Growing Spiritual Redwoods

Bandy's work is always thought provoking, and this book is, too. He offers a pretty accurate assessment of the problems of current church "life." However, I am not as certain that his answers are the "answer." But worth reading and pondering. His vision of the future church is certainly radically different than most of us envision.

I picked up "Growing Spiritual Redwoods" not long after reading Bill Easum's "...Gourmet Burgers". Bandy and Easum continue his analysis of the problems dragging down "traditional" churches as they encounter the new century. Bandy adds a "nuts and bolts" element that was missing in "Burgers". Traditional churches have let spirituality slip while they pursue better ways of doing church work on a corporate model. The authors want us to return the focus of the church to worship and specifically "indigenous worship"... matching worship style to the community-especially the unchurched community. Many churches are surrounded by spiritual searchers who feel alienated by the "old-fashioned" music and liturgies of traditional worship. Some of their suggestions for styles and environments are hard for me to swallow, but they do encourage thoughtful consideration of how our worship styles have become as dated as knickers. I am not sure that the overwhelming sensual assault of much of modern culture is absolutely necessary to relate to the Under-30 crowd, but I can see where it could provide a way to communicate the transformative power of Jesus to the MTV generation. Beyond worship, they advocate building strong, spiritual individuals to replace the ineffective and energy wasting committee structures of the past. Church leaders become coachs, inspiring rather than directing each individual's ministry. Teams of desciples coalescing around natural leaders who share their vision will do the work of Jesus, rather than the work of the church. This is not a book of instructions, but it does point out the elements necessary to make the kind of transformation they feel is required for the survival of the larger church in the post-Christendom, pre-Christian era. Even if you disagree with the methods that Bandy and Easum suggest, this book will stimulate serious thought and conversation with others in your church community about how we do the work of our Lord.

Authors Easum and Bandy suggest methods and concepts for the growth of churches of the future using the organic metaphor of the redwood tree. The contemporary language used is user-friendly and potentially mentally stimulating. It reflects the author's in-depth knowledge of the most recent cultural changes affecting, to varying degrees, each church. The approach is outreach oriented while suggesting that spiritual redwoods are not born or built but grown. Far and away the best, and longest, chapter of the book is the author's discussion of indigenous worship and the role such worship plays in church growth. I suggest purchasing the book because of this chapter. Unfortunately the authors' suggestions and analysis are often simplistic. While they say they value diversity and a multiplicity of options for growing churches, apparently not included in either are the practices and conceptuality of what they label "declining" (read "traditional") churches. They also pit spirituality, experience, and communities as the positive polar opposites of that which they label as negative: dogma, understanding, and institutions. Do these have to be opposites? Are the latter negative? A wise philosopher once said, "It is more important that a proposition be interesting than it be true....but truth adds interest." The insights which emerge out of this interesting book may allow the reader to discover truths the authors have either overlooked or dismissed in addition to those that have been plainly presented.

Easum does an outstanding job of stretching even contemporary churches to think outside the box yet one more time. Chapter 4 holds particular value for imagineering what future church service design might look like. For those in traditional settings this may be a bit discouraging, for the church on the edge this is grist for the creative design team. I read 120-150 books a year and this is one of the best on church ministry models I have read in the last 3 years. I bought 15 copies for staff, and key leaders. Thanks Bill Easum