It is a familiar experience. A congregation that had been growing in numbers and spiritual vitality reaches a plateau and then begins to decline. Most of the time, the plateau occurs long before the church arrives at the optimum number of members it hoped to attract. What has happened here? Why does growth slow down, stop, and then decline? The real question to ask, says Bob Whitesel, is why the church grew in the first place. Most of the time young, growing churches make a series of decisions based not upon careful planning and analysis, but rather upon necessity and intuition. Thus these decisions are not planned strategies, but strategies that often occur by accident, owing their genesis to circumstance. These unplanned strategic decisions are driven not by knowledge, but often simply by the church's environment. When that growth slows, these same churches begin to engage in more careful planning. The problem is that this planning so often ignores the considerations and decisions that led to the church's growth to begin with. The result is stagnation and eventual decline. In the plain, direct style that is his hallmark, Whitesel lays out where churches go wrong in their planning for growth and how they can correct themselves. He does so by looking at three related phenomena: first, the factors that cause initial growth; second, the erroneous decisions that lead to getting stuck on the plateau; and finally, corrective steps that churches can take to regain growth and vitality.

Growth by Accident, Death by Planning: How Not to Kill a Growing Congregation

Religion & Spirituality

Bob Whitesel

Christian Books & Bibles

ABINGDON PRESS *

Generational differences are nothing new in church. There have always been groups and subgroups within a congregation, divided according to age. Yet with the possible exception of their educational programs, congregations have generally practiced a "one-size-fits-all" approach to ministry and worship. Whichever group is dominant-generally the older members, although it can be the younger-sets the tone for musical styles, preaching emphases, and outreach focus. Frequently the non-dominant groups grow restless and dissatisfied, leaving the church to find better opportunities of service and worship elsewhere. The result is often stagnation and decline. Bob Whitesel and Kent R. Hunter wrote this book to provide congregations with a clear understanding of the problems caused by generation gaps as well as to offer ideas for transforming the church into a healthy, growing, tri-generational structure. Key Features: Author recognition; Addresses a very timely issue in a creative way; Offers a specific strategy for implementation in local churches Key Benefits: Readers will gain an understanding of the major differences between the three major age/generational groups in most congregations; Readers will be offered a specific and practical seven step strategy for developing a healthy tri-generational church; Readers will find ways to not only live in peace within the household of faith, but to minister more effectively to community and world

A House Divided: Bridging the Generation Gap in your Church

Politics & Social Sciences

Sociology

Church leadership is a demanding and challenging role. There are many responsibilities involved in leading a church, which can be difficult to maneuver without the proper tools and resources.Written with Bible-based truths and helpful insights, Foundations of Church Administration is both an exploration of those responsibilities and a practical guide to navigating through them. Each chapter is authored by a notable expert in the field who, with sound experience and effective steps, helps church leaders efficiently succeed in the many facets of their responsibilities.In this honest exploration, church leaders will find a new perspective on church administration that will help them dig deeper and develop a long-lasting and effective practice of leading and administrating a church.

Foundations of Church Administration: Professional Tools for Church Leadership

Bruce L Petersen

Edward A. Thomas

Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City

Many churches resist change because they fear that changing methodologies will require a change in core beliefs or values. Whitesel explodes that myth by offering conclusive evidence that God himself frequently changes the methods by which he deals with people without changing his holy character. This practical guide is designed to be used by church leaders with their boards as a tool for negotiating needed changes. The author compellingly makes the case that new methodology can and must be embraced without altering a churchs beliefs or mission. He then offers a series of exercises to be undertaken jointly by church leaders that will result in the production of a master plan for managing change effectively in the local church.

Preparing for Change Reaction: How to Introduce Change in Your Church

Wesleyan Publishing House

Bob Whitesel, one of the church's foremost experts on leadership, growth, and change, offers help for pastors and congregation leaders who struggle to develop effective strategies for reaching today's generation with the good news of Jesus Christ. This book defines and describes the journey most people in our postmodern culture follow as they move from a lack of awareness of the gospel through conversion to spiritual maturity. Whitesel identifies distinct stages or ""waypoints"" in this journey and helps church leaders understand how to guide seekers in taking the next step from where they are. Filled with interviews and personal stories from Shane Claiborne, Dan Kimball, Lauren Winner, Scot McKnight, Sally Morgenthaler, and more, this engaging book will help congregations build on their strengths to develop a comprehensive and holistic strategy for guiding people through the stages of their journey toward spiritual maturity.

