Following are resources related to each of the eight qualities of Natural Church Development. Not all resources are written from a Natural Church Development perspective (that is, incorporating the six biotic principles). However, each has value in helping to develop greater strength in that quality. Some descriptions below are taken from Releasing Your Church's Potential. Some descriptions under "Inspiring Worship are provided by Ron Sprunger. For more resources on evangelism/church growth related topics, visit the following Internet sites: www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org;  http://www.ChurchSmart.com; and www.CoachNet.org.

The following resources apply to all eight characteristics and include biotic principles for each characteristic:

Logan, Robert E., and Thomas T. Clegg, with Jeanette Buller

1998 Releasing Your Church's Potential: A Natural Church Development Resource Kit. Carol Stream, Ill.: ChurchSmart Resources. $95.00 retail (but usually available at a reduced price from The Brethren Church, 524 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805).

Schwarz, Christian A., and Christoph Schalk

1998 Implementation Guide to Natural Church Development. Carol Stream, Ill.: ChurchSmart Resources. $15.00 retail.

The Eight Quality Characteristics

Empowering Leadership

Gift-oriented Ministry

Passionate Spirituality

Functional Structures

Inspiring Worship Service

Holistic Small Groups

Need-oriented Evangelism

Loving Relationships

Barna, George

1996 Turning Vision into Action. Ventura: Regal Books.

Barna moves beyond his original book on vision (The Power of Vision. Ventura: Regal Books, 1992) to help leaders examine their personal vision. He looks at the lives of biblical and contemporary people to illustrate how God's vision for your life can make a difference.

Clinton, J. Robert, and Richard W. Clinton

1992 Connecting: The Mentoring Relationships You Need to Succeed in Life. Colorado Springs: NavPress.

The authors identify a variety of types of mentoring relationships each person needs throughout life. This book is especially valuable for anyone who is mentoring another person or is being mentored by someone else (this should be everyone!).

Covey, Steven R.

1989 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Restoring the Character Ethic. New York: Fireside.

Though Covey is a Mormon, his insights into a principle-centered approach to personal and professional problem-solving is widely regarded. He challenges his readers to first be a person of character and then to act with integrity. His second "habit" of beginning with the end in mind is especially helpful for writing a personal mission statement. His other "habits" are: be proactive (personal vision); put first things first (personal management); think win/win (interpersonal leadership); seek first to understand, then to be understood (empathetic communication); synergize (creative cooperation); and sharpen the saw (balanced self-renewal).

Finzel, Hans

1994 The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make. Wheaton: Victor Books.

Some of the "mistakes" that Finzel identifies are: top-down attitude, dirty delegation, putting paperwork before people, missing the culture clues, no room for mavericks, success without successors, and failure to focus on the future.

Goetz, David L., gen. ed.

1998 Building Church Leaders: Your Complete Guide to Leadership Training. Carol Stream, Ill.: Christianity Today, Inc./Leadership Journal.

This extensive loose-leaf resource includes 150 one- and two-page reproducible handouts for use in personal, board, and leadership education. It includes material on twelve themes, including assessing church needs, character of a leader, reaching people, church health, spiritual care, and handling conflicts. Materials for each theme include an interview, assessment tools, case studies, devotionals, how-to articles, and cartoons.

Logan, Robert E., and Neil Cole

1995 Raising Leaders for the Harvest. Carol Stream, Ill.: ChurchSmart Resources.

This resource introduces the concept of leadership farm systems, an organic process of leadership development which results in natural and spontaneous multiplication of disciples, groups, ministries, and churches. Beginning with basic discipleship through life transformation groups and concluding with developing church planters, Logan and Cole show local pastors how to become empowering leaders. Comes with six audio tapes, worksheets, and checklists of practical steps.

Malphurs, Aubrey

1996 Values-Driven Leadership. Grand Rapids: Baker Books.

Core values are a little understood yet vital ingredient in successful organizations. Malphurs helps define values, impressing on the reader the critical need to discern one's core values and then gives steps for discovering them. Clarification of values is particularly helpful to leaders and churches in transition and that are re-evaluating their mission and vision.

1997 Ministry Nuts and Bolts: What They Don't Teach Pastors in Seminary. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications.

Malphurs combines insights on mission, vision, values, and strategy that he presents in more detail in other books. This book is particularly useful to churches that are re-evaluating their God-given calling and direction.

McNeal, Reggie

1998 Revolution in Leadership: Training Apostles for Tomorrow's Church. Nashville: Abingdon Press.

The author combines two contemporary organizational concepts—systems thinking with learning organizations—to describe a powerful approach to empowering leaders and congregation members for ministry. Following five chapters in which he outlines the concepts, the author examines four skills every leader must master: paradigm issues, leadership micro-skills, resource management, and leader as a person. Included in each of these chapters are suggestions how to practice these skills in a learning organization. This book is highly recommended!

