DISCERNING
YOUR CONGREGATION'S FUTURE : A STRATEGIC AND SPIRITUAL APPROACH
by Roy M. Oswald, Robert E., Jr Friedrich, Alban Institute. Discern our future,
don’t plan it. There is a way we ought to go; this book helps open us to
finding that way. Discernment, when coupled with systems thinking and organizational
learning (for example Senge, The Fifth Discipline), provides a way of reframing
the strategic planning process. Trinity, Bend, is using this book in their
current long range planning. Great tools for evaluating your congregation and
opening yourself to guidance from God.
ADVERTISING THE LOCAL CHURCH, by the Rev. Dr. George
Martin. A workbook designed for “all those faithful Christian evangelists who
desire to use all the tools available to throw open the doors of faith to those
God seeks” discusses the ins and outs of effective advertising. Includes free
ad. Available from the Episcopal Ad Project (1-800-331-9391, http://www.churchad.com/),
$39.95
BOBOS* IN PARADISE THE NEW UPPER CLASS AND HOW THEY GOT THERE by
David Brooks. Witty, perceptive tour which may describe the occasional new
member. Find out what Scarsdale is really like. Touchstone Books, 2000, $14.00,
284 pp.
THE DEATH OF THE CHURCH. by Mike Regele with Mark Schulz. Posits
that the church has a choice, to die as a result of its resistance to change or
to die in order to live. Intended to provoke, using biblical, societal, and
demographic analysis this book shows the barriers to faith embedded in old
approaches to ministry and provides sacrificial but well-tested steps toward a
rebirth in response to the disruptive challenges of the new millennium.
Zondervan Publishing, 1995, $ 25.00, (ISBN 0-310-20006-7), 280pp.
44 STEPS UP OFF THE PLATEAU, by Lyle E. Schaller.
Defining a “plateau” as a stagnant holding point in the size and energy of a
congregation, a level at which attention is focused on maintenance of past
structures, this engaging book shows how to move a congregation from a plateau
into growth. Abingdon Press, 1993, $12.00, 144pp.
FISH! A
REMARKABLE WAY TO BOOST MORALE AND IMPROVE RESULTS by Stephen C.
Lundin Ph. D., Harry Paul, John Christensen. Fun, quick, challenging. A parable
with utility in new member ministry. Hyperion, 2000, $19.95, 115 pp.
FROM DISCIPLE TO APOSTLE: A User Friendly Manual for Church
Membership by the Rev. George Martin. A tool for helping visitors to become
members of the church, includes a sample A manual of membership. Available from
the Episcopal Ad Project (1-800-331-9391, www.churchad.com), $1 4.95.
GROWING SPIRITUAL REDWOODS by William Easum &
Thomas Bandy. Provides new metaphors for change to help congregations break out
of outmoded attitudes and assumptions; Describes the nature of spiritual
leadership necessary to grow spiritual giants that will change the face of the
cultural forest. Abingdon Press. 1997, $ 12.95,210 pp.
HOW TO START A NEW SERVICE by Charles Arn. A guide
to starting a new style worship service. Baker Books, 1997, $18.00, 258 pp.
THE INVITING CHURCH, A Study of New Member Assimilation by
Roy Oswald and Speed Leas. Based on careful research, includes inventories a
congregation can use to improve its welcoming ministry and assimilation of new
members. Alban Institute, $1 2.25, 11 3pp.
MOVING OFF THE MAP. A Field Guide to Changing the Congregation. by
Thomas Bandy. To answer the questions “Where do we begin?” And “Exactly how do
we change?”, this book provides practical tools for identifying a congregations
strengths, weaknesses, and addictions. Abingdon Press, 1998, $1 8.00, 278 pp.
RAVING FANS : A REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH TO CUSTOMER SERVICE by Kenneth Blanchard. This “business” book has a lot
to say to new member ministry committees. $20.00.
RECLAIMING THE GREAT COMMISSION by the Rt. Rev. Claude
Payne and Hamilton Beezley. A model for transforming denominations and
congregations. Jossey-Bass Press, $23.00.
A ROYAL
'WASTE' OF TIME : THE SPLENDOR OF WORSHIPING GOD AND BEING CHURCH FOR THE WORLD
by Marva J. Dawn. What is the place
of church today? Why do we belong? What do we offer? $18.00
THE SPECTACLE OF WORSHIP IN A WIRED WORLD, Electronic Culture and
the Gathered People of God by Tex Sample. A challenge to the church
to share the good news in the ways electronic generations think feel, approach
life, form relationships, and make commitments. Abingdon Press, $18.00.
TWELVE KEYS TO AN EFFECTIVE CHURCH. by
Kennon L. Callahan. Identifies characteristics of effective, growing churches
and shows how these can be developed in any church. HarperCollins Publishers,
$17.00, 127pp.
WELCOMING THE STRANGER, A Public Theology of Worship, and
Evangelism. by Patrick R. Keifert. Asserting that many congregations
misunderstand worship as a private family matter, this book grounds the
practice of evangelistic hospitality in sound biblical exegesis. Fortress
Press, $12.00, 1 7Qpp.
