First Comes Faith: Proclaiming the Gospel in the Church

In a highly readable and thought provoking style, Frank Harrington simpy tells it like it ought to be and how it works best. Drawing on his own church's success over a three decade period of growing a mainline protestant church (Peachtree Presbyterian) from a small surburban to a thriving metropolitan church that is the largest and most influencial in the entire Presbyterian demonination, he reveals the timeless bibilcal truths contained in and implored by the bible to assist churches of today to carry out the great commission - to go an spread the gospel unto the ends of the earth. His message is one of spiritual practicality - unwavering in its connectedness to the printed word of the bible, yet loaded with real-world approaches, points to consider and suggestions for any church to apply and develop from. It is an excellent guide with study questions at each chapter conclusion for group or leadership discussion. Dr. Harrington is known for simply raising the essential questions of faith as they apply to real life where we all live out our existance and points. In the book, he points to, but does not force the reader, toward the answers as contained in holy scripture. It is a must-read for growing churches - particularly those of the traditional mainline protestant tradition who want to grow and strangthen their witness in today's world. Dr. Harrington passed away in 2000, I highly recommend the commerative book that describes his life and contains many of his most moving sermons - "To Comfort, Strengthen and to Guide"