Review by Tina Von Wald

Overview

James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner set out to help organizations achieve the extraordinary by providing leadership practices that enhance and create positive work environments.  The authors described the five practices of exemplary leadership, five ways to make a difference and ten commitments of exemplary leadership.  They defined what people look for in their leaders and listed credibility as an essential ingredient. The second half of the book divided each of the five practices: model the way, inspire a shared vision, challenge the process, enable others to act and encourage the heart.

Kouzes and Posner stated, “The Leadership Challenge is about how leaders mobilize others to want to get extraordinary things done in organizations.  It’s about leadership that makes a positive difference in the workplace and creates the climate in which people turn challenging opportunities into remarkable successes.”[1]  The authors desired to cultivate self-motivation for the purpose of accomplishing great things through the organizations created reflective evaluations.  They emphasized that leaders improve the work environment by developing the employees for change, adaptability, prosperity and growth.  The authors believe,  “Our ongoing aspiration is that this book contributes to the revitalization of organizations, to the creation of new enterprises, to the renewal of healthy communities, and to greater respect and understanding in the world.”[2]  They hoped to bring a fresh perspective to creating healthy work environments.

Meaningful Material

In the final chapter of the book the Kouzes and Posner surmised that leadership happens through relationships that impact how a leader leads, “Leadership is about relationships, about credibility, about passion and conviction, and ultimately about what you do.  You don’t have to look up for leadership.  You don’t have to look out for leadership.  You only have to look inward.”[3]  The emphasis on encouraging others to speak into the leader’s life, doing life with others and learning from others demonstrates a similar model to the one that Christ illustrated while he lived on earth.

This book attests to leadership principles founded in the Truth.  The authors do not write from a Christian perspective, but their practices support behaviors and actions that Christ exemplified.  This reader identifies with the idea of leadership as relationship with others and self.  They contend that everyone who leads has a responsibility as a role model for those they interact with on a daily basis; “Everyone-and that literally means every person-is potentially a role model for someone, and this means that leadership must be everyone’s business.”[4]  The leader has responsibility to navigate through life making personal changes to leadership while also encouraging others to follow and become better leaders. In ministry, pastors have a call to bring health to the church through self-evaluation and development of people through relationships.

Significant Statement

At the end of the book the authors made a significant statement in regard to love.  “The best-kept secret of successful leaders is love; staying in love with leading, with the people who do the work, with what their organizations provide, and with those who honor the organization by using its products and services. Leadership is not an affair of the head.  Leadership is an affair of the heart.”[5]  This is a fresh perspective on leadership with a definite Christlike thrust.

This statement happens for the authors after they have studied leadership for a long time, and they determine that love is the key.  This love refers to passion for the job, the people, the values and furthering of the passion and love, which resembles the similar undertones to the message of the gospel.  The author’s revelation came through study, interviews and analyses.  Passion about where and what is led gives great value to the individual, or employees and the organization.

Critique of Content

The books strength offers practical steps for leadership growth, providing substantial research to support the listed practices.  “The Leadership Challenge is evidence-based.  Analyzing thousands of case studies and millions of survey responses resulted in The Five Practices framework.”[6]  In putting these steps into practice a leader can do so with confidence that these practices come out of much research and development in work environments.

Written from a secular perspective, the book does not acknowledge these principles as biblical thus indicates a weakness.  One example of a biblical perspective but a lack of recognition of Truth (Phil. 2:3), “Perhaps the very best advice for all aspiring leaders is to remain humble and unassuming-to always remain open to learning more about yourself and the world around you.”[7]  Identified throughout the New Testament, Jesus exemplified humility.

The book set out to research and provide leadership principles a leader can refer to as they continue on their leadership journey.  “Think of the book as a field guide to take along on your leadership journey.  Think of it as a manual you can consult when you want advice and counsel on how to make things happen and move forward.”[8]  The layout of the material makes for easy reference and suggested practices.  Kouzes and Posner succeed in achieving their goal in writing this book.

Recommendation

This book offers practical suggestions for enhancing leadership, with proven steps to take at the end of each practice.  The Leadership Challenge can provide a fresh perspective to leaders desiring self-improvement or looking for action steps to take for betterment.  This material works those at entry level leadership positions up to the highest levels of leadership.

Conclusion

The Leadership Challenge demonstrates the importance of leadership practices through research and interviews with leaders from diverse walks of life by including practical steps to implementing practices proven successful in leadership.  The material provides real world practices to reference as you lead, no matter what level of leadership.

[1]James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner, The Leadership Challenge (New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,

2017), xi.

[2]Kouzes and Posner, The Leadership Challenge, xiv.

[3]Kouzes and Posner, The Leadership Challenge, 295.

