I recently started serving as pastor of a typical church: aging, dwindling attendance and finances, and some low morale. I've heard how the Sunday School rooms used to be bursting with children and how the sanctuary would be full on Sunday mornings.
Hoo-boy, there's a lot to be done here. I felt excited by the prospect of serving here yet daunted by the task ahead. Where to begin?
Among the answers I seemingly got from the Holy Spirit was Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore.I've read several books and articles, and I've gone to many workshops on helping church leaders re-think the way we do church for our current ailing situation, and I've found them helpful and important. But how do I get leaders in the congregation to come together and wrestle with the issues in meaningful ways?
I can tell you one way I'm going to try it: studying this book with them.
Thom and Joani helpfully lay out the four biggest reasons why people don't go to church and counter them with four ways we can respond with love. With each chapter that explains what each variation of love is and isn't is a follow-up chapter on ways the congregation can begin putting those loving ideas into practice. I see this being a resource our leaders can read, understand, and then dream together of ways we can put them into practice. A task that once felt daunting (helping turn around an aging congregation), now feels like a challenge we can work with. Thanks!
While I enjoyed the many references to Life Tree Cafe, I started to find the sheer volume of stories about them a bit off-putting...like this was some sort of commercial for that product. And yet, I also have to say I'd like to give Life Tree a go.
I think I'll have our leaders order a copy of the book, while I'm excited to get the interactive version for my Kindle Fire and watch the various videos and bonus pieces that come with it. I bet I can use those in our study group, too.
Thanks, Thom and Joani, for your dedication and commitment to helping churches thrive.
Peace,
Doc Newcomb
Pastor
Addison, IL --Doc Newcomb, Pastor
An incredible book! I've read so many books that diagnose the illnesses of the church and serve up platitudes without real solutions. Thom and Joani certainly point out our condition, but do so in a way that often causes one to chuckle in a familial way. The authors give clear workable and biblical answers. This is a book for the times. Thank You! --Daniel Johnson