Practical Church Growth
Lessons from the New Testament
With so many books being
written each year about church growth, it is refreshing to read one that is
more based on scriptural wisdom rather than business systems. Dean Taylor
effectively interprets the Apostle Paul’s great words to the church in Ephesus,
so that they can be applied in this post-modern age when many congregations are
struggling.
The book is based on
Ephesians 4:1-16 and the author cleverly uses the words of Paul to encourage
other ministers and churches to get back to the basics of New Testament Church
growth. Dean’s substantial research and knowledge of this passage are easily
read, pondered, and applied. The whole book would make a great study for
pastors and elders together, especially if they are trying to find a new vision
for a congregation that has plateaued or is declining. Pastors could also use
the book for a series of sermons based on the insights and applications that
Taylor presents. In fact, the best two chapters of the whole book can be found
together – 6: Every Pastor Equipping and 7: Every Member Ministering.
At the end of each
chapter, there are a number of questions that can be shared and discussed at
church classes, board meetings, or staff groups in order to engender a new and
hopeful vision for local congregations.
I was given the
opportunity to read and review this book for the publisher via Net Galley. I am
now looking forward to sharing some of its contents with the congregation that I
presently serve.
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