1 sets out the genre of Paul's Letters. Harvey has specialized for quite a while in oral patterns in Paul's writings. As a result, this is a pretty dense (but important) chapter that sets out some principles on how Paul structures his letters.

Chapter 2 contains the historical background behind Paul's letters. Harvey also includes a brief defense of authorship of the disputed Pauline letters. All of this information is meant to be sufficient but not exhaustive. In other words, for the pastor pressed on time, the information presented is just enough.

Chapter 3 includes the theology of Paul's letters. Obviously, Harvey cannot be exhaustive here but he actually accomplishes far more than I expected. He sets forward the key to understanding Paul's thinking: in Adam/in Christ and extrapolates from there. Further, he goes through each letter and draws out the emphasis of each.

Chapters 4-8 walk the pastor through the stages of sermon preparation from translation to written sermon. It should be noted that you have to know Greek to track with what Harvey says at this point. Seminary students shouldn't have any problems but pastors with little to no knowledge of Greek won't gain nearly as much out of this.

My only complaint here is the complaint I have with MOST expositional sermon books: the amount of work they suggest the pastor should do in preparation for the sermon is immense. Now do not get me wrong: I value pastors who pour their energy into a sermon and I think sermon preparation is absolutely essential. Realistically, however, I do not know how many pastors have time to weigh the importance of each and every textual variant found in the Greek.

That said, I am glad there is a book out there that at least gives pastors an ideal to work towards. Further, it would seem that more and more churches are adopting "teaching pastors" who spend more time studying and researching. I can see this book being a Godsend for them. I also love that Harvey, a Pauline expert, gives a list of recommended resources when studying Paul.

In conclusion, I would strongly recommend this book for pastors and Bible teachers. It is impressive in what it accomplishes and yet the size is incredibly manageable (211 pages including glossary). The price tag is small and for the information you get, it is a steal.

*Thanks to Kregel Academic Publishing for providing a free review copy of this work in exchange for a fair review*
1609248
just like the title says, this book will help you get started down the church-planting path. with theological and philosophical discussion first, then real practical guidance following. felicity helped me see that though church planting may not be easy, it doesn't have to be overly complicated.
2182478
This is a mildly dated and basic but helpful book to introduce the emerging church to those who are otherwise unfamiliar with it.  The writing style is definitely modern, with organized chapters, charts, and an "us-them" tone, which makes sense, as Kimball is trying to reach those who are not yet aware of the philosophical changes in the (mostly) younger generations who are not coming to their churches.  I have read a fair amount about the emerging church, and so far, the content here is consistent with other authors, and it is probably more accessible than many other books out there.  It also has helpful information that I hadn't considered (for example, postmoderns aren't going to one day just "grow up" and be modern like the rest of us - I was challenged by this concept into questioning my own assumptions and my too-frequently dissmissive attitude toward postmoderns as simply immature).

My only real complaints about this book are in its visual layout and its lack of a warning when it comes to respect for Scripture.  The margins are filled with little boxes for other authors to comment on the topics, for definitions of key terms, and for one-sentence summaries that are never all that helpful.  I think the intention was for these boxes to make the book more conversational, but the effect is that of a junior high science textbook, and it gives this important subject a certain juvenile tone that doesn't serve it well.  Also, Kimball's personal convictions are clearly Bible-based and supported with plenty of Scripture, which may be why he never warns the reader of the dangers of some emerging/emergent groups that do not hold Scripture in nearly as high a regard.  Other than those minor points, though, I recommend this book as an introduction to the emerging church.
4477431
Church revitalization is one of my areas of special interest, as I have pastored two different traditional churches in East Tennessee and currently serve as a Director of Missions in an association of mostly older, established churches.  When I heard that Dr. Bill Henard was writing a church revitalization book, I was anxious for its release. Dr. Henard is the pastor of Porter Memorial Baptist Church and teaches in the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, and Ministry at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also from East Tennessee (Im biased) and he pastored a church in my high school town for a number of years. I know that he is familiar with ministering in established churches in the Bible belt and was eager to hear what he had to say. Can These Bones Live? did not disappoint. An immensely practical book with sound foundational theology and methodology, Can These Bones Live?deals with the tough issues in the area of church revitalization.