Miller, Calvin

1995 The Empowering Leader: 10 Keys to Servant Leadership. Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers.

Miller looks at ten key areas that Christian leaders need to master to become servant leaders, using the leadership of King David to illustrate his points. Each chapter contains illustrated "short lists" of important understandings that preach well and clearly communicate the essence of the chapter.

Mundey, Paul

1997 Unlocking Church Doors: 10 Keys to Positive Change. Nashville: Abingdon Press.

Founding director of The Andrew Center and Church of the Brethren pastor Mundey provides practical suggestions to the pastor who wants to serve as an agent of change in the local congregation. Highly recommended.

Murren, Doug

1994 Leadershift: How to Lead Your Church into the 21st Century by Managing Change. Ventura: Regal Books.

A good primer on leading change, Murren looks at paradigms and the implications they have for ministry and bringing about change. Chapter 10 includes 13 guidelines and 12 steps or principles for introducing and managing change.

Ogne, Steven L., and Tom Nebel

1995 Empowering Leaders through Coaching. Carol Stream, Ill.: ChurchSmart Resources.

This self-study resource manual is for those who mentor volunteer leaders, pastors, and church planters. It includes instruction, action planning guides, and worksheets to help you increase your effectiveness as a coach.

Quinn, Robert E.

1996 Deep Change: Discovering the Leader Within. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

This book is not written from an avowedly Christian perspective, but the author focuses on the need for organizational change to begin with personal change.

Weems, Lovett H.

Bugbee, Bruce

1995 What You Do Best in the Body of Christ: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts, Personal Style, and God-Given Passion. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House.

The author presents in book form the concepts behind the Network training resource (see below).

Ford, Paul R.

1993 Unleash Your Church. Commended to the Word (408-688-2568).

Ford recommends using existing Sunday schools or small groups to teach about spiritual gifts. Part One explains seven principles for mobilizing spiritual gifts. Part Two outlines seven steps to make it happen in your church. Part Three includes training material for ministry mentors (gift consultants) and for use in small groups. Gift tests and other forms are also provided. Companion guides for ministry mentors and participants can be purchased separately. It has all the necessary information for church leaders who want to implement a movement to mobilize spiritual gifts and connect people to appropriate ministries. Being sensitive to churches who do or don't encourage the "sign" gifts, participant guides come in two versions.

1999 Discovering Your Ministry Identity. Carol Stream, Ill.: ChurchSmart Resources.

The author provides a comprehensive tool to help people discover their spiritual gifts. He also addresses issues about their values, team style, and personal discipleship. The book includes a broad range of assessment tools.

Fortune, Don and Katie

1987 Discovering Your God-given Gifts. Grand Rapids: Chosen Books.

The authors begin by describing three categories of gifts in scripture: the manifestation gifts (1 Corinthians 12), the ministry gifts (Ephesians 4), and the motivational gifts (Romans 12). The remainder of the book looks in-depth at the seven motivational gifts. They suggest that the gifts in Romans 12 are "motivational" in that they underlie the way we operate as well as which roles we find fulfilling. They contend that everyone has at least one motivational gift.

Readers are led to discover how their own spiritual gifts affect their thinking, actions, and relationships, and how they might best use those gifts in ministry. It follows a workbook format.

Ogden, Greg

1990 The New Reformation: Returning the Ministry to the People of God. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House.

The author contends that the Reformation was incomplete because it did not fully implement the priesthood of all believers. In Part 1 he contrasts the church as organism with the church as institution and presents biblical support for the former. In Part 2 he describes the role of the pastor as an equipper of believers for ministry. The final part addresses the role of servant leadership in the "New Reformation." This book would be especially helpful to pastors or congregations stuck in the hierarchical paradigm but who are open to spreading the ministry among the people.

Tillapaugh, Frank

1985 Unleashing the Church: Getting People Out of the Fortress and into Ministry. Ventura: Regal Books.

The author describes in detail how his congregation has mobilized lay persons for ministry, both in the church and in the community.

Wagner, C. Peter

1994 Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow. Ventura: Regal Books.

The author believes that spiritual gifts have been given to persons in the church for the purpose of extending the kingdom of God. He describes 27 gifts and how they function in the church to help it grow. It includes the Wagner-Modified Houts Spiritual Gifts inventory.

Bugbee, Bruce; Don Cousins; and Bill Hybels

1994 Network. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House.

Network provides a comprehensive system for training people to understand and discover their spiritual gifts, personal style, and God-given passion, and then provides the framework for helping them put their discoveries into practical application in ministry. It starts with the person and his/her gifts instead of starting with the church's program and needs.

