Jeffrey D. Jones, Traveling Together: A Guide for Disciple-Forming Congregations. Alban Institute, 2005. Referenced in: Strategies for Church Renewal – Diagnostic/Prescriptive, Disciple-Making LifeandLeadership.com Summary Jones begins by surveying the marginalized state of today’s church alongside other characteristics of the “post” world that affect ministry. His essential message is that established ways of doing ministry simply
Greg Hawkins and Cally Parkinson, Reveal: Where Are You? Willow Creek Association, 2007. Companion volumes: Hawkins and Parkinson, Follow Me: What’s Next for You? Hawkins and Parkinson, Focus: The Top Ten Things People Want and Need from You and Your Church Hawkins and Parkinson, Move: What 1,000 Churches Reveal About Spiritual Growth Referenced in: Strategies
George Barna, Growing True Disciples: New Strategies for Producing Genuine Followers of Christ. Waterbrook Press, 2001. Referenced in: Strategies for Church Renewal: Diagnostic/Prescriptive – Disciple-Making LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a result of The Barna Research Group’s study of two dozen churches that have been effective in developing genuine followers of Christ. Several sections of the
Greg Ogden on Discipleship Referenced in: Strategies for Church Renewal: Diagnostic/Prescriptive – Disciple-Making Dr. Greg Ogden is executive pastor of discipleship at Christ Church of Oak Brook in Oak Brook, Illinois. He also served for nine years as senior pastor of Saratoga Federated Church in Saratoga, California, where he developed a discipleship program used by
Bill Hull. The Disciple-Making Church, Updated Edition: Leading a Body of Believers on the Journey of Faith Baker Books, 2010. Closely related: Bill Hull and Dallas Willard, Choose the Life, T-Net Disciple-Making Referenced in: Strategies for Church Renewal: Diagnostic/Prescriptive – Disciple-Making LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is one of several volumes authored by Bill Hull built upon
Christian Schwarz, Natural Church Development: A Guide to Eight Essential Qualities of Healthy Churches, 3rd Edition. Church Smart Resources, 2006. Referenced in: Strategies for Church Renewal – Diagnostic/Prescriptive Strategies for Church Renewal – Organic LifeandLeadership.com Summary Natural Church Development (NCD) is one of the more widely used approaches to church development, perhaps second only to
Stephen Macchia, Becoming a Healthy Church: 10 Traits of a Vital Ministry. Baker Books, 2004. Companion volume: Macchia, Becoming a Healthy Church Workbook Referenced in: Strategies for Congregational Renewal: Diagnostic/Prescriptive LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a popular planning model, now translated into four languages. It is based on an extensive study conducted by Vision New England,
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,
Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. Crossway Books, 2004. Referenced in: Strategies for Congregational Renewal: Diagnostic/Prescriptive LifeandLeadership.com Summary Nine Marks is the foundation of an entire series of resources by Mark Dever and others. It is not a diagnostic tool or a plan for church growth and effectiveness. One might say it is
Rick Warren, Purpose-Driven Church: Growth Without Compromising Your Message and Mission. Zondervan, 1995. Referenced in: Strategies for Congregational Renewal: Diagnostic/Prescriptive LifeandLeadership.com Summary It is difficult to overstate the impact of this book on churches worldwide. It is perhaps the most widely known and widely used resource on church development. It began as Rick Warren’s five-point
