Product Description

Here are 99 topics church leaders need to know! Some say it's the little things that matter the most, but the little details are often what pastors dread the most. Easy-to-understand and humorous, Simply Strategic Stuff equips pastors to perform the administrative details of pastoring with ease, and enthusiasm. Pastors are encouraged to consider basic principles that will help them develop systems and structures for releasing growth, enabling churches to reach their communities and the world for Jesus Christ!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #101110 in Books
• Published on: 2003-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Review
A must-read for senior pastors desiring to understand the 'business' and 'administrative' sides of doing church. -- Doug Slaybaugh, Executive Director, Purpose Drive, 12/04

AT LAST! Someone has written THE book on church management! Clear, accessible, well-indexed, wise, warm, and fun. -- Brian McLaren, Pastor/Author, Fellow in Emergent, 12/04

Every church leader needs the 'stuff' Tim and Tony have packed into this book. These concepts work! -- Kirbyjon Caldwell, Senior Pastor, Windsor Village UMC, 12/04

From the Back Cover
"Whether you are working on Wall Street or leading a church, success requires strategic thinking and solid plans. Every church leader needs the 'stuff' Tim and Tony have packed into this book. These concepts work. I believe Simply Strategic Stuff will help you move from where you are to where you want to be!" -Kirbyjon Caldwell, Senior Pastor, Windsor Village United Methodist Church www.kingdombuilders.com

"AT LAST!" Someone has written THE book on church management! Clear, accessible, well-indexed, wise, warm, and fun (yes, fun), this is the book I wish I had read twenty years ago. I would have avoided lots of mistakes, and enjoyed the journey more too." -Brian McLaren, Pastor, Author, Fellow in Emergent www.emergentvillage.com

"At last! A crowd-favorite workshop at Purpose Driven conferences has now been put into a book for everyone to read. As important as seminary is for ministry, Simply Strategic Stuff delivers an essential component for building a Purpose Driven church. A must-read for senior pastors desiring to understand the 'business' and 'administrative' sides of doing church. This book is LOADED with ideas and principles for developing systems and structures that support a growing church, committed to fulfilling God's purposes. Tim and Tony are two of the best!" -Doug Slaybaugh, Executive Director, Purpose Driven

"A map of the emerging church that does not include this book is not worth a glance. You may not agree with all 99 strategies-I didn't-but 98 out of 99 ain't bad." -Leonard Sweet, Drew Theological School www.preachingplus.com

About the Author
Tim Stevens is the Executive Pastor at Granger Community Church where he has helped the church grow from 400 to more than 4,000 in weekly attendance. He was instrumental in completing Granger's new, interactive children's center that has been featured in many publications for its innovative approach to reaching families. For nearly a decade, Stevens served in various leadership positions with Life Action Ministries, including information technology, resource development, and executive management.

Tony Morgan is the Pastor of Administrative Services at Granger where he has strengthened and developed the administrative departments with creative systems, quality staff, and hundreds of volunteers. He serves on Granger's senior management team where he contributes as a strategic thinker and practical visionary. Morgan also spent nearly ten years serving in local government, most recently as a city administrator in Niles, Michigan, where he oversaw 150 employees and a $20 million budget.

Customer Reviews

99 Proven Church Administrative Tips
Granger Community Church has become a model of health, growth, and innovation. In Simply Strategic Stuff you'll find 99 proven church administration principles, strategies, and ideas. The value of each chapter varies but I'm confident any pastor could find something that would be helpful. A sampling of some of the chapters include:

* Count the cost before hiring a family member
* Visit other churches and steal their stuff
* Never launch a ministry without a leader
* It's easier to hire than to fire
* You can't overcommunicate the vision

Obviously many of these ideas are conventional wisdom or self-evident but even though most are not novel they are good reminders. If your reading time is limited, you can still find time to read a chapter or two every day to help you stay administratively sharp.

More Admistrative than Strategic, but Still Very Good
When I hear the word "strategic" I think more of planning for future ministry. This book focuses on the administration of present ministry. The title issue aside, the content of this book is extremely helpful and practical for both lay and clergy leaders in the church. It can be read through from cover to cover, but its best use would be as a reference to consult in specific situations. The theology here is conservative, while the methodology is very progressive. I'm pleasantly surprised with this little volume!

A Practical Look at Church Management
Senior Pastors, Executive Pastors and others in Church Leadership will benefit from this practical, friendly guide to better church management and leadership. This isn't heavy reading and there is a certain "duh" factor in a lot of the advice, but it both challenges and affirms the reader. This is particularly a good book for a church that may be experiencing the "pains" of rapid growth, transition or renewed focus. It is really quite simple reading and not every chapter is for every person or every church situation. All in all, you'll find it well worth the price of the book if you take away only one idea (but you're sure to get more than one). Watch for some "pragmatism" in a few of the chapters...remember, the ends don't always justify the means.