[4]Kouzes and Posner, The Leadership Challenge, 298.

[5]Kouzes and Posner, The Leadership Challenge, 313.

[6]Kouzes and Posner, The Leadership Challenge, xii.

[7]Kouzes and Posner, The Leadership Challenge, 308.

[8]Kouzes and Posner, The Leadership Challenge, xiii.

The post The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations Book Critique appeared first on Rural Advancement.

Review by Jim Von Wald

Overview

The Churching of America 1776-2005: Winners and Losers in Our Religious Economy, written by professors Roger Finke and Rodney Stark, outlines the history of denominations as they established churches in America.  Their historical narrative showed, with empirical data and historical records, reasons for the rise and fall of church denominations as they moved across America.  This narrative also provided a secular view of denominational church planting in America.

Finke and Stark’s writing revealed some historical gaps that filled by unverified and borrowed information resulting in “major falsifications” across the history of churches in America.[1]  This misinformation passed along in academic circles without appropriate historical criticism, which resulted in “absurd statistics” about high church membership as well as deflated church growth such as those based on the view of Lyman Beecher whose own denomination was failing.[2]  The authors brought about historical correction and stated, “We did not intend to make major revisions to the history of American religion, but unless reason and arithmetic have failed us, we have done precisely that.”[3]  The corresponding correction resulted in meaningful data and trends which led to the rise and fall of denominations in America.

Despite their work being a secular view of religion as it relates to establishing churches or church planting across America, the growth of the church adherence in America from a mere 17% in 1776 to that of 62% today is quite remarkable.[4]  Even though church adherence is not the same as conversion, the historical growth of the church in America fits the mission of God to establish His church to the ends of the earth.

Meaningful Material

Finke and Stark’s chapter three, “The Upstart Sects Win America” provides historical information how mainline denominations faltered and declined while the new church denominations grew exponentially.  The authors point to some reasons for the downfall of the mainline and the growth of the upstarts.  For example, the mainline denominations attempted to regulate who and where a new church could start, establishing cartels and local privilege to this effect.[5]  This attempt to control and persecute the upstarts, which in one instance included preaching against the itinerant traveling minister, led to a surge in attendance the next time he came in town.[6]  The resistance to the upstart church may be compared to the New Testament church, which when persecuted dispersed and continued to grow.[7]

The authors shared multiple reasons for the success of the new church plants, which the mainline denominations remained unwilling to attempt.  Some possible reasons included: having a locally organized church body; clergy of the people, often bi-vocational; passionate ministers excited their style; self-sacrificing clergy willing to work for little pay; well organized camp meetings as social events; a willingness to include slaves and women; and a missionary spirit which continually pushed the denominations to new frontiers.[8]  Present day denominations would do well to evaluate their church planting efforts against the historical record that Finke and Stark reveal to help determine if mistakes from history are reoccurring.

Significant Statement

Finke and Starks study on the secularization of the church in Colonial America revealed critical information regarding continued church planting as it relates to the mission of God.  The authors stated that success and affluence in the church plant sects of early America led to a gradual accommodation to the world and less demanding standards for membership.[9]  Becoming comfortable can lead to risk aversion.  Forward movement usually necessitates uncomfortable risk, but an essential component in church planting and God’s mission requiring faith.

They noted the academic arena as another critical component in the historical secularization of the church.  Finke and Starks stated,  “It may be that secularization ensues whenever religion is placed within a formal academic setting, for scholars seem unable to resist attempting to explain mysteries and miracles and, failing that, to exclude them.  Rather than celebrate mysteries and be thankful for miracles, religious scholars often seek a purely rational faith…where all mysteries are solved by exclusion and all miracles dismissed illusions.  Whether or not this corrosive effect of scholarship on religion is inevitable, that is what went on at Harvard and Yale, starting well before the Revolution.” [10]

Realizing this historical precedence, Christians in academia must carefully follow the advice of the Apostle Paul to guard closely that which has been entrusted, turning away from any knowledge that opposes faith.[11]  A preventative buffer to secularization develops and establishes a biblically grounded practical theology that connects theory and practice.

Critique of Content

Finke and Stark confronted the establishment’s incorrect view of many areas of America church history.  Their documentation provided the proof required to rewrite some historical narratives more accurately.  Their work helps recognize areas of peril, which a denomination can guard to help prevent secularization and demise.  Despite the value Finke and Stark’s work can bring to the church,  Martin E. Marty of the Christian Century stated, “Finke and Stark’s world contains no God or religion or spirituality, no issue of truth or beauty….only winning or losing in the churching game matters.”[12]  It is possible that Marty was not considering the mission of God in establishing the church, where winning or losing is an eternal issue, which makes winning and losing all that matters.