Network is for churches who want to do more than just have people discover their gifts. It is for those who want to re-evaluate the way their church is empowering people for ministry and are ready to make the necessary changes to see people mobilized according to their spiritual gifts. It includes two video tapes; leader, consultant, and participant guides; and an implementation guide for designing a system for your church.

Park Street Brethren Church is currently using Network. Contact the church or Ronald W. Waters for more information.

Lawson, Dan

1995 Living Sacrifice: A Whole Person Approach to Lay Ministry. Leader’s Guide. Ashland, Ohio: Petros Ministries.

Living Sacrifice is built on a model similar to Network but uses the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. It also includes a special emphasis on applying lay ministry through cell groups. This self-contained leader’s guide includes sections on the following: Our Spiritual Gifts, The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, The Living Sacrifice Model, and The Living Sacrifice Implementation Manual. The guide also includes reproducible student handouts and templates for making overhead transparencies. Audio cassettes of the presentations in the leader’s guide are also available or may be purchased with the guide as a discounted package. Lawson is a former pastor and is currently Director of Congregational Ministries for The Brethren Church. For more information, call 1-877-289-1708.

Rehnborg, Sarah Jane, et.al.

Blackaby, Henry T., and Claude V. King

1990 Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God. Nashville: LifeWay Press.

The "original" edition of Experiencing God that has been acclaimed by persons from nearly every denominational background, now in its 13th printing. It is designed for a 13 week study with activities for five days a week. It is perfectly suited for a mentoring relationship and would also make an excellent Sunday school or small group study. Video tapes and leader's materials are also available. Highly recommended.

1994 Experiencing God: How to Live the Full Adventure of Knowing and Doing the Will of God. Nashville: Broadman & Holman.

A reordering into book form and an expansion of the material in the original Experiencing God workbook (above). It does not correlate directly with the workbook and can be used independently.

Clinton, J. Robert, and Richard W. Clinton

1991 The Mentor Handbook. Altadena, Calif.: Barnabas Publications.

The authors describe nine different kinds of mentors who will help to guide our ministry development. It will help leaders be better mentors for others and to find personal mentors.

Foster, Richard J.

1978 Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. San Francisco: HarperCollins.

This book, now in its twentieth year of publication, has become a modern-day classic on spiritual disciplines. Foster groups spiritual disciplines in three categories: inward disciplines (meditation, prayer, fasting, study), outward disciplines (simplicity, solitude, submission, service), and corporate disciplines (confession, worship, guidance, celebration).

1992 Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home. San Francisco: HarperCollins.

Foster examines in depth 21 types of prayer in three categories: 1) moving inward: seeking the transformation we need; 2) moving upward: seeking the intimacy we need; and 3) moving outward: seeking the ministry we need.

Martin, Glen, and Dian Ginter

1994 Power House: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Church that Prays. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

This book focuses on building prayer within the life of the congregation.

1995 Drawing Closer. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

This book will help readers discover which of six different levels of spirituality corresponds with their lives and offers specific guidance for that level. May be used for personal or group study or with a spiritual mentor.

Maxwell, John

1996 Partners in Prayer. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

The author offers practical suggestions to help pastors build a team of prayer intercessors.

Miller, John C.

1996 Outgrowing the Ingrown Church. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Churches with passionate spirituality draw newcomers. The author assesses the attitudes and actions that keep a church looking inward instead of outward. This book shows how passionate spirituality, first of the pastor and then of the members, affects the church's witness. It includes action steps at the end of each chapter.

Ortberg, John

1997 The Life You've Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

The author, one of the teaching pastors at Willow Creek Community Church, calls his book "Dallas for Dummies" ("Dallas" referring to Dallas Willard, below), but don't let this humorous comment deter you from the practical and insightful material it contains.

Peace, Richard

1996 Spiritual Disciplines Series. Colorado Springs: NavPress.

This series includes five books on four themes: story, pilgrimage, community, and discipline. Each book includes several small group sessions (including a leader's guide) and several chapters of valuable reading. The books in the series may be used individually or in succession. Individual titles are: Book One—Spiritual Journaling: Recording Your Journey toward God; Book Two—Spiritual Storytelling: Discovering and Sharing Your Spiritual Autobiography; Book Three—Contemplative Bible Reading: Experiencing God Through Scripture; Book Four—Meditative Prayer: Entering God's Presence; and Book Five—Spiritual Transformation: Taking on the Character of Christ.

Smith, James Bryan, and Richard J. Foster

1993 A Spiritual Formation Workbook: Small Group Resources for Nurturing Christian Growth. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco. $9.00 paper.

This workbook is also well suited for mentor relationships and for small group study.

Wagner, C. Peter

1993 Churches That Pray. Ventura, Calif.: Regal Books.

One of a series of books on prayer by one of the spokespersons for the Church Growth Movement, this book concentrates on building upon a congregation's prayer life.