Dr. Henard begins by laying a theological foundation for church revitalization. He stresses a commitment to the authority of Scripture, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and the ministry of prayer. Chapter two deals with evaluating the churchs current situation and assessing the challenges involved in leading an established congregation through the revitalization process. The rest of the chapters each deal with different problems concerning church revitalization. The chapter titles may at first glance sound pessimistic, but they represent problems that are dealt with by each chapter. The final chapter introduces The Change Matrix, a helpful system of bringing about lasting change in an established organization.

Can These Bones Live? is a very practical book that offers several concrete steps to revitalizing the local church. One of the most refreshing aspects of this book is Dr. Henards candid approach to the task. He doesnt make grandiose claims, or unrealistic promises. Henard assures the reader that church revitalization is difficult work and is a spiritual warfare. However, he doesnt just live the reader discouraged, he jumps down into the trenches and begins teaching how to facilitate change in the church. Henard recognizes that some churches simply have no interest in growing, but even in cases like this, there is no cause to give up. Henard says, If the church does not want to grow and the reason lies in the lack of spiritual growth in the church, the pastor needs to set aside most any major plans or vision and concentrate on developing disciples (pg. 58). This is but one example where wisdom meets realism in Can These Bones Live? and I found this quite refreshing.

One might criticize Can These Bones Live? for being pragmatic and not dwelling enough on theology. However, this misunderstands the purpose of the book. It is written to address the oft-neglected practical aspect of ministry in a declining church. If one is interested in church revitalization, the practical considerations will have to be dealt with and this is exactly what Henard accomplishes.  Each chapter is replete with practical wisdom and you can tell that Dr. Bill Henard has gained much of his knowledge through on-the-job training. Can These Bones Live? belongs on the reading list of anyone involved or interested in church revitalization.

Ray Umphrey
Director of Missions
Union Baptist Association, Kentucky
232603
The themes provided in this book are timely to any church growth, regardless of denomination. They do work: focus on the music, offer relevant preaching, encourage small groups, etc. In this, the authors did an exceptional job of combining them into one place. Especially helpful is that it is offered to a Catholic audience, which may be adverse to reading other church growth pieces from Evangelical sources.

The downside, however, is how it was actually implemented by Church of the Nativity. I didn't full appreciate it until I researched the church further. If you view their YouTube videos and website you will find a church that looks very little like any other Catholic Church. In growing their church they have exchanged worship (latria) and emphasis on the Eucharistic Sacrifice for a connection with the personal and the emotional. While this has given them growth and success it is at a terrible price.

The universal themes here can be applied in a Catholic model to help growth a church with authentic Catholic tradition and spirituality. But Tradition and Scripture, as we are reminded in Dei Verbum from Vatican II, cannot be separated. So, definitely use the suggestions presented in this book but within a Catholic ethos and it will be helpful.
1103386
In modern times, the Church emulates the world. Saints of all denominations dress, talk, and pray like the world-especially in the house of the Lord. Today's worship is just another production in which we can feel good about ourselves so we can go home and finish making Sunday dinner. Personal testimonies substitute Biblical preaching. Rock concerts replace the Psalms of David. Yes, even cookies and orange juice supplants bread and wine in many congregations. Where is the Church's hope? Does it have any? Or will the Church continue to slide down the slippery slope becoming more and more like world? Peter Leithart's Kingdom and the Power says no, the Church will not become like the world. Rather, the world will become like the Church. In his book, Leithart declares that the power and blessing of God's kingdom are realized in the worship and through the sacraments of the Church.
Many details make this book unique in its field. First, the emphasis on the liturgical (or sacramental) model sets this book apart from most books in Protestantism and Reformed camps.
Another aspect making the book peerless is the refreshing optimistic outlook. Postmillenialism is refreshing.
Moreover, Leithart supports his ideas with weighty documentation. He cites verses for nearly every new-sprung thought. He cites items obvious to some to make it easy on the reader who needs evidence for every point. Furthermore, Leithart writes very concise. He does not bundle the reader down with point after point phrased in several different ways. Interesting analogies and stories keep the reader entertained yet do not add to the labor of reading the book.
I found this book to be very important to the increasing pile of books on the table. First, the book is consistently reformed. Leithart makes no apologies about what he believes. Second, the work is simple enough for a common reader yet not dumbed down. Third, the invigorating outlook excites the reader.
1700638
I have dozens of books on church revitalization. They range from trendy and shallow to not bad, but few of them are really good. That's why I am glad to have found From Embers to a Flame: How God Can Revitalize Your Church. This book manages to be both biblically grounded and practical, and is a useful guide for church leaders who would like to see their churches transformed.