The authors’ writing might create a matrix of issues mainline denominations faced and their response to them, which lead to their downfall.  Forming a similar model of the upstart sects, which were successful in church planting, would show the factors contributing to growth.  Narrowing the focus to a specific denomination and connecting the historical narrative of that denomination through the matrix may produce data that could be used to analyze the trajectory of that denominations future and possible corrections needed.

Recommendation

Finke & Stark provided an opportunity to study the history of church development and denominational rise and fall in America.  Their book is recommended for those interested in learning reasons why some denominations grew while others faltered.  In the church planting realm, this is a critical issue.  Furthermore, their work reveals some misconceptions about American church history and some false historical narratives.  Teachers and students could benefit from using their material as a primer in learning American church history.  The author’s willingness to ask why and then present historical evidence to back their answers is refreshing. Denominational leaders looking into reasons for organizational decline may find this book helpful in the process of developing solutions and taking action steps.

[1] Roger Finke & Rodney Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005: Winners and Losers in Our Religious Economy. (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2005), 3.

[2] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 2.

[3] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 1.

[4] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 23.

[5] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 61.

[6] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 64.

[7] Acts 8 (NIV).

[8] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 72-116.

[9] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 46-47.

[10] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 47.

[11] 1 Tim. 6:20 (NIV).

[12] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, xiv

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David A. Livermore wrote Cultural Intelligence: Improving your CQ to Engage Our Multicultural World with the intent to change the way cultures engage with one another.  He organized the book by four different factors, knowledge CQ, interpretive CQ, perseverance CQ, and behavioral CQ.  Each of these quotients represents a quadrant that “measures the ability to effectively reach across the chasm of cultural difference in ways that are loving and respectful.”[1]  Evaluation empowers individuals as they interact within different cultures and especially for the Christian.

The first part of the book discussed, in its three chapters, how the reader can more effectively express love towards individuals of different cultures, which Livermore refers to the individuals as “Other.”  The second section of the book includes five chapters discussing the knowledge or understanding ability of the learner to define their own culture in light of Others culture.  The third section contains four chapters dealing with the interpretive quotient. Described as, “the degree to which we’re mindful and aware when we interact cross-culturally.”[2]  The final sections three chapters navigate the reader by using the first three quotients to behave in a culturally sensitive fashion through service and relationships.

Each section of the book identifies, defines, and describes ways the reader can become more culturally intelligent through a fundamental change, not just an outer change.  Livermore stated, “The primary distinction of this book is that it uses an approach to cross-cultural interaction that stems from inward transformation rather than from information or, worse yet, from artificial political correctness.”[3]  The author desired the material to cause the reader to think about the importance of contextualization in each culture.  Livermore wrote, “Throughout this journey toward more effectively expressing love to the Other, we’ll explore the significance of seeing both ourselves and the Other as expressions of who God is.”[4]  Livermore desired the reader to become aware and actively increase their cultural sensitivity, with God’s help and a different approach to cultural intelligence.

Encouraging statements like, “Adopting a state of mindfulness in the midst of cross-cultural interaction allows us to step back and observe the automatic behaviors of ourselves and others.  Shutting down our semiautomatic impulses, choosing liminality for a period of time, and remaining mindful throughout cross-cultural experiences are all part of what it means to become more aware.”[5]  Through different cultural experiences, being mindful and aware of those around and the innate response that results from that individual’s culture can make the journey less intimidating.

Predominately white ministries can provide an opportunity for the development of cultural intelligence through education and creating events, that include different cultures experiencing conversations and connections.  The current political and social culture illustrates the need for cultural intelligence and sensitivity.  As believers, Christ mandated to love one another.  To show love in a Christlike fashion typifies how he loved.

Learning to live and love in other contexts and cultures confirms what Mark stated, “The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater.”[6]  Livermore wrote,

The flattened world is bringing us more and more encounters with people who aren’t like us.  We cannot hope to become experts in every cultural context in which we find ourselves.  But through cultural intelligence, we can enhance our ability to interact with one another in ways that are respectful, loving, and dignifying.  Herein lies the essence of the gospel.[7]

An essential step for the church of believers to exemplify the love of Christ comes through loving people without judgment or criticisms within their cultural norms.  This statement has an impact because it states that cultural intelligence allows for better connections, deeper connections that confirm respectfully and honoring of different peoples and their cultures.  Often presumptions come without consideration for other cultural differences.  God created different people, cultures, and languages but loved all the same.  Enhancing the acceptance and understanding of others encapsulates what Christ did while on the earth and thus requires believers of today to do the same.

