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 BREAKOUT CHURCHES by Thom S. Rainer, Zondervan ©2005 (ISBN 0-310-2545-X)
This book subtitled “discover how to make the leap” provides the stories of thirteen churches who have moved from stagnancy to growth and from mediocrity to greatness. The author, Thom S. Rainer is the founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth. In this book, he and his research team provide both principles and examples showing how pastors and key leaders can help their churches break out of the status quo into unprecedented fruitfulness. One of the thirteen churched featured is a C&MA church from the Cleveland Ohio area.
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COMEBACK CHURCHES by Ed Stetzer and Mike Dobson, B&H Publishing Group ©2007 (ISBN: 978-0-8054-4536-7)
“We don’t want our church to die” seems to be the cry of many church attendees today. With so many churches currently in a stagnant or declining phase where can leaders go to find solid help on how their church can be revitalized and literally begin impacting their community? Well, Comeback Churches would be a great place to begin! Here, based on scriptural support and through research on more than 300 formerly declining congregations from multiple denominations, including the C&MA, readers will discover valid principles on what it takes to revitalize a weakened, declining local body of believers today. This book is well researched and well written. It is a must read for pastors and key lay-leaders who desire to see their church move beyond the status quo.
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 FROM EMBERS TO A FLAME by Harry L. Reeder III, P&R Publishing ©2004 (ISBN 978-1-59638-046-2)
The subtitle “How God Can Revitalize Your Church” identifies what this book is all about. Dr. Reeder, pastor, seminary professor and conference speaker presents a clear biblically based paradigm for local church revitalization. The author alerts the reader to potential problems, helps them to recognize weaknesses and opportunities then guides them in applying biblical strategies for rekindling the flame of godly church growth. For more information to Embers web site.
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 HEALING THE HEART OF YOUR CHURCH by Dr. Kenneth Quick, ChurchSmart ©2003 (ISBN 1-889638-43-9)
What would Jesus say to your church? What would be his commendations, his challenges, his correctives? In an environment where ideas about church growth dominate the landscape, Dr. Kenneth Quick’s book, Healing the Heart of Your Church addresses the underlying issues of church health.
He suggests our efforts to implement vision can be undercut by unresolved conflict and pain in the history of a local church. Often it is not until the pain is healed and the patterns of sinful behavior addressed that outward progress can be made. The book helps pastors and leaders exegete the church they serve and provides remedies for what they discover.
Do you feel as if something is holding your church back but you can’t quite put your finger on it? Do you find yourself running up against unseen walls? Are you hanging on to your ministry by a thread? Do you desire to see real and long-standing healing for your church? Find out what Jesus is saying to your church. This book will help. Go to Top
 LEADING FROM THE SECOND CHAIR by Mike Bonem & Roger Patterson, Jossey-Bass, A Leadership Network Publication © 2005 (ISBN 0-7879-7739-X)
This is a great resource for individuals serving in a multi-staff situation; especially those who serve in a subordinate role to a lead pastor yet have a unique place of leadership in their own right. The subtitle says it well “Serving Your Church, Fulfilling Your Role and Realizing Your Dream.” While the authors, two seasoned parishioners, reveal the paradoxes of “second chair” leadership they also offer counsel and practical advice for equipping “second chair” leaders “with the positive attitudes, skills, and strategies needed to become powerful leaders who will survive and thrive in God’s service.”
While specifically addressing “second chair” leaders, the book contains valuable insights and information for any lead pastor who desires to build a healthy, fruitful ministry team.
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 LEADING TURNAROUND CHURCHES by Gene Wood ©2001 ChurchSmart Resources (ISBN 1-889638-21-8)
Who will lead the plateaued church to growth? Who will lead the dying church to revitalization? Who will lead the sick church to health? In his book Leading Turnaround Churches, Rev. Gene Wood stresses the overwhelming need the American church has for turnaround leaders. The author warns, however, that leading a turnaround church is not for the faint hearted. Turnaround leaders are willing to pay the price for positive change and are convinced that God has called them to win the lost, build the saints, equip the workers, and multiply godly leaders. Many of the insights shared in this book will be helpful for the pastor whose church is in the valley or on the mountaintop. Some of the principles shared include:
- Characteristics of turnaround leaders
- Questions a leader must ask to assess their turnaround potential
- Scenarios that contribute to a stagnant and declining church
- Obstacles to change
- Necessary components for a compelling vision
- How to deal with difficult and divisive parishioners
- The problem with the power struggle
- Tips to become a more disciplined leader
The author is quick to note that a turnaround church can’t be guaranteed by reading his book, but states that he is “…confident these principles provide workable guidance for navigating the treacherous task of bringing life and vitality to your church.”
