Today's Vital Church: Proven Ways to Strengthen Your Church and Its Leaders

By Chris Bolinger and Chris Bolinger

When my church was struggling, we had no idea that a church in a neighboring community was going through a similar experience. We had no idea that ANY church was going through a similar experience. We felt on our own, and we had no idea what to do. If your church is struggling, then this book will provide ideas for what to do. If your church is holding its own, but you want to see it become more effective at fulfilling the Great Commission, then this book will provide ideas for what to do. If your church is doing well but having difficulty moving past a growth barrier, then this book will provide ideas for what to do. These ideas are not my ideas. They are practical, proven approaches from experts such as: Pastor Drew Carroll, who led a church in crisis through a turnaround Pastor Jason Haymaker, who led a church through a growth from 150 to over 700 members David Murrow, author of the best-selling book Why Men Hate Going to Church Church growth expert Charles Arn, author of the book Side Door Shane Sooter, founder of City on a Hill Productions and producer of the feature film The Song Dan Scarrow, Director of Leadership Development for the Central District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance David Derry, a former pastor and current Ministry Advisor for FamilyLife The expert advice is provided around three topics: 1. Revitalizing and growing your church 2. Improving your church's evangelism 3. Improving your church's communications Part One begins with Drew Carroll discussing first steps in revitalizing a church, even a church that has been devastated by major conflict and a mass exodus. Next, Jason Haymaker discusses strategic changes to break through growth barriers. Jason also discusses how a pastor can stay the course, even when things get tough. Dan Scarrow then discusses how your church can develop leaders, both staff members and volunteers. Part Two opens with Charles Arn introducing an innovative way to reach people in your community: "side doors." David Murrow then explains why many men are reluctant to attend church and how your church can make targeted changes to reach men and, through them, families. Next, David Derry explores how churches can reach couples, including couples whose marriages are struggling. Part Two concludes with Shane Sooter (and me) explaining how to reach youth through media, specifically video production. Shane Sooter returns in Part Three to explain how your church can improve its communications through effective use of media, especially during the worship service. Drew Carroll, a pastor who also serves as his church's webmaster, discusses how to use the Web and social media to reach people in your community. Jason Haymaker closes the section with a discussion of choosing the right communications vehicles for different audiences."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1517179157
• ISBN13: 9781517179151
• Release Date: September 2015
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 142 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.3" x 6.0"