There's Hope for Your Church: First steps to restoring health and growth by Gary L. McIntosh is the author's fifth book specifically dealing with church growth and revitalization among the 20 books he has authored. Peppered with a significant amount of thoughtful advice for the pastor seeking to revitalize a congregation, there seems to be an underlying philosophy of pastoral ministry that not will not be amenable to all readers.
McIntosh clearly states his purpose is to provide pastors (usually a solo pastor of a struggling congregation) with a practical step-by-step approach to church revitalization that will give them confidence and direction. He quickly acknowledges the messy reality will happen in a logical (ie. step-by-step) fashion, but for purposes of structuring the book, he will walk through an organized process. The process set forth does indeed consider all the significant markers in the journey from a dying church to one that is renewing. Though there is nothing particularly new in McIntosh's perspective, it is thorough with real-to-life examples.
In his examples, McIntosh provides reality and practicality. While direct, he is generally gracious in the tone and attitude necessary for the pastor have be successful in the process. However, one specific quote clearly expressed the underlying philosophy of pastoral ministry that McIntosh and a growing number of church revitalization/church growth authors espouse: that the pastor is the "CEO" of the church.
In a discussion of raising up new leaders (as opposed to an "older/status quo coalition"), McIntosh says, "At the least, as the pastor, you should have veto power over who is selected for any board, committee, or church position" (p. 92). The rest of the paragraph shows the gracious, yet direct tone that is consistent in the book, yet this one sentence, hints to this reader of an underlying philosophy of ministry that is needs to be balanced with the NT church expectation of plurality of elders (church leaders). While recognizing there may be a denominational history from which this writer is most familiar, the pastor as CEO (ie veto power on committee membership) does not seem to be supported Scripturally, by most (if any) analysis of the early church leadership.
To clarify, I believe the pastor should have full authority in the daily operation of the church, making the necessary management as well as pastoral decisions (what to preach, who to visit, new members, etc). Yet McIntosh's statement is consistent with the rest of the book in a "lack of humility" or "sense of partnership" (those are the closest phrases I can find to describe it) between the elders elected/appointed in a congregation with whom the pastor/paid elder works.
I believe McIntosh does accomplish his purpose and provide a thoughtful, practical, helpful guide. Nonetheless, this one underlying philosophical assumption may make it difficult for some to read or practice if others do not share this approach to ministry.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker
Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your
favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Book Review - I Am Second by Doug Bender & Dave Sterrett
This is a testimony book. As the subtitle "Real Stories Changing Lives" indicates, I am Second, contains 20 testimonies from individuals from various aspects of life, most of them common everyday citizens like us, though a few of them are recognizable names in their field (eg. Josh Hamilton, baseball; Brian "Head" Welch, music). The authors tell the story of how each individual seemingly had everything but realized that until they put Jesus Christ first in their life and their personal agenda second, they were going to be empty.
Each story was interesting enough on its own and most were enjoyable to read. Because the testimonies covered a variety of personal backgrounds and experiences, readers would connect with some stories more than others.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of the book was the "Watch the Film" section at the end of each chapter, identifying an online "film" version of the testimony along with 2-3 other testimonies of individuals in similar walks of life. The print version was not a text version of the "film" though there was significant overlap in the couple of samples I viewed. The www.iamsecond.com website would be a useful companion for those wanting to see more or refer a friend, though it could also cause the book to be redundant. Most of the under 40 age group (at least) would probably prefer to simply watch the online testimonies.
The above discussion is one reason I find it hard to recommend the book, when one can access the "films" for free. The writing is acceptable but certainly not compelling or extra informative. I am Second is a good book, yet nothing is especially exemplary.
Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson.
Each story was interesting enough on its own and most were enjoyable to read. Because the testimonies covered a variety of personal backgrounds and experiences, readers would connect with some stories more than others.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of the book was the "Watch the Film" section at the end of each chapter, identifying an online "film" version of the testimony along with 2-3 other testimonies of individuals in similar walks of life. The print version was not a text version of the "film" though there was significant overlap in the couple of samples I viewed. The www.iamsecond.com website would be a useful companion for those wanting to see more or refer a friend, though it could also cause the book to be redundant. Most of the under 40 age group (at least) would probably prefer to simply watch the online testimonies.
The above discussion is one reason I find it hard to recommend the book, when one can access the "films" for free. The writing is acceptable but certainly not compelling or extra informative. I am Second is a good book, yet nothing is especially exemplary.
Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson.
Friday, July 06, 2012
"No Byproducts" - a healthy label?
Preamble: After the community playtime with the children, my wife stopped by her parents' home to get a few things and phoned to let me know they would home in a few minutes. She also asked me to get the hot dogs out of the freezer and start them cooking, and I agreed. As I opened the package to put them into the soon-to-be boiling water, I noticed the label "no byproducts." I think for hot dogs, this is supposed to be an indicator of their healthiness. But as I got to thinking, I hope the same could not be said of my life and ministry.
My definition of the word "byproduct" would be: a beneficial and unintended outcome of an endeavor." The end of a school year is a good time to reflect upon this question: were there any byproducts from your life? The stated goal was to educate students in a given subject(s), yet more than just academic learning, there are also various other outcomes, some intended (socialization, team work skills, Christian worldview, etc) and yet others that "just happen"; things that are byproducts that a teacher could not have planned or expected. One of the many reasons I count it a privilege to be involved in Christian Education is because we are explicit and intentional about the various outcomes we hope to achieve: cognitively, socially, and spiritually. Most other educational institutions only state the academic outcomes when the other outcomes are always taught.
If there are no byproducts from my day - never mind my month or year - I am disappointed. Perhaps there are some days where there are no visible byproducts. I'm beginning to realize more and more as a parent that pretty much everything (eg. facial look, word, action, non-action) communicates a message. Whether it is consistent from one hour to the next is the question, and that (in)consistency has another byproduct for the child. Not just in parenting, but in so many areas of life, there are so many byproducts, many of which we may never know about.
I believe the Scripture speaks clearly to the fact that our life will always be a witness, whether it is for Christ or against Christ. It seems to me that while the label "no byproduct" might be good on hot dogs, it certainly should not apply to the follower of Jesus (Matthew 7:16-20; Luke 6:43-45; James 2:14-18).
My definition of the word "byproduct" would be: a beneficial and unintended outcome of an endeavor." The end of a school year is a good time to reflect upon this question: were there any byproducts from your life? The stated goal was to educate students in a given subject(s), yet more than just academic learning, there are also various other outcomes, some intended (socialization, team work skills, Christian worldview, etc) and yet others that "just happen"; things that are byproducts that a teacher could not have planned or expected. One of the many reasons I count it a privilege to be involved in Christian Education is because we are explicit and intentional about the various outcomes we hope to achieve: cognitively, socially, and spiritually. Most other educational institutions only state the academic outcomes when the other outcomes are always taught.
If there are no byproducts from my day - never mind my month or year - I am disappointed. Perhaps there are some days where there are no visible byproducts. I'm beginning to realize more and more as a parent that pretty much everything (eg. facial look, word, action, non-action) communicates a message. Whether it is consistent from one hour to the next is the question, and that (in)consistency has another byproduct for the child. Not just in parenting, but in so many areas of life, there are so many byproducts, many of which we may never know about.
I believe the Scripture speaks clearly to the fact that our life will always be a witness, whether it is for Christ or against Christ. It seems to me that while the label "no byproduct" might be good on hot dogs, it certainly should not apply to the follower of Jesus (Matthew 7:16-20; Luke 6:43-45; James 2:14-18).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)