The author, Harry L. Reeder III, first makes a case for why church revitalization is necessary. This is important because revitalization is sometimes ignored in favor of church planting, leaving pastors in struggling churches wondering if it's worth it. Reeder then offers a paradigm for revitalization based on the church in Ephesus, which he traces through Acts, the pastoral epistles, and from Revelation 2. Reeder describes ten strategies that fall under three categories: remember, repent, and recover the first things.

While some may find ten strategies or steps to be signs of yet another pragmatic book focused on methodology, these strategies go deeper than many I've read. I'm glad he emphasizes the importance of connecting with the past, and acknowledging and repenting of corporate sins. His focus on gospel-driven and Christ-centered ministry is also welcome and necessary. Reeder writes, "Since the gospel is such an important, powerful, and life-changing message, it should be the center of everything we do in the church of Jesus Christ." Although this should be obvious, it's often ignored. Reeder also emphasizes the importance of biblical preaching, since God uses his Word to change the hearts of people.

Reeder also covers other matters that sometimes come too early: mission and vision, the multiplication of servant leaders, small group discipleship, and evangelism.

Reeder concludes, "The church you pastor may not be a flame bringing light and heat, but I know that its embers can be stirred up - not through gimmicks, programs, or personalities, but through godly leadership to a biblical paradigm of church revitalization." It is this emphasis that I appreciate most. If you're in a church that needs revitalization, I highly recommend this book.
1648330
Sacramental Life: Spiritual Formation Through the Book of Common Prayer (IVP, 2008) by Daniel deSilva takes the reader through The Book of Common Prayer as a method of spiritual formation. Part of IVP's Formatio publishing line, Sacramental Life leads the reader to a deeper spiritual walk with Jesus by taking us through the riches of the Anglican prayer book.

The book is divided into four sections: Baptism, Holy Eucharist, Christian Marriage, and Christian Burial. Each section has a series of readings. Each reading ends in a practical application. All in all, there are 45 readings, making this an ideal book to read daily during a season of spiritual reflection.

There is much to glean from deSilva's book. The practical applications are especially helpful. Some of them are tangible expressions that could serve as powerful object lessons in a pastoral setting.

As a Baptist, my problems with Sacramental Life are theological in nature. There is much to appreciate in deSilva's comments on baptism. Yet, as expected, I part ways with deSilva on the mode of baptism as well as the persons qualifed for baptism.

Likewise, I take issue with several of deSilva's theological affirmations. For example, deSilva sees patriarchy as a sinful system of injustice (and therefore, in the Marriage section, he subsumes the wife-submission texts under the principle of mutual submission). He also affirms that Christ is the only way to the Father, but then undercuts that belief by encouraging prayer for God to have mercy on the dead.