The author presents the four quotients in detail using examples, Scripture, and everyday language, thus creating an understandable discussion.  He poses questions that challenge the reader to dig deeper and internalize the reading.  He does not spend the entire time theorizing the ideas but provides praxis for the material.  He stated, “Praxis is a valuable skill for everyone.  It allows for a holistic approach to education that empowers people to perceive critically ways they exist in their worlds.”[8]  The practice of the theory allows for change to happen.  The author did an excellent job of using ministry examples; he desired pastors and missionaries, leading in cross-cultural situations to find success through cultural intelligence. “With the growing opportunities for multicultural interactions at home and abroad, the question of how ministry leaders and their organizations can effectively minister in culturally diverse situations is a critical and challenging problem.”[9]  Livermore provides ample opportunities for growth throughout his writing.  He wrote this book with ministers in mind.

Limited research of the ministry environment impacted the material.  Livermore stated, “More needs to be understood about how to enhance the cultural intelligence of a ministry team as a whole.”[10]  Churches should typify the best practices when it comes to cultural sensitivity and intelligence.  The book also misses the rural context due to the emphasis on multicultural environments, not generally the demographics of rural areas.  Livermore wrote the book for all ministry leaders working in “rural, urban, and suburban contexts at home.”[11]  Based on my reading of the material rural illustrations, context, and examples lacked.

The author did an excellent job defining and distinguishing theory from practice and provide resources to start the conversation and evaluation for each ministry leader.  His promotion of inward change versus outward adherence augmented his argument through illustrations, examples, Scripture, and life experience.  The writing achieved practical, understandable, and applicable material for ministry leaders, hence fulfilling the goal of the book.

This book promotes cultural intelligence in a modern, Biblical, and understandable way. The book provides relevant examples to challenge the reader’s thoughts on potential issues within their perspectives.  The author asks thoughtful questions and poses scenarios that most people have experienced at one time or another.  The underlying theme of the book emphasizes loving like Christ.  That maintains what Christ told the church to do before He left this earth.  Love all.  This book validates the church’s need for cultural sensitivity and comes with high recommendations and will benefit those in ministry positions around the world or in the United States.  Others that may benefit from the book include believers seeking to share the hope of Jesus.  Sensitivity and understanding go a long way in sharing the gospel.

[1] David A. Livermore, Cultural Intelligence: Improving your CQ to Engage Our Multicultural World (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009), 13.

[2] Livermore, Cultural Intelligence, 14.

[3] Livermore, Cultural Intelligence, 12.

[4] Livermore, Cultural Intelligence, 15.

[5] Livermore, Cultural Intelligence, 150.

[6] Mark 12:31, New Living Translation

[7] Livermore, Cultural Intelligence, 31.

[8] Livermore, Cultural Intelligence, 193.

[9] Livermore, Cultural Intelligence, 12.

[10] Livermore, Cultural Intelligence, 271.

[11]Livermore, Cultural Intelligence, 12.

Bibliography

Livermore David A. Cultural Intelligence: Improving Your CQ to Engage Our Multicultural World, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009.

The post Cultural Intelligence: Improving Your CQ to Engage Our Multicultural World Book Review appeared first on Rural Advancement.

Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson, as researchers and practitioners, wrote Comeback Churches: How 300 Churches Turned Around and Yours Can Too.  They addressed a common concern facing many churches and denominations: “What can be done about a church that has plateaued, is stagnant, or has fallen into decline?”[1]  The authors tackled this dynamic through the study of over 300 churches that experienced “renewed growth after a significant period of plateau and/or decline.”[2]  Their research attempted to find what biblical principles empowered a declining church to turn around and experience success.

Defining success in the church world can become a challenge; the measurements of spiritual growth and achievement remain difficult to quantify.  Stetzer and Dodson gave “a qualitative study built on quantitative data” to determine what best practices turnaround churches implemented and those readers could utilize to evaluate their church practices.[3]  The authors gauge the spiritual dynamics in comeback churches and their impact on the kingdom of God.[4]  The church may find itself in danger of failing to accomplish the mission of God to the world if it only builds numbers or dogmatically follows a formula without the corresponding fruit of changed lives.

Church revitalization addresses a complex and perplexing issue to delineate.  With the church a primary means of fulfilling the mission of God towards this world, a healthy church becomes imperative to that assignment, and a plateaued or dying church may undermine the task.  Unfortunately, many churches have plateaued or declined.  When describing the Assemblies of God denomination, Dr. John Davidson in his October 2018 Trinity Graduate School presentation stated, “Of the approximate 13,000 Assembly of God Churches in America, 70% are either plateaued or in a state of decline.”[5]  Stetzer and Dodson’s work could help determine keys to reverse that trend.  Their work eliminated churches that grew numerically through transfer growth.[6]  Transfer growth may be viewed as Christians simply rearranging themselves between churches versus reaching the lost, critical to the mission of God.  Furthermore, the movement of people between churches fosters a consumer mentality, which may hinder the church fulfilling the mission of God towards the world.

