Carl F. George and Warren Bird, How to Break Growth Barriers: Capturing Overlooked Opportunities for Church Growth. Baker, 1993. Referenced in: Church Leadership – Size Dynamics and Transitions LifeandLeadership Summary This is a long-recognized classic on the subject of church growth in general, and size transitions in particular. Concepts such as “sheep-herder vs. rancher,” “caregiver
Michael Fletcher, Overcoming Barriers to Church Growth: Proven Strategies for Taking Your Church to the Next Level. Bethany House, 2009. Referenced in: Church Leadership – Size Dynamics and Transitions LifeandLeadership Summary This is perhaps the best one source available describing the internal structural changes churches must make in order to grow. Elder-led churches will benefit
Elmer Towns, C. Peter Wagner, and Thom S. Rainer, The Everychurch Guide to Growth: How Any Plateaued Church Can Grow. Broadman and Holman, 1998. Referenced in: Church Leadership – Size Dynamics and Transitions LifeandLeadership Summary This resource is broken down into three sections: C. Peter Wagner on breaking the 200 barrier Thom S. Rainer on
Gary McIntosh, One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Bringing Out the Best in Any Size Church. Revell, 1999. Referenced in: Church Leadership – Size Dynamics and Transitions LifeandLeadership Summary While this volume has been significantly updated in McIntosh’s Taking Your Church to the Next Level, there is still value in this classic text. He discusses the
Gary McIntosh, Taking Your Church to the Next Level: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There. Baker, 2009. Referenced in: Church Leadership – Size Dynamics and Transitions LifeandLeadership Summary Taking Your Church to the Next Level is a significant expansion on the material in McIntosh’s earlier volume, One Size Doesn’t Fit All, long regarded
Peter Bush, In Dying We Are Born: The Challenge and Hope for Congregations. Alban Institute, 2007. Referenced in: Church Leadership – Size Dynamics and Transitions LifeandLeadership Summary This does not address “size transitions” in the sense we typically think of. It deals with the issue of churches that are on the brink of becoming extinct,
Lyle E. Schaller, The Middle-Sized Church: Problems and Prescriptions. Abingdon Press, 1985. Referenced in: Small Church Leadership 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. He also ministered in several
Ron Crandall, Turnaround and Beyond: A Hopeful Future for the Small Membership Church. Abingdon Press, 2008. Referenced in: Small Church Leadership LifeandLeadership.Com Summary This is the updated edition of the Crandall’s popular volume first published in 1995. The original reflected the research of over 100 small church pastors who had successfully employed turnaround strategies. Though
Bill Kemp, The Church Transition Workbook: Getting Your Church in Gear. Discipleship Resources, 2004. Referenced in: Leading Change and Transition Small Church Leadership LifeandLeadership.com Summary Kemp is a church renewal specialist among United Methodists. This book is not focused strictly on small churches, but can serve as an excellent companion resource with Kemp’s other volume,
CHURCH SIZE DYNAMICS, SIZE TRANSITIONS Part of the ministry resources on Church Leadership, Church Health and Renewal. Introduction Typologies for Church Size Resources: First Reads on Church Size Transitions Generally First Reads on Church Size Transitions for the Small Church Other Ministry Resources on Church Size Transitions Generally Focus on Large Congregations Transitioning Downward, Navigating
