Peter Block, Community: The Structure of Belonging. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2009. Companion volume: Block, The Answer to How Is Yes Referenced in: Strategies for Church Renewal – Whole Systems, Large Group LifeandLeadership.com Summary This book discusses Appreciative Inquiry (AI), a Whole Systems approach to organizational renewal that has been useful in many churches. Though not addressed
Jane McGruder-Watkins and Bernard J. Mohr, Appreciative Inquiry: Change at the Speed of Imagination. Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer, 2001. Referenced in: Strategies for Church Renewal – Whole Systems, Large Group LifeandLeadership.com Summary This book discusses Appreciative Inquiry (AI), a Whole Systems approach to organizational renewal that has been useful in many churches. Like other sources on AI, the
Mark Lau Branson, Memories, Hopes, and Conversations: Appreciative Inquiry and Congregational Change. Alban Institute, 2004. Referenced in: Strategies for Church Renewal – Whole Systems, Large Group LifeandLeadership.com Summary Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a Whole Systems approach to congregational renewal that has been useful in churches. Branson has provided the best available introduction and overview of
Marvin Weisbord and Sandra Jannoff, Future Search: Getting the Whole System in the Room for Vision, Commitment, and Action, 3rd Edition. Berrett-Koehler, 2010. Referenced in: Strategies for Church Renewal – Whole Systems, Large Group LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is one of several Whole-Systems approaches to congregational renewal. The publisher’s description below is a good summary. For
Loren B. Mead and Billie T. Alban, Creating the Future Together: Methods to Inspire Your Whole Faith Community. Alban Institute, 2008. Referenced in: Strategies for Church Renewal – Whole Systems/Large Group LifeandLeadership.com Summary Mead and Alban suggest that most resources on congregational planning encourage collaboration among various small-group task forces using a number of assessment
Bruce Miller, Your Church in Rhythm: The Forgotten Dimensions of Seasons and Cycles (Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series). Jossey-Bass, 2011. Referenced in: Strategies for Congregational Renewal – Seasonal, Rhythmic LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is not a new approach to church development. Instead, it offers a philosophy to help leaders choose the model that may be more life-giving,
Dave Browning, Deliberate Simplicity: How the Church Does More by Doing Less. Leadership Network Innovation Series. Zondervan, 2009. Referenced in: Strategies for Congregational Renewal – Simple, Minimalist LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is an updated version of a Browning’s 2006 version by the same title. It is based on his experience with Christ the King Community Church
Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger, Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples. B and H Books, 2006. Referenced in: Strategies for Church Renewal: Disciple-Making Strategies for Church Renewal: Simple, Minimalist LifeandLeadership.com Summary Thom Rainer is probably America’s leading researcher on effective congregational life. Here he teams with Eric Geiger. They write about the
Charles Halley, The Heart of the Matter: Changing the World God’s Way (TCP Leadership Series). Chalice Press, 2006. Referenced in: Strategies for Church Renewal – Diagnostic/Prescriptive, Disciple-Making Strategies for Church Renewal – Integrated Spiritual/Strategic LifeandLeadership.com Summary This excellent resource distills the insight of a seasoned minister and business executive who came to the realization that
Colin Marshall and Tony Payne, The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Shift That Changes Everything. Matthias Media, 2009. Referenced in: Strategies for Church Renewal: Diagnostic/Prescriptive – Disciple-Making LifeandLeadership.com Summary This volume may not be as familiar to many readers, and is mainly available through its Australian publisher, Matthias Media. Nevertheless, it receives rave reviews