Stetzer and Dodson observed foundational biblical principles of church revitalization in comeback churches that intertwined with church praxis.  The authors showed the following spiritual factors as critical components of comeback churches: intentionality, growth goals, strategic prayer, reconciling relationships, servanthood and renewed faith in Christ’s mission for the church.[7]  The study resulted in discovery of significant components,

While each factor is important, three stood out.  We believe these Three Faith Factors help a church regain a missional focus and are always necessary to lead a comeback church:

1. Renewed belief in Jesus Christ and the mission of the church,
2. Renewed attitude for servanthood, 
3. More strategic prayer effort.[8]

While these three factors, became the main contributors to a comeback church turnaround, and may enhance any church or leader fulfilling the mission of God to the world.[9]

Stetzer and Dodson’s examined over 300 turnaround churches and systematically described the elements, determined as essential, to the comeback occurring.  Their documentation provided issues found in declining or plateaued churches.  The authors stated, “…we recognized we can learn from either our own experiences or from the experiences of others.  This book will help you…so that you do not have to pay the same price and endure the same hard lessons…”[10]  Leaders should exercise caution in copying the steps other churches have taken for revitalization.  The book should not become a step by step manual, but a way to understand some of the best practices used in churches that turned the direction around.  Practitioners could use this book as a guide to formulate a foundational plan for revitalization.

The authors’ writing could springboard into a deeper study about indicators of plateau or decline before it occurred.  Preventative measures remain critical components for churches to avoid the painstaking process of revitalization.  However, the writers stated, “From its inception, the church has followed this very pattern throughout its history – growing, decaying, and being restored.”[11]  A question to ask, must a church or denomination decay and die as a part of its life cycle?[12]  Further research about what lead into plateau and decline may introduce some prevention.

Stetzer and Dodson provide an opportunity to study the recent history of church revitalization in America and have outlined practices that could revitalize a church.  Practitioners in plateaued or declining churches may benefit from this book’s insight into ideas and groundwork that can reverse trends.  Data and criteria from the turnaround churches may provide a “hands-on” guide for a church to return to health.  Healthy and growing churches could use this book as a guide for warning signs of decline.  An essential issue stated by the authors, one person cannot revitalize or prevent decay by themselves.  Revitalization requires a team willing to take the necessary steps to move into healthy patterns following the work and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

[1] Ed Stetzer & Mike Dodson, Comeback Churches: How 300 Churches Turned Around and Yours Can Too. (Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2007), 19.

[2] Stetzer & Dodson, Comeback Churches, x.

[3] Stetzer & Dodson, Comeback Churches, xi

[4] Stetzer & Dodson, Comeback Churches, xi.

[5] John Davidson, “Rural Church Planting/Multiplication and Revitalization” (presentation, Trinity Graduate School Immersion, Foley, MN, October 2018).

[6] Stetzer & Dodson, Comeback Churches, xii.

[7] Stetzer & Dodson, Comeback Churches, 55.

[8] Stetzer & Dodson, Comeback Churches, (bold original), 55.

[9] Churches and leaders, who believe the church brings hope to this world, recognize the multiple mandates given by Jesus: His mission to build the church(Matt. 16:18-19, NIV), His example to serve the world (Matt. 20:28, NIV) and Jesus encouragement for the church to pray(Matt. 21:13, NIV).  Stetzer and Dodson’s findings remind the church of instructions given to experience life within its walls.

[10] Stetzer & Dodson, Comeback Churches, xi.

[11] Stetzer & Dodson, Comeback Churches, 209.

[12] Ted Duboise, It’s Easier To Give Birth Than Resurrect The Dead: A Proactive Approach to Managing Employees. (Columbus, GA: On Point! Publishers, 2013), chapter 5. Leaders could tailor principles Ted Dubois gave to prevent a deadbeat from developing in the first place.

Bibliography 

Davidson, John. “Rural Church Planting/Multiplication and Revitalization.”  Presentation at Trinity Graduate School Immersion Experience, Foley, MN, October 23, 2018.

Duboise, Ted.  It’s Easier to Give Birth Than Resurrect The Dead: A Proactive Approach to Managing Employees. Columbus, GA: On Point! Publishers, 2013.

Stetzer, Ed & Mike Dodson, Comeback Churches: How 300 Churches Turned Around and Yours Can Too. Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2007.

