Turnaround Churches: How to Overcome Barriers to Growth and Bring New Life to an Established Church

by George Barna

Book Overview

It can happen in any church-success in ministry can lead to a condition of paralysis. Churches begin to rely on the "tried and true" practices of the past and become unable-or unwilling-to risk making... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Library Binding
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0830715924
• ISBN13: 9780830715923
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Gospel Light Publications
• Length: 122 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Priceless!

January 1, 2008, I began pastoring a congregation that fits perfectly the category of a "turnaround church." Barna's comments here are extremely helpful and exceptionally comforting. Attempting to lead a declining/dying church back to health is not for the faint of heart. Barna even states that most churches that have experienced a dramatic decline will never recover. Still, for pastors like me who feel called by God to tackle such a situation, this book is priceless. I recommend it highly.

I was afraid to read this book

This is a very unique book. It doesn't look for churches that are success stories and then Barna writes why they have made it. Rather this a book that the author looks for churches that are "failures" and he tells us why and what it took to turn them around.He states that it takes a special (or different) type of pastor to turn a church around. It takes a pastor that can exude confidance and strong leadership. He writes: "Leadership without strong management results in theoretical, idea-heavy, pastor driven churches. Management without visionary leadership leads to ministry that is mechanical, passionless. predictable and limited".Also states that it will take a new pastor to turn a church around. The Pastor who is on watch when the church takes a dive will not be able to cause this major change as the church is ready to give its last gasp.It is easy to see that Maxwell's leadership laws are being implemented. The difference in this book is that time lines and time deadlines are given.I said I was afraid to read this book because I have been involved with 3 turn around churches (all have made it)and this last one was on the bankruptcy doorsteps as well as facing civil lawsuits and a possible criminal investigation. It simply doesn't get worse. Today, 4 years later, there has been a complete turn around. I was afraid because I read the book with an eye to judge myself according to Mr. Barna.He writtings are exactly what my wife and I have experienced. This definitely is NOT a book on theory. These are actual case studies and I can personally attest to its accuracy. I only wish that I have read this book 20 years ago so that I could have gone into these situations with a bit more confidance.The only way not to rate this book highly, is to only experience a turnaround by reading and not by doing.

It helped turn around my church!

This is one of the most intriguing, yet, depressing books I have ever read. On one hand Barna says that there is hope for the 85% of American Churches that have stagnated or are in the process of decline- they can be turned around. Based on actual case studies, Barna outlines the principles of renewal; yet, just when we can see ourselves leading our churches out of the spiritual doldrums Barna drops the other shoe. Turning around a church is an extraordinary difficult task that only a few pastors are capable of doing. Perhaps the most discouraging word was that this was a young mans job, that is, for men under the age of forty-five.I appreciate the authors insight that it takes a strong, hardworking leader to run around a church. A forty-hour workweek will not do. Barna stresses that spiritual growth must be based on spiritual things and not just on the strength of men, a foundation of prayer is a must for a turn around church. Without prayer we are relaying on the strength of men. We need to bring people into a tighter bond with God, a process that is very uncomfortable for most people.Here are some insights: Renewal takes a long-term commitment; one does not turn a church around in a year or two- it is a process that may take five or six years. There is an absolute need to seize the moment. Barna counsels pastors to make significant changes the first year of their ministry. To wait a year or two to earn how the church operates (advice given by almost every seminary and Bible college) will almost guarantee failure in the renewal process. Delay will only allow internal resistance to develop. Finally, he says that renewal pastors do not wait for a consensus before attempting change they will never get it. Consensus is the abdication of leadership.If you are a senior pastor and have the courage to attempt to turn around your church, read this book.