As the father of a toddler, I have a little experience with change. Change a diaper too often, you create more waste than you eliminate; change a diaper not often enough, and the buildup can be disastrous. Change can be difficult, but it’s necessary and healthy. The same principles apply for the local church, and in Change Your Church for Good, Brad Powell offers useful principles for navigating the waters of change in church life.
Powell directs his message to ministers and lay leaders who are in for the long haul; while emphasizing the need for change, he also reminds that there is a need for process – effective transition does not happen overnight.
Powell’s heart for the gospel shines through clearly as he outlines the rationale and role of change in the local church body. Great care is taken to emphasize the unchanging nature of the Christian message – available redemption from sin through repentance and faith in Christ. But the message must not be confused with the methodology, just as a gift cannot be confused with the wrapper, and Christians must be cautious not to make their fellowship a members-only club.
It would be easy for a work such as this to degenerate into a “what’s wrong with the church today?” tome, but Powell continuously maintains two optimistic perspectives that must be viewed in harmony: 1. the church is the light of Christ to those in darkness, and 2. Christians in any congregation want to see others embrace Christ as Lord in a meaningful way. That kind of optimism is refreshing and challenging!
If you are a pastor or lay leader, consider reading Change Your Church for Good!
Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book for free from Booksneeze.com, under no obligation to provide a positive review.
