Stan Toler's Practical Guide for Pastoral Ministry (Stan Toler's Practical Guides) Review

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Stan Toler's Practical Guide for Pastoral Ministry (Stan Toler's Practical Guides) ReviewDr. Toler is no longer pastoring a church, but in the Summer of 2009 was elected to the position of General Superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene. He was elected in the 2009 General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene, held every 4 years. He is an excellent leader, speaker and fantastic writer! Any of the books he has authored will inspire and educate you in the things of God.Stan Toler's Practical Guide for Pastoral Ministry (Stan Toler's Practical Guides) Overview

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Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing: How Leaders Can Overcome Costly Mistakes Review

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Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing: How Leaders Can Overcome Costly Mistakes ReviewSo I am sure your first question is are there really only ten? If anything I bet Surratt really listed 10 big categories with tons of stupid ideas and mistakes that every church does. As a Campus Minister in campus ministry some of these mistakes are not so applicable yet still many are all too familiar. About a month ago Geoff Surratt offered a free copy of his most recent book "Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing" to the first 10 people responded. Whenever I see something free offered I always jump at it. I will read a book that has nothing to do with anything I care about and review it if it is free. Though I do not work for a church per se this book was still applicable in campus ministry to really have myself and our staff ask if there is anything we are doing to hinder the opportunity for growth.
The book breaks down 10 core areas where people in ministry hinder growth. Surratt refers to them as stupid because once you read his thoughts its easy to laugh how stupid they yet convicting at the same time when I see how I have done and still do some of these things in my area of ministry. The ten things that Surratt lists are

Leaders do it all
Establishing Wrong role for the pastor's family
Second rate worship experiences
Low quality children's ministry
Promoting talent over integrity
Clinging to bad location
Copying another Successful Church
Favor discipline over Reconciliation
Mixing ministry and Business
Letting committees steer the ship

Right off the bat I knew I would like this book when Geoff mentioned his love for diet coke. The stupid mistake that hit home with me the most was my control issue. The idea that I can lead everything and at a better level than others. As I type this it sounds ridiculous but it is so true. As I read the chapter on leaders doing it all I felt like a mirror was being held up to my face. Geoff really hit it home with me when he explained that the role of the leader is to equip those around us to do works of service (Ephesians 4). Doesn't sound too profound does it? When it became an "aha moment" to me was when he explained that when a leader does it all he is not just doing his biblical role because he or she is taking all the works of service. This has been a major humbling for me as I look at how I direct CCF. Humbling yes indeed but even more freeing than humbling.
Another strength of the books was Geoff's use of input from other great visionaries such as Perry Noble, Craig Groeschel, Mark Batterson and many others. This input through interviews at the end of each chapter was also very valuable. What makes this book different from many others is that it is not a blue print to be another Seacoast Church (where Geoff pastors). I feel like a lot of the time books on church planting and "success" are all about imitation. The most encouraging moment to me was when Geoff explained that without God's power and presence that no church has a chance at growth. Geoff even makes it clear that it is not about imitating other churches rather leading and how God has created you and your church to be under a God given vision not a Bill Hybells or Rick Warren vision. The good and the bad news is that this book does not tell you what to do rather gives you questions (at the end of each chapter) to examine your area of ministry and discuss as a staff. I am thankful for a book that does not give answers rather leaves you examining the way you lead your ministry and sends you to God for a clearer vision and the way to go about it.
http://michaelmears.com/2009/05/05/10-stupid-things-churches-do-geoff-surratt/Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing: How Leaders Can Overcome Costly Mistakes Overview

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The Purpose Driven Church: Every Church Is Big in God's Eyes Review

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The Purpose Driven Church: Every Church Is Big in God's Eyes ReviewI find it hard to rate this book accurately. I have read few books that have been more helpful in the realm of practical church life. Warren skillfully presents a blue-print on how to grow a healthy in church in which the five purposes (which are presented Biblically) of worship, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and evangelism are held in balance. The steps to take are practical and clear. Add to that a plethora of helpful common-sense tips to improving logistics in working with both the visitors and members of your church. This book is full of helpful ideas.
HOWEVER, the demerit of the book is its rather shallow Biblical basis. I believe that the five purposes Warren presents are biblical. I believe that the concept of moving people from membership to maturity to ministry to missions is biblical and very, very well developed. And I was impressed to see that Warren's church uses a church covenant and practices church discipline. I simply wish he had given a better biblical defense for these things. There are points where it seems like the author is taking Scripture out of context to defend a point - evidenced by his excessive use of paraphrases of Scripture. He should have used a literal translation and stuck to what the text actually says.
I also highly disagree with Warren's approach to music. He probably goes a bit overboard on the seeker-sensitive side of things, although I admit many of the things he says are non-moral, non-biblical, common-sense issues.
I was helped by reading this book. I have the sense to know that I can't apply everything Warren says in my own church culture and tradition, but there are some things any one can apply. I say, buy this book and read with discernment. As long as you don't make a Bible out of it, you will probably benefit greatly.The Purpose Driven Church: Every Church Is Big in God's Eyes Overview

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