Despite occasional unbiblical speculations and left-leaning presuppositions, most of the counsel in Sacramental Life is theologically sound and spiritually beneficial. I enjoyed the thoughtfulness of the book and the emphasis on returning to the past for spiritual formation in the present. The book succeeded in increasing my appreciation for The Book of Common Prayer, even if Sacramental Life is not a book I would heartily recommend for all readers.
3918607
we find christian books easily at yard sales, but we're trying to give our kids more of a world view, this is a great resource and alternative to the regular childrens book.  Well written and enjoyable
4403092
In an article he wrote in 2014 for the Huffington Post, McLaren explains his motives for writing this book and how he decided to structure it. The book comes out of a lifelong desire to search for a new kind of Christianity, the same motive at the heart of many books he has already written. This book is specifically meant to provide a coherent introduction to Christian faith for people for whom traditional framings aren't working.  Additionally, the book aims to introduce readers to a new and better approach to reading the Bible, which he calls the critical/literary approach. He describes this approach as applying critical thinking to the Biblical texts, somewhat similar to kicking your cars tires.

 The contents in fifty-two chapters (one for each week of the year), grouped into four sections that are meant to loosely resemble the typical scripture readings and rhythms of the liturgical calendar. Further, each chapter is written as a short sermon, which could be read aloud in approximately ten minutes. At the end of each chapter, there is a list of questions meant to stimulate further discussion and reflection. At the back of the book there is an appendix listing Liturgical Resources and one with Guidelines for learning circles.

 McLarens aim is to present that coherent, comprehensive narrative in an accessible and constructive way. By accessible, one can assume that he means easy to read and understand, and in this respect, McLaren fulfills his promise well. His prose is clear, engaging and refreshingly congenial. The goal of presenting a reasonably coherent and comprehensive narrative [of the history of salvation] is fulfilled in a necessarily superficial way.

 So far, it would seem as if this book promises to be every pastors answer to small group ministry. Not so. The biggest problem is McLarens goal of providing the material in a constructive way, which he understands as material that is aimed to simply present those better understandings so they could stand or fall on their own merits. Nevertheless, once one starts to read each chapter carefully and with attention to detail, one finds oneself feeling irritated, baffled, and seriously skeptical of McLarens (or anyones) attempt to make sense of the entire Bible in essentially 262 pages. There are many occasions in which misinterpretation or sloppy thinking has produced howlers that would or should shock anyone. In fact, McLaren frequently falls into common habits which I caution my students against, namely: (1) conflating Biblical texts, especially the four gospels, and (2) reading meanings into a Biblical text which are clearly not there. Further, McLaren tends to treat the Bible as a unified story, and not as a collection of individual texts with different points of view and with distinct literary and historical contexts. Last but not least, I found the questions at the end of each chapter to be unimpressive. Thus, in McLarens handling, the Bible becomes as harmonized, sanitized, and seamless as a popular TV mini-series. It should be no surprise that this is the sort of dumbed down approach that is prevalent among conservative evangelical Christians. Without Biblical substance, faith and theology can easily go down a slippery slope which produces Christians who don't know why they are Christian or how to be one.
2996837
Gaining by Losing by J.D. Greear has quickly become my favorite book of 2015. In this book, Greear makes the bold assertion that the best way to grow the Kingdom of God is not to grow your church, but to deliberately reduce the numbers by sending church members out into the world to plant churches and take the gospel to the ends of the earth. This premise is a breath of fresh air in a time when conventional wisdom says to grow your church by making your service louder, hipper, and as much like the world as possible while walking the fine line between kingdom work and secularization.

This approach is not only Biblical, but also an approach that is long in coming. As America becomes more and more irreligious, unbelievers become increasingly unwilling to step through the doors of the church. This is true, as J.D. Greear says, no matter how attractive we make them. This approach to doing church will delight those like myself who are tired of the hipster church mentality and church growth programs founded upon the glamorous promises of a national spotlight for the lead pastor. While these things in themselves are not bad, they unintentionally lead to a culture of collecting congregants as a means of supporting their growth strategy rather than being about the business of making disciples.

I heartily recommend Gaining by Losing. As a pastor, the book is inspiring and satisfies that deep desire for being a faithful shepherd. It lays out a clear vision of multiplying the gifts that God has entrusted pastors and elders with.  But this book is not a book only for pastors. It is a book for all believers who long to be sent out and participate in the work God is doing in building his kingdom.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from  the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.