-a nine-step strategic thinking and acting model
-useful ideas for developing a ministry strategy
-diagrams to help illustrate concepts
-a new section on spiritual formation

The methods in this book are proven to work, having already helped many churches articulate their vision and implement their mission.

Learn the "Big Picture" approach that will aim your congregation at the mission field in your back yard, or around the world.

Many churches want to make the transition from an inward to an outward focus, from catering to the needs of members to reaching out into the world to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Too often they try to accomplish this radical change by taking half steps and partial measures, initiating a new program here or adding a new staff members there.

Yet this kind of change requires more. To succeed in changing its core focus this way, a congregation must learn strategic thinking; it must commit itself to seeing the big picture, and to taking the steps necessary to paint that picture afresh. Everyone, including pastors, lay leaders, key teams and groups, and the congregation as a whole must be involved in a process of transformation. Paul D. Borden, author of Hit the Bullseye and Direct Hit, knows that this transformation will not be easy. But if the target is bringing more people into saving relationship with Jesus Christ, what could be more worthwhile?

Seminary president Jeff Iorg looks back at the New Testament church in Antioch to find a biblical model of what healthy churches should look like today. Advising a principled approach in the context of this comparison, he shares methods for measuring church health that are based on hard data as well as discernable spiritual realities. Key areas of discussion include a church's need to emphasize the empowering of the Holy Spirit, advancing the gospel, changing lives, maintaining doctrinal integrity, resolving conflicts, strong leadership, and sacrificial living.

Recent political events in the USA indicate that ordinary people are weary of traditional politics and ways of doing business in the halls of power. A similar mood is present in churches around the world. Ordinary church members are tired of the fighting and politicking that seem to privilege the same people all the time. They want a new way of making decisions in their churches and in their representative meetings. This book shows them how such a hope can be realized.

Robert's Rules of Order, or the traditional parliamentary style of decision-making used in many churches, can work for simple decisions that are aggregated and passed by consent. For complex and divisive issues, churches need a decision process that does not result in a combative, winner-take-all approach to church life. A healthy church also tries to involve commitment from a wide range of stakeholders rather than privilege a few well-informed and capable speakers. A vital and healthy congregation yearns for a more collaborative, respectful, encouraging, engaging, and empowering process.

This book on discernment in the church provides a step-by-step guide on how to create a new way of working together. Drawing on tried and tested processes, it advocates for a consensus building approach and showing people how it can work in their setting (local church or judicatory meetings). Readers will learn how to design a consensus building business process for their church meeting while still respecting the denominational and legal requirements under which they must operate.

This book is for leaders, members of church boards and committees, and church members who know that there is something wrong with the present system but don't know what to do about it. This guidebook is hopeful, inspiring, and practical.