Ten Dumb Things Churches Do: And How to Avoid Them

By Philip Wiehe

Ten Dumb Things Churches Do is about making the system we call the local church into one that truly reflects what we believe the body of Christ is supposed to be--a community that exemplifies the gospel through its life together and its presence in the world. Knowing when we've done that, however, is difficult to measure. A business makes money, the Red Cross provides emergency relief, and a symphony orchestra makes beautiful music. But what exactly is the church supposed to do and how should it do that? Based on his years as an Episcopal priest and church consultant, Philip Wiehe writes here about the church as it is today and how we will need to retrofit it to fulfill its mission in the years to come. Along the way he exposes ten dumb things--traps that churches often fall into, including: being too business-like or not business-like enough; failing to do strategic planning; falling into the mission statement trap; making decisions poorly; internal turf wars; being confused about identity; and others. Written in an engaging and accessible style, Wiehe provides clergy and lay leaders of congregations with specific steps for undoing the messes they find themselves in, or even avoiding them altogether.-- (9/30/2019 12:00:00 AM)

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0819218758
• ISBN13: 9780819218759
• Release Date: October 2001
• Publisher: Morehouse Publishing
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.2" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

holding up a mirror

Well written. Helpfully organized. This book will give the reader a lot of food for thought. It will be easy to recognize the mistakes that a church is making. It will be equally easy to attribute these mistakes to other people and overlook one's own participation. Written with a light touch & humor, which helps the medicine go down. Worth the read, definitely!

Straight to the point ...

Written by a knowledgeable author that understands church dynamics. Very practical advice. Good perspective. Real.

informative but nothing close to boring

What a great book! Wiehe speaks from a great amount of experience as he creates a walk through some familiar, but always awkward situations. Addressing everything from clergy burnout to triangulation to being afraid to say no to the old woman who runs the kitchen, this book deals straight up with the challenges that keep so many churches in the doldrums. It is also entertaining reading - with stories and anecdotes to make you laugh while also making you think. Coming directly from an expert, this book is a must-have for anyone working for a church!