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Roger Stronstad wrote a timeless text for pastors and believers to discover the Luke-Acts themes of prophetic deeds and declaration. The experience of Spirit baptism results in prophetic communities that take the gospel to the ends of the earth. He demonstrated from Luke’s primary focus, the importance of following Jesus’ example and instruction to be filled with the Spirit for bold witness as prophets. Stronstad’s strong pneumatology emphasis introduced the book,
“In regard to the subject of this study, namely, ‘the Prophethood of all believers’, my aim of thinking Luke’s thoughts after him is to understand the meaning of Spirit-baptism and its relationship to either salvation or to vocation. When reading Luke-Acts, I have observed that Luke often explicitly relates the presence and activity of the Holy Spirit to a vocation as the Spirit of prophecy.“[1]
Thus the author sets the tone for the book. The treatment of God’s people as subjects who should be empowered by the Holy Spirit to become powerful prophets in word and deed. Stronstad gives a comprehensive examination of this subject, demonstrating that all of God’s people should operate in like anointing.

The Theme

Jesus, the anointed prophet of God, replicated in the lives of the early church and subsequently in the Church as a whole, serves as the theme of The Prophethood of the Believers. Stronstad gives a compelling argument that as Jesus was the anointed prophet mighty in word and deed, the Church has also received that same anointing to speak the truth in power and to confirm His word in works.
Stronstad gives multiple examples of this truth throughout the Book of Acts and beyond. He states that everyone from apostles to deacons walked in both anointed word and works. Moreover, that example indicates believers today should also be anointed for word and works, a very compelling and encouraging argument. If God intends all Spirit-filled believers to operate in the prophetic anointing, and to minister in power (as Jesus) in both word and in deed, it demonstrates the biblical norm and obliges every believer to seek to walk in that same anointing.
The book’s outline, set around the prophetic ministry of Jesus, and how He passed it to the disciples and then to the rest of the Church is demonstrated in the book of Acts and the New Testament. Stronstad begins by examining the prophetic ministry of Jesus, followed by an analysis of the disciples’ prophetic ministry. Subsequent chapters dealt with that same prophetic anointing upon Stephen and Phillip’s deacons and the prophets Barnabas, Agabus, and Peter. He then concludes the book with a chapter on the prophetic anointing exhibited in Paul’s ministry and a synthesis of the prophetic anointing given to all believers.

Most Meaningful Material & Ministry Related Issues

The most meaningful material given was the chapter on, “The Prophethood of All Believers, A Contemporary Relevance.” In this chapter, the author states,
“The Church is to be a community of prophets… In fact, in too many places, the Church views itself as a didactic community rather than as a prophetic community, where sound doctrine is treasured above charismatic action. Indeed, the preaching and teaching of the word displace Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, and Spirit-empowered ministry. The Spirit of prophecy has been quenched, and the gifts of the Spirit have been sanitized and institutionalized. The non-Pentecostal/ non-charismatic Church needs to recapture its prophetic heritage, to which it is either hostile or indifferent.“[2]
Much of the Church reflects this statement by embracing the form and forgetting the function. Not that pastors and other believers should have to choose one over the other, but the Church needs to operate in both. Each need anointed instruction and unction teaching, resulting in supernatural service. As the author declares, may we shake off our spirit of indifference and once again recapture our prophetic heritage.

Significant Quote

Although one can take many good quotes from this book, the one significant quote that needs highlighting is from the chapter on contemporary relevance. In this chapter, the author states,
“All too often, the Pentecostal, charismatic movements focus on the experience, the emotion, and the blessing more than they do on Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, and Spirit-empowered service. This shift in focus from vocation to personal experience, from being world-centered to self-centered, renders the Pentecostal’s service, the charismatic movement just about as impotent as the contemporary service non-Pentecostal, non-charismatic Church. This focus on experience rather than on service is like selling one’s birthright of Spirit-empowered service for the pottage of self-seeking experience and blessing.“[3]
This statement helps to frame the urgency of right focus.  Stronstad’s admonishment and his encouragement reinforce Luke’s theme to return to Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, and Spirit-empowered service, which strengthens opportunities for witness in this tumultuous time.

Critical Critique 

Stronstad’s research into the reflection of the prophetic ministry of Jesus in the lives of His disciples and subsequently, the lives of all those that became a part of the early Church, is the book’s greatest strength.
If there were any weakness, it would be that the author might serve the book well to set a contrast at the beginning against a more recognized theological subject such as the “priesthood of the believer.” This may give the reader an understanding of how other doctrines remain well known and received, yet this very apparent teaching of scripture the church as a whole has overlooked. And this, much to our detriment, has weakened democratization involving all believers, in the proclamation of the gospel.

