Susan Beaumont, Inside the Large Congregation, Alban Institute, 2011. Referenced in: Church Size Dynamics LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is an insightful text based on the author’s research and consultations on the major systems at work in large congregations, and how each functions and changes for a church to be effective in its size, and to successfully
Linda M. Hilliard and Gretchen J. Switzer, Finishing With Grace: A Guide to Selling, Merging, or Closing Your Church. Booklocker.com, 2010. Referenced in: Congregational Size Dynamics and Transitions LifeandLeadership.com Summary This guide helps churches that are closing realize several hopeful options that turn their closure into a source of life and hope for other missions.
Steven Gray and Franklin Dumond, Legacy Churches. Churchsmart Resources, 2009. Referenced in: Congregational Size Dynamics and Transitions LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a guide for churches that are closing to do so intentionally by directing their resources, often including their building, for the purpose of planting new churches. From the Publisher There are churches all across
Beth Ann Gaede, Ending with Hope: A Resource for Closing Congregations. Alban Institute, 2002. Referenced in: Congregational Size Dynamics and Transitions LifeandLeadership.com Summary This fills a gap in church leadership literature, helping churches face closure with dignity and use their resources to spring new kingdom life. From the Publisher “Why is it we do funerals
Bill Sullivan, New Perspectives on Breaking the 200 Barrier. Beacon Hill Press, 2005. Referenced in: Church Leadership – Size Dynamics and Transitions LifeandLeadership Summary In this revision of an earlier volume, Ten Steps to Breaking the 200 Barrier (1998), Bill Sullivan builds upon the research of Dr. Kenneth Crow on the concept of “choice points,”
Kevin E. Martin, The Myth of the 200 Barrier: How to Lead Through Transitional Growth. Abingdon Press, 2005. Referenced in: Church Leadership – Size Dynamics and Transitions LifeandLeadership Summary This is perhaps the best book available on size transitions for smaller congregations. Lyle Schaller, a prolific author in church leadership, and the one whom the
Alice Mann, Raising the Roof: The Pastoral-to-Program Size Transition. Alban Institute, 2001. Referenced in: Church Leadership – Size Dynamics and Transitions LifeandLeadership Summary This is one of Alban Institute’s contributions to the issue of congregational size transitions. Other volumes include the anthology edited by Beth Ann Gaede, Size Transitions in Congregations, and Mann’s The In-Between
Alice Mann, The In-Between Church: Navigating Size Transitions. Alban, 1998. Referenced in: Church Leadership – Size Dynamics and Transitions LifeandLeadership Summary This is one of Alban Institute’s contributions to the issue of congregational size transitions. Other volumes include the anthology edited by Beth Ann Gaede, Size Transitions in Congregations, and Alice Mann’s more focused look
Beth Ann Gaede, Editor, Size Transitions in Congregations. Alban Institute, 2001. Referenced in: Church Leadership – Size Dynamics and Transitions LifeandLeadership Summary This is one of Alban Institute’s contributions to the issue of congregational size transitions. Other volumes include Alice Mann’s The In-Between Church: Navigating Size Transitions and Mann’s more focused look at the one
Lyle E. Schaller, The Very Large Church: New Rules for Leaders. Abingdon, 2000. Referenced in: Church Leadership – Size Dynamics and Transitions LifeandLeadership Summary Schaller is one of the most prolific authors in the field of church leadership, and if he has written a book on a subject, it usually makes sense to read it.
