Transforming Congregational Culture

This book gives a good overview of the ways in which the mainstream Christian church has had to change or disappear within our changing culture. There are many excellent points made. 75 years ago, the American culture was predominantly Christian. And thus , Chriistianity, and certain things htat went with that were assumed by the "church on main street". What was taken for granted then, about people's needs, and reasons for coming to church cannot be assumed now. Churches arelosing members in most denominations. This book delineates the difference between the Christian era and the post -Christian era in the USA, and speaks of the changes that are needed to inform and transform, and form our mainline Christian churches today. Many of the so called "mega-churches" are growing, precisely because they have figured out what is needed by the people they serve, and how to provide it. Our main line churches need to catch up.

This book is right on the mark with its succinct explanations, layman's language and direction to be taken. It is not an easy road to take, but if we are to retrieve our dying congregations, we must stand and do the work which began most of them in the first place. We were not promised an easy road. However, the road to Christian relevance is one that is not all that difficult when we are traveling together.

This is an excellent book. I have read the book twice. Having been a pastor for over 25 years I can only say I wish I had read this book sooner. What is significant about this book is that it lays out a clear vision of what the mission of the church should be. The book offers a number of excellent ideas though it is not so much a handbook on how to do ministry as it is a vision of what the church should be about. If I were to give a young pastor starting out in the ministry only one book, this would be it.

A no-nonsense analysis of the predicament of and opportunities for old mainline churches as their leaders seek to do faithful ministry in a post-modern American culture.

Another book, similar to some others that I have reviewed, that articulately describes the challenges confronting us in the postmodern world, the ways that congregations need to be transformed, and the leadership skills that are necessary for the task. Robinson argues that we need the following transformations: from worship as talk about God to worship as experience of God; from Christian education to Christian formation; from givers to receivers who give; from board culture to ministry culture; from community organization to faith-based ministry; from democracy to discernment; from budget as end to budget as means; from fellowship to hospitality; and from passive membership growth to active membership growth. Robinson didn't say a whole lot that I thought was new and different from a number of other books I have been reading recently, but on the other hand the more I wrestle with the changing world and the more I read books like this, the greater clarity I achieve about the task that lies ahead, and my role in it.