Recommendation

The Prophethood of all Believers can assist Christians in the transformational process of becoming all God has redeemed them to be. It reminds the readers that the mission of the Church remains to build the kingdom of God by walking in prophetic word and work. It also encourages the reader to aspire to great things in the spiritual realm. If indeed, the early Church modeled normative Christianity, then each one must strive to regain the lost Spirit-empowered prophetic speech and reclaim our God-given birthright.

Bibliography

Roger Stronstad, The Prophethood of All Believers: A Study in Luke’s Charismatic Theology. CPT Press, Cleveland TN, 2010.
[1] Roger Stronstad, The Prophethood of All Believers: A Study in Luke’s Charismatic Theology (CPT Press, Cleveland TN, 2010) 2.
[2] Stronstad, The Prophethood of All Believers, 121.
[3] Stronstad, The Prophethood of All Believers. 121.

 Alvin (Dobie) Weasel, founder, and president of Life Tribe Ministries, leads the movement to reach every Native North American with a contextualized, life-changing message of Jesus. Weasel, a church planter and pastor of multiple multi-ethnic churches, also ministers as an evangelist, camp, and conference speaker. Dobie Weasel is a graduate student at Trinity Bible College and Graduate School pursuing a Master of Arts degree in rural ministry.

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Outline & Theme

Ed Stetzer and Warren Bird outlined their book, Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers, into four parts to assist reader’s use of this resource. First, Stetzer and Bird begin with the methods and the standards of their research for writing their book. Second, they discuss importance of evangelism, and the dependency of church planting to accomplish the mission of church multiplication. Third, the authors look at the different church planting methods exploring the benefits and hindrances in church panting models. Fourth, they discussed the importance of looking at new ways to evaluate if the church has a multiplying mindset and what factors produce fast or slow growing churches.

Stetzer and Bird express that the purpose of writing their book, “We are absolutely convinced that a huge influx of new churches is required in this country, an influx that will not happen unless present patterns change.”[1] The premise of this book, continuing to do church, in the same way will not impact the world we live in today.

The authors believed that, “…church planting is the best way to take the church to the people it needs to serve. We believe new churches are the best platform for followers of Jesus to live as salt, light, and doers of good deeds in our communities, to demonstrate love in practical ways, and to intentionally make more disciples of Jesus Christ.”[2] Stetzer and Bird’s classification of what it will require Christ-followers to reach and disciple their communities has the prerequisite of a healthy church planting movement that leads to multiplication.

Most Meaningful Material & Ministry Related Issues

Stetzer and Bird wrote about how churches need to use a new matrix to measure effectiveness. By using a different matrix, could enable churches to focus on multiplication instead of addition. Stetzer and Bird believed, “The way that most pastors and congregations measure health by whether their church is growing.”[3] The challenge that this assertion raises for congregations and pastors that churches can have the appearance of health; however, with different criteria, churches may not have the health that church leaders thought they had.

The authors continued, “The better measurement is whether their people are learning to reproduce themselves. Ralph calls it disciples multiplying churches.”[4] As pastors and congregations overcome the fear that they will lose control or lose people when they reproduce themselves, they will see multiplication in the church as a necessity.

Significant Quote

Evangelistic methods have evolved; at times, the church needs to evaluate its effectiveness. One of the ways that church leaders could do this by looking at the past. Stetzer and Bird noted, “Paul’s evangelistic strategy was to plant new churches that in turn planted new churches.”[5] This statement’s significance should raise the question for church leaders to consider how they may become more effective in reaching the lost in our world today. Do churches need to plant new churches or for smaller churches to partner together to plant churches. As churches return to this evangelistic method, church leaders can look at nontraditional ways of doing church that may provide more effective ways to multiply itself.

Critique

Throughout the book, Stetzer and Bird discussed that the church needs to move from an addition to a multiplication mindset[6]; they keep this theme throughout their book. Stetzer and Bird wrote, “…this is not a book for those whose approach is to start only one church. Instead, we are speaking to those who have a dream of starting lots and lots of churches. Not via one-by-one addition, but by multiplication.”[7] Stetzer and Bird did well presented the need well for new churches to plant new churches,“…when the church uses new benchmarks this can be accomplished.

More organic mindsets focuse on abundance versus size. In agricultural terms, farmers sow lots of seeds with the mindset that they will reap more than they sow.”[8] From establishing new benchmarks in the conclusion of their book or establishing the intended purpose in writing their book stayed consistent with multiplying the church. Stetzer and Bird covered the intended purpose of their book well. The authors provided a detailed account on how they conducted their research, which provided (possibly validity or anything else you think this gave the text).

Recommendation

Church planters or those interested in the church planting movement would benefit from reading this book and having it as a resource to refer back to as a tool. As churches embark on the journey of planting a church, this book shows the importance of not only planting one church but multiple churches. Stetzer and Bird cover a broad range of topics that could help existing churches get out of the church’s Status quo.