CHURCH SITES AND BUILDINGS by the Episcopal Church
Building Fund. A process guide for congregations undertaking a building repair,
renovation, or new building project. This workbook will help you to determine
what you can afford, to organize your planning process, and to identify the
architectural implications of your future ministries. Available from the ECBF,
$1 5.00, 5Opp. (1-800-334-7626, http://www.ecbf.org/)
A CHURCH FOR COMMON PRAYER. A Statement on Worship Space for the
Episcopal Church. by the Episcopal Church Building Fund.
The statement on worship space design for the Episcopal Church, this document
of text and photos provides theological as well as pragmatic insights for
developing the space where we celebrate our faith as the people of God.
Available from ECBF, $5.00, 32pp.(800-334-7626, http://www.ecbf.org/)
Video: CHURCHES FOR COMMON PRAYER.
Buildings for the Liturgical Assembly, by the Episcopal Church Building Fund. A
video tour of two church buildings, one new and one traditional building which
has been renovated, which depict sound liturgical design, the benefits of
flexible space, and how to make a building inviting to visitors. Available from
the ECBF, $29.95, 19 mm., VHS. (1-800-334-7626, http://www.ecbf.org/)
WHEN NOT TO BUILD. An Architect’s Unconventional Wisdom for the
Growing Church. by Ray Bowman. Designed to help churches avoid unnecessary
building, this book discusses ways to assess real space needs, how to get more
without building, and how to assess if building will solve your church growth
problems. Baker Book House, $12.00, 1 50pp.
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS FOR HISTORIC CHURCHES AND
SYNAGOGUES, by Peggy Powell Dean. Overview of the capital campaign process
for congregations. Takes a fundraising committee through all the stages of a
capital campaign; features ideas for committee structure, finding donors, and
soliciting funds. Process easily adjusted to suit buildings that are not
historic landmarks. Available from Partners for Sacred Places, 161 6 Walnut
St., Suite 2310, Philadelphia, PA 19103, (1-212-567-3234, http://www.sacredplaces.org/)
$55.00, 1 8 Bpp.
INSPECTING AND MAINTAINING RELIGIOUS PROPERTIES, by
the NY Conservancy. Addresses the inspection and maintenance of the roof,
walls, and drainage systems; provides guidelines for organizing records and
implementing a maintenance program. Available from the New York Landmarks
Conservancy, 141 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010 (1-212-995-5260), $20.25.
Alban Institute Continuing education courses,
consultation services, and publications for congregations and those serving the
church (cross denominational). Publications catalog available (1-800-486-1318).
http://www.alban.org/
Our continuing mission is to provide you with new research-based
information and new ways to learn and
minister more effectively within and outside your faith community. The Institute
encourages dialogue with many traditions, people of diverse ethnicity, men and
women, large and small congregations, and those in urban and rural settings.
American Bible Society. Producer of A Father and Two Sons VIDEO
and CD-ROM. award winning MTV quality depiction of the Prodigal Son, crafted
for the Gen X audience, (1-800-322-4253). Video $9.95, CD-ROM $29.95. http://www.americanbible.org/
Episcopal Ad Project, Catalog available (1-800-331-9391 or http://www.churchad.com/ ). Produces advertising manual, posters,
cards, direct mail ideas for evangelism using contemporary media. Terrific resource for advertising once
you are ready to grow. Some organizational resources and links to other church
oriented advertising web sites. Check out some of the illustrated posters and
ad campaigns. They are great!
Episcopal Book and Resource Center Many
of the aforementioned books may be ordered from the bookstore at the Episcopal
Church Center (1-800-334-7626). http://www.dxmarket.com/ebrc/
EPISCOPAL CHURCH BUILDING FUND Full of resources. More
than a loan organization. Click on “Get
Smart” for a laugh and some great advice. http://www.ecbf.org/mater.html
Episcopal Resource Catalog. Morehouse Publishing.
Lists the full variety of resources from books to embroidery created or supplied
by the program units of the Episcopal Church Center (1-800-903-5544) http://members.truepath.com/churchsew/resource/resource.htm
Faith Communities Today http://fact.hartsem.edu/.
This is the summary of a huge Lilly Endowment data collection on religious
groups “today”. Spend some time chewing through this pile on line.
Friends of the Groom Friends of the Groom is a theater group
committed to proclaiming the Christian message with a unique blend of humor,
story, challenging content, and scenes that are hard to forget. http://home.cinci.rr.com/cooksey/
L.E.A.D. Consultants, Inc..
Continuing education training in a wide variety of leadership areas: conflict
management, facilitating change, neuro-linguistic programming, calling and
caring ministry. (Dr. John Savage,
614-864-0156). http://www.leadinc.com/
Miller and Associates, Inc.. Educational
consultants offering customized support and development for leaders, congregations,
diocese, and other organizations. (Susan Miller, http://www.smiller.com/
. 904-249-5442).
PERCEPT, Compiles demographic, ethnographic, and
life style information within a defined radius of your church site. Useful to
those wishing to reach the unchurched, plan a parallel development, or those
planting of a new church
(1-800-422-6277, http://www.perceptnet.com/
)
SEMINARY TRAINING Most of the Episcopal Seminaries now
offer continuing education and degree programs in congregational development.