Reviews
"This is the most courageous book I have ever read on church
life. McNeal nails the problem on the head. Be prepared to be turned
upside down and shaken loose of all your old notions of what church
is and should be in today's world."
George Cladis, senior pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church,
Oklahoma City and author, Leading the Team-Based Church
"With humor and rare honesty Reggie McNeal
challenges church leaders to take authentic Christianity back into
the real world. He's asking the right questions to help us get back
on track."
Tommy Coomes, contemporary Christian music pioneer and record
producer, artist with Franklin Graham Ministries
"Reggie McNeal throws a lifeline to church
leaders who are struggling with consumer-oriented congregations
wanting church for themselves. The Present Future will
recharge you passion."
Rev. Robert R. Cushman, senior pastor, Princeton Alliance Church,
Plainsboro, New Jersey
"Christian leaders will find great questions
being answered in this compelling and motivating work that unwraps
what he calls 'the realities of the present future' in the church
today."
Kelvin Gardiner, district superintendent, Christian and Missionary
Alliance.
"The momentum of God that allows visionary
ministries to experience exponential growth stalls for the lack of
great management (having the right systems and people in place to
move to the next level). This is a must read for the young
entrepreneur at the beginning of ministry or the seasoned pioneer!"
Mike Slaughter, senior pastor, Ginghamsburg United Methodist
Church, Tipp City Ohio
"I would highly recommend this book to any
person interested in the current state of the Church in North
America and the future of that Church. It is time that we pay
attention to the realities of our ministry context and like David's
'Men of Issachar' discern the right path into the future."
Rick E. Morrow, pastoral care coordinator, U.S. Army Special
Operations Command, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina
"This book is a rare find in which McNeal
lovingly challenges the church with a spirit of adventure and
rediscovery."
The Rt. Rev. Charles Jenkins, Bishop, The Episcopal Diocese of
Louisiana
Book Description
In this provocative book, author, consultant, and church leadership
developer Reggie McNeal debunks these and other old assumptions and
provides an overall strategy to help church leaders move forward in
an entirely different and much more effective way. In The Present
Future, McNeal identifies the six most important realities that
church leaders must address including: recapturing the spirit of
Christianity and replacing "church growth" with a wider vision of
kingdom growth; developing disciples instead of church members;
prediction and planning to preparation for the challenges in an
uncertain world. McNeal contends that by changing the questions
church leaders ask themselves about their congregations and their
plans, they can frame the core issues and approach the future with
new eyes, new purpose, and new ideas.
|
