Leading Beyond the Walls

I read this book about three months before I was the pastor of my own church and I continue to read it twice a year. The reviews that state that "This is how Adam did it" are correct to a certain extent - but that shouldn't stop you from gleaning hundreds of ideas from it. Adam may have had a little support, but there isn't really one thing in here that a denominational or non-denominational new church start-up couldn't do. For that matter, there isn't one thing in here an existing church couldn't learn from and do! This book has change my entire ministry. We are reaching a lot of people, and I give God and Adam the credit! This book is a MUST for any pastor or church leader. He engages the reader immediately, gives you practicle ways to reach out to others, and shares insight that is wonderful. Why are you still reading this review? Spend the time reading this book! I teach marketing workshops and I hand out a free copy to an attendee every time. This book is that good.

This is a powerful book that all ministers and lay people should read. If you don't already want to be a pastor you will by the time the book is over. Adam does a great job explaining how he has been successful at COR and helps others see how they might go about developing and improving their churches for the future.

Adam Hamilton refuses to believe that mainline churches are irrelevant. He challenges us to engage our culture with all of our heart, soul and especially our minds. He says that every church must answer three questions if it wants to reach people for Jesus 1. Why do people need God? 2. Why do people need the church? 3. Why do people need THIS church? He then goes on to share observations on leadership from his persective as a mainline pastor who started a church with four people meeting in a funeral home and now has 7000 in worship. His observations are helpful for churches of every size. He doesn't tell the reader to replicate Church of the Resurrection's ministry, but to look at what they are doing and see if you get any good ideas.

I had the pleasure of attending the Church of the Resurrection (COR) while living in Kansas City. Reverend Hamilton is an amazing pastor and has done incredible work through his congregation. I was "nominally" religious before attending and deeply religious afterwards. His book describes the fundamentals of what has made him and COR so successful in developing a passion for Christ and his teachings -- Steve