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 MAKING DISCIPLES JESUS’ WAY by Doug Greenwold, Bible-In-Context Ministries ©2005
It stands to reason that we will never have healthy churches if we do not have healthy disciples. In his book Making Disciples Jesus’ Way, Wisdom We Have Missed, the author, former Teaching Fellow at the C.S. Lewis Institute in Washing, D.C., takes a serious look at what it meant to be a disciple in Jesus days on earth. He believes that “context tells the rest of the story” and proceeds to address “Missing Perspectives,” Missing Patterns” and “Missing Pieces” in taking a deeper look at this thing we call discipleship. This is definitely a challenging, helpful and worthwhile study.
To order direct email: Doug Greenwold
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 NATURAL CHURCH DEVELOPMENT – A Guide to Eight Essential Qualities of Healthy Churches by Christian A. Schwartz, ChurchSmart ©1996 (ISBN 1-889638-00-5)
Through careful, worldwide research the author confirms the fact that there is definitely a link between church health (quality) and church growth (quantity). The reader will discover eight biblically based, essential quality characteristics leading to church growth. Robert Logan, a noted church planting and growth movement leader, says it well, “You will find through ‘Natural Church Development’ a greater understanding of God wants his church to grow” and “how to release the growth potential within your church.”
For more information on Natural Church Development, available survey and available assistance please contact the District Church Health Office at 704.543.0470.
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 OUTGROWING THE INGROWN CHURCH by C. John Miller, Zondervan © 1999 (ISBN 0-310-28411-2)
Through personal experience and biblical principle John Miller calls the church, both pastor and people, back to the true missionary purpose of the church. Speaking from pastoral experience the author states “They (his congregation) had lost touch with the whole idea of the lostness of their neighbors and friends and had more of a fear of strangers than anything else.” While originally written in the late 1980’s this book was reprinted in 1999 and remains a quality read for church leaders who desire to see their churches break free from complacency and a mere inward-focused mentality. Readers will be challenged, individually and collectively, to return to the biblical basics of Spirit empowered life and ministry. Definitely a heart searching read.
Each chapter concludes with an “Action Steps” section that could serve as a great discuss starter for pastors and leaders wanting to use this as a group study.
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 SIMPLE CHURCH by Thom Rainer & Eric Geiger, Broadman & Holman Publishers©2006 (ISBN 978-0-8054-4390-8)
Simple Church calls pastors and local church leaders back to the main thing – making disciples at every age-level. Its subtitle says it well: “Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples.” Is it possible that we have become so content with providing good programs, meaningful activities and exciting events that we are missing the main thing – transformed lives? Are we content with simply keeping our church calendars full of good things or do we really long to see lives changed? Is our ultimate goal busyness or fruitfulness?
Through biblical instruction and valid research on how “Simple” and “Not-So-Simple” churches function, church leaders are called back to the basics of church ministry. They discover how “Simple” churches thrive by taking four concepts to heart: Clarity > Movement > Alignment > Focus.
Simple Church is not just another model to follow or a new program to implement. It offers clear principles that will help a church of any size return to the basics – the main thing – that God has called them to do – make disciples.
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 THE CHURCH OF IRRESISTIBLE INFLUENCE by Robert Lewis, Zondervan ©2001 (ISBN 0-310-25015-3)
Can you imagine people in the community where your church is located talking about how good it is to have a church like yours in their community? Can you imagine your community actually changing as a direct result of the influence of your people truly serving that community in Jesus’ name? Through the metaphor of a bridge Robert Lewis, pastor-author, tells the stories, shares the experiences, and reveals the lessons learned as the church he serves began to engage their community for the cause of Christ. No, it wasn’t easy. It often took them out of their comfort zone. But after all, as the author states; “The church does not exist for the sake of the church. It exists for the sake of the world.”
From this stimulating and encouraging book readers will discover what it takes to reconnect with their community, learn the how-to’s of “incarnational bridge building” to their community and read first hand testimonies of how God used the gifts, talents and skills of everyday Christians to see their community change to the glory of God. If you would like to learn more about how your church can become a church of irresistible Influence in your community, this is a must read book.
Each chapter concludes with a “Bridge Builders Questions” section that will challenge you and your leaders to serious think through the issues addressed.
Discover additional helps and resources on how the power of incarnational bridge-building can impact your church and community by visiting www.fellowshipassociates.com.
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