Kennon Callahan, Twelve Keys to an Effective Church: Strong, Healthy Congregations Living in the Grace of God, 2nd Edition. Jossey-Bass, 2010.
Referenced in: Strategies for Congregational Renewal: Diagnostic/Prescriptive
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
First published in 1983, Callahan’s guide is still one of the most widely recommended texts on church development. It is a highly practical planning model, written by one who is contagiously passionate about churches becoming more mission focused. The Twelve Keys approach emerged out of Callahan’s many years of experience as a church consultant, and has been both confirmed and refined through thousands of churches and fellow-consultants whom Callahan has trained through his organization, the Missional Leaders Network.
The essence of the Callahan approach is the actual twelve keys or characteristics of thriving churches, which are listed below:
Relational Characteristics – the sources of satisfaction in congregations:
- Specific, concrete missional objectives
- Pastoral and lay visitation
- Corporate, dynamic worship
- Significant relational groups
- Strong leadership resources
- Streamlined structure and solid, participatory decision making
Functional Characteristics – if these are not in place, are the source of dissatisfaction in churches:
- Several competent programs and activities
- Open accessibility
- High visibility
- Adequate parking, land, and landscaping
- Adequate space and facilities
- Solid financial resources
As one can see, this method assumes an established church seeking to increase its effectiveness. Churches may use Callahan’s assessment and planning tools to form a master long-range plan, and then continue with his materials to conduct periodic evaluations. He suggests a helpful rhythm that has given renewed life thousands of congregations: claiming current strengths, expanding some, and then adding others.
I find myself returning frequently to the Callahan approach, even if I do not always adopt the same twelve keys. This is for several reasons. One, Callahan is by far one of today’s most seasoned observers of church life, and is a highly sought-after church consultant and speaker. Dr. Callahan blends scholarship and experience into reflections that may be enjoyed by both scholar-practitioners and self-made ministers alike. His writings are a rich depository of congregational intelligence. Two, the hopeful, visionary, and challenging tone of his writings has a rare motivational quality that will inspire church leaders of all “stripes,” whether traditional, attractional (church growth), or missional. Those who look at keys such as “parking, land, and landscaping” and pull away thinking this is just another celebration of “bodies, buildings, and budgets” will miss out on the gems of church wisdom found only in Callahan. If Callahan addresses a topic, all church leaders need to hear him.
One of the greatest benefits of the Twelve Keys approach is that Callahan has authored several complementary volumes. Some of these are listed below.
- Kennon Callahan, Twelve Keys to an Effective Church, The Planning Workbook: Strategic Planning for Mission, Revised Edition. Jossey-Bass, 1997 (off-site). Each person contributes directly to creating an effective long range plan for your future together.
- Kennon Callahan, Twelve Keys to an Effective Church, The Leader’s Guide. Jossey-Bass, 1997 (off-site). How to lead your congregation in developing an effective plan for your future. How to develop action, implementation, and momentum. Dealing with the dynamics of memory, change, conflict, and hope.
- Kennon Callahan, Twelve Keys, The Study Guide: Strategic Planning for Mission. Jossey-Bass, 1997 (off-site). An excellent bible study of the Twelve Keys, with helpful resources and solid discussion possibilities.
- Kennon Callahan, Effective Church Leadership: Building on the Twelve Keys. Jossey-Bass, 1997 (on-site). The foundational life searches. Seven best ways to grow leaders. Develop a constructive leadership environment.
- Kennon Callahan, Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church: A Guide for Every Member. Jossey-Bass, 1997 (on-site). Grow generous givers. Motivations out of which people give. Primary sources of giving. Principles of giving.
- Kennon Callahan, Effective Church Finances: Fund-Raising and Budgeting for Churches. Jossey-Bass, 1997 (on-site). Develop an effective budget, set solid giving goals, and increase the giving of your congregation.
- Kennon Callahan, Dynamic Worship – Mission, Grace, Praise, and Power: A Manual For Strengthening the Worship Life of Twelve Keys Congregations. Harper One, 1994 (off-site). Major resources for stirring, inspiring worship services, helpful and hopeful in advancing people’s lives.
- Kennon Callahan, Building for Effective Mission: A Complete Guide for Congregations on Brick and Mortar Issues. Jossey-Bass, 1997 (on-site). Develop your mission. Evaluate locations. Maximize current facilities. Building new space. Create an effective building team. Selecting an architect. Develop an extraordinary first year.
- Kennon Callahan, Visiting in an Age of Mission: A Handbook for Person-to-Person Ministry. Jossey- Bass, 1997 (on-site). Develop shepherding in your congregation. Groupings to shepherd and the variety of ways you can do so.
- Kennon Callahan, Preaching Grace: Possibilities for Growing Your Preaching and Touching People’s Lives. Jossey-Bass, 1999 (off-site). Pastors develop an approach to preaching that matches their own distinctive gifts.
- Kennon Callahan, The Future that Has Come: The Possibilities for Reaching and Growing the Grass Roots. Jossey-Bass, 2002 (off-site). The seven major paradigm shifts of recent years; new possibilities for reaching and growing the grassroots.
- Kennon Callahan, Small, Strong Congregations. Jossey-Bass, 2000 (on-site). Ministers, leaders, and members of small congregations develop a strong, healthy future together.
- Kennon Callahan, A New Beginning for Pastors and Congregations: Building an Excellent Match Upon Your Shared Strengths. Jossey-Bass, 1999 (on-site). What to do in the first three months of a new pastorate; how to make a new start in a present pastorate.
From the Publisher
A thoroughly revised and updated edition of one of the most trusted and authoritative strategic resources for church leaders
In this second edition of his groundbreaking book, Kennon Callahan identifies the twelve essential qualities of successful, growing churches and offers all congregations a way to unlock their potential for effective ministry. The Twelve Keys program balances practical planning with theological understanding to help churches function more effectively as they seek to grow and better serve their members.
- Shows church leaders how to claim and expand upon their church’s strengths and become a mission growth congregation
- Explores each of the twelve keys in depth, from mission to visitation to worship to relationships to programs to details of facilities maintenance
- Based on a time-tested approach that has been used by hundreds of thousands of churches
- Now incorporates the planning guide (previously a separate publication)
The book includes solid, practical guidelines and tools to help any church become a strong, healthy congregation.
About the Author
Kennon L. Callahan, B.A., M.Div., S.T.M., Ph.D. — researcher, professor, and pastor — is one of today’s most sought-after church consultants and speakers. Author of many books, he is best known for his groundbreaking Twelve Keys to an Effective Church, which has formed the basis for the widely acclaimed Mission Growth Movement.
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