Bibliography

Stetzer, Ed, Warren, Bird. Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass A Wiley Imprint, 2010. Kindle.

[1] Stetzer, Ed, Warren, Bird. Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers: (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass A Wiley Imprint, 2010), Chap. 2. Kindle.

[2] Stetzer, Bird, Viral Churches Chap. 2.

[3] Stetzer, Bird, Viral Churches, Chap. 3.

[4] Stetzer, Bird, Viral Churches Chap. 3.

[5] Stetzer, Bird, Viral Churches Chap. 2.

[6] Stetzer, Bird, Viral Churches, Chap. 2.

[7] Stetzer, Bird, Viral Churches, Chap. 2.

[8] Stetzer, Bird, Viral Churches, Chap. 14.

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Brad Roth’s 2017 work, God’s Country: Faith, Hope, and the Future of the Rural Church, offers a truly unique perspective on rural ministry. Stocking the shelves of Christian bookstores, one can find dozens of titles that offer practical “how-to” tips on how to do church. Brad chooses in God’s Country to focus on what it means to be a rural leader, instead of just doing rural ministry.

The first thing that stands out about this work is the heart of the author. Brad describes his affinity for the rural church by saying “I stumbled into my love affair with rural communities and congregations, and they’ve continued to grow on me” (Roth, 2017, 15). He goes on to describe this love in terms of theology, academics, history, and in light of his years of experience ministering in rural settings. This thorough approach creates an engaging work that seeks to identify what rural truly is; which is as the author defines, a “way of seeing the world” (Roth, 2017,31).

Within his definition of rural he acknowledges common stereotypes of rural churches versus urban churches, acknowledging that “sipping a mocha in Harvard Square somehow feels more consequential than having coffee at a small-town gas station. But it’s not” (Roth. 2017, 44). The subsequent dignity and value he places on rural ministry lays the groundwork for his approach to how rural ministers ought to engage rural churches and communities. He immediately confronts the reader with different ways of being, speaking first of the ministry of presence. Roth even goes so far as to say ministers must be “made from the dust” of the small-town they minister in (Roth, 2017, 66).

Brad Roth then walks the reader through different postures. He speaks of abiding in a rural community and “watching” a rural community, referencing a specific attitude that looks for God at work in small places (Roth, 2017, 79). He speaks of postures of gratitude and prayer; again highlighting what a minister must essentially be to succeed in loving God’s rural church. He creates new metrics besides the normal numbers rubric that most churches use to define success, and seeks to reframe rural success in more realistic terms (Roth, 2017, 120).

In these postures one finds a good amount of information to unpack in regards to how a minister can successfully work in a small place, but the book does not stop there. It also goes to the birds-eye view, and allows the reader to see how relatively small one pastor is in the history of a rural church. Ministers with this perspective are able to better assess how and what they need to focus on for their part in a greater story (Roth, 2017, 139). Finally, he speaks of subjects that are downright uncomfortable; giving an extensive report on how to walk churches through every phase of their life, from birth to even death (Roth, 2017, 166).

      God’s Country is for ministers and leaders who believe in the rural church, or want to believe in the rural church. This book can be used to find practical guidance on how to minister, or it can be used to challenge one’s deepest held perspectives on what it means to work in the unseen corners of God’s world. Both academic and casual readers will find wisdom readily accessible in its pages, and this book does a fantastic job of being a valuable resource for a rural leader in any capacity.

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Years of firsthand rural insight give Daman a deep understanding of rural culture. Rural communities have unique views and cultural tendencies. He uses Biblical and contemporary examples, such as the Apostle Paul’s adapting to culture for impactful ministry. Daman (2018, 79) noted, “Understanding rural culture begins with understanding the practices, objects, beliefs, and values influence the way people live and the world.” Rural people view the land, family, community, values, and the church through a different lens than their urban and suburban neighbors (Daman 2018, 80-91) . These nuances shape and shade the large and small parts of rural churches and communities.

Daman covers broad rural topics such as a theology of rural ministry, developing partnerships, poverty, racial tensions, contributions, mission fields, and future of the rural churches. His research and insights addressed a critical challenge for rural ministry; “The greatest challenge for rural churches in the future will be the recruitment and retention of pastors to serve their local congregation” (Daman, 226) . That challenge continues to grow for the rural community as older pastors retire.

The book provides a perspective that address challenges while recognizing strengths of rural ministry that may differ from many suburban and urban ministries. The forgotten churches make great contributions to the God’s kingdom and bring transformation to the communities where God planted them. Daman’s book provides a valuable resource and tools for those who want to lead well and grow in their insight of the rural church.

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