Spiritual Waypoints: Helping Others Navigate the Journey

Oksana is on a spiritual journey she never saw coming. There are many paths she can take, but the problem is she doesn't particularly know where she is going . . . she needs to find a waypoint. Author Bob Whitesel follows Oksana's journey, mapping out her life's quest as an allegorical GPS for us as fellow travelers. Through her story, he shows that from wherever you may be coming, there are spiritual coordinates--waypoints we all must realize in order to progress toward becoming the person God made us to be. Oksana will discover for herself that there is a way to becoming an authentically spiritual person. And Whitesel clearly reveals how you, too, can progress along the same way. From the beginning of your life to its end, waypoints will mark your journey. This engaging and thought-provoking book will help you see them, determine where you are, and help you reach your destination.

Waypoint: Navigating Your Spiritual Journey

Wesley Pr

Is there a cure for what ails the common church? God's answer begins with you. Something is not quite right in the local church. Many Christians see the symptoms of decline in fellowship and spiritual vitality. If health and life are indications of growth, their congregation is not well. Unfortunately, the ailing church is becoming the common church. Professor and church growth consultant Bob Whitesel has written Cure for the Common Church to offer potent and proven cures to foster health in their local congregations. By thoughtfully examining Scriptures, he applies truths through real-life experience from his years of consulting. Questions for group study also help members explore and discern together how to become a healthy force in their church. Cure for the Common Church will fan the fires of change and bring health, vitality, and new life to your church!

Cure for the Common Church: God's Plan to Restore Church Health

Does your leadership style fit new ways of doing church--leadership that is organic and elastic and that finds ways to seize God-given opportunities? Looking back and drawing on the ancient Christian tradition, Bob Whitesel describes seven traitsfor successful leadership, which he characterizes by seven symbols:
O (the Greek symbol theta) – the first letter of the Greek word theos stresses that God is the source of the burden for others and provides the power to help them.
Rx (the medical prescription symbol) – an emphasis on addressing the spiritual and physical health of leaders.
G (a stylized “G” for “graffiti”)– the edgy, colorful, and artful collages that help define contemporary organizations.
A (inspired by the recycle symbol) – the idea of recycling places, experiences and people rather than discarding them.
N - emerging networks that connect people more quickly, efficiently, precisely and continuously.
I - an emphasis on “incarnation”, a going “in the flesh” to serve others rather than sending surrogates.
X (the Jerusalem cross with a number in each quadrant) – four types of measurement observed in Jerusalem (Acts 2:42-47), which at their core point to Christ’s work on the cross.
Taken together, thesesymbols spell out the word “organix” and represent a fundamentally new way tothink about your church and how you can best lead.

Organix: Signs of Leadership in a Changing Church

re:MIX: Transitioning Your Church to Living Color is a practical guide for pastors, denominational leaders, and lay leaders who are seeking to transition their monoethnic congregations into healthy multiethnic churches of Christ-centered faith. The book is theologically sound, cross-culturally relevant, and based on field research. It provides transferrable lessons and practices that are applicable in a variety of local church and denominational contexts. Authors Mark DeYmaz and Bob Whitesel demonstrate that such transitions are not just timely or optional. Indeed, these biblically grounded transitions are necessary for churches pursuing growth and health in an increasingly diverse society. By becoming a church of living color, existing or declining churches present a more credible witness of God’s love for all people and can achieve renewed significance and sustainability. re:MIX is full of instructive, immediately useful information in a clear and easy-to-use format and includes sidebar stories from church leaders in a variety of denominations who have transitioned their congregations to living color.

re:MIX: Transitioning Your Church to Living Color

DeYmaz, Mark

Many Christians drift through life never realizing that there is more to faith than attending church. Though they have been baptized, have never experienced the white-hot passion that characterized the lives of the apostle Peter, Martin Luther, and other great leaders throughout history. Follow Dr. Bob Whitesel on a 30-day journey to ignite your passion for sharing the good news, growing deeper in your spiritual life, and impacting the world by loving others. Get Enthusiast and you will-- <ul><li>Discover the childlike faith that will release you from fear of the future.</li><li>Embrace the accountability of a small group, strengthening you to say no to sin.</li><li>Come to see all people as God's children, arousing your passion for social justice.</li><li>Gain enthusiasm for sharing your faith, making a direct impact on your community.</li><li>Finally embrace the purpose for which you were created </li></ul>

Enthusiast!: Finding a Faith That Fills

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bob Whitesel. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Bob Whitesel