Walling, Terry B.

1996 Focused Living Resource Kit: Tapes, Coaching Resources, and Workbooks for the Focused Living Personal Development Process. Carol Stream, Ill.: ChurchSmart Resources.

A personal development process to help believers bring strategic focus to their lives and ministry. It includes three self-discovery workbooks: Perspective: developing a personal timeline of past experiences, Focus: developing a personal mission statement, and Mentoring: identifying resources that will facilitate future growth and effectiveness. The resource kit includes a leader's guide, six audio cassettes to help in walking others through the process, and the three self-discovery workbooks (available individually).

Whitney, Donald S.

1991 Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs: NavPress. A study guide is also available.

Following an introductory chapter on the purpose of spiritual disciplines ("for the purpose of Godliness"), the author devotes a chapter to each of the following disciplines (several of them unique among spiritual discipline books): Bible intake (two parts), prayer, worship, evangelism, serving, stewardship, fasting, silence and solitude, journaling, and learning. He concludes with a chapter on "perseverance in the disciplines."

Willard, Dallas

Carver, John

1997 Boards that Make a Difference: A New Design for Leadership in Nonprofit and Public Organizations. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Though addressed to not-for-profit organizations in general, the author's insights into board organization and responsibilities have many applications in the church. He identifies policy-making as the board's primary responsibility, with emphasis on four areas: 1) ends to be achieved, 2) means to the ends, 3) board-staff relationship, and 4) the process of governance itself. It is a challenging but fruitful book.

Drucker, Peter F.

1990 Managing the Non-profit Organization:Practices and Principles. New York: HarperCollins.

The author has spent most of his career helping business organize themselves for effective management. In more recent years, he has turned much of his attention to applying those principles to not-for-profit organizations, including churches. Building on a series of interviews with leaders of not-for-profit organizations, he explains and gives examples on mission, leadership, resources, marketing, goals, people-developement, and decision-making in an environment where effective service, not money, is the bottom line.

George, Carl

1994 The Coming Church Revolution: Empowering Leaders for the Future. Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell.

The author provides a tool to analyze any church structure. Much like an X-ray, he shows how different systems of the church are related, where problems might arise, and where systems are deficient or missing. Each of the six zones is analyzed for the leadership needed, its contribution to the whole, and how it interacts with other zones. This book is especially helpful for church leaders who are re-evaluating the structure and effectiveness of their church and who want to empower lay leaders for real, effective ministry.

Goodwin, Steven J.

1999 Catching the Next Wave: Leadership Strategies for Turn-Around Congregations. Minneapolis: Augsburg-Fortress Press.

This book is one of the better descriptions of a renewal process for local churches, combining the concepts of church growth, church health, systems, and organizational life cycles. The author addresses such topics as creating a vision for mission; connecting ministry with needs; motivating lay leadership; and implementing a mission plan. In the process, he describes how congregations should be understood from a systems perspective and how to help those systems work together.

Herrington, Jim; Mike Bonem; and James H. Furr

2000 Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

The authors have implemented this process with hundreds of Southern Baptist congregations in the Houston area. It combines a good mix of theory and practical application. It is especially recommended because of the emphasis on "spiritual and relational vitality" if a change effort is to be successful. An accompanying workbook with the same title includes helpful worksheets and activities.

Logan, Robert F., and Larry Short

1994 Mobilizing for Compassion: Moving People into Ministry. Grand Rapids: Baker Books.

This book is a practical, how-to guide for starting and operating effective compassion ministries in the church. It gives specific instruction on gaining a godly vision for ministry, becoming equipped to fulfill God's purpose in your life, and gathering and leading an effective team which shares your vision.

Morris, Linus J.

1993 The High Impact Church: A Fresh Approach to Reaching the Unchurched. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Christian Associates International (1-818-865-1816).

The author makes the case that a new kind of church is needed to reach the unchurched. He then looks at the core values that undergird such a church. The second half looks at how such a church would be organized for maximum impact and unlimited growth through the multiplication of disciples, leaders, groups, and systems. Readers are challenged not only to evaluate their church's present effectiveness but also to begin making changes necessary to impact the surrounding culture. Various chapters will be useful in evaluating a church's effectiveness in corresponding ministries/programs.

Petersen, Jim

1992 Church without Walls. Colorado Springs: NavPress.

The author takes a historical look at the church and shows how it has repeatedly gotten stuck in, and broken out of, traditionalism which has stiffled its effectiveness. He challenges the church today to move beyond self-defined boundaries with their corresponding forms and structures to allow the Christ-defined function of the church to inform and transform the methodology used.

Schwarz, Christian A.

1999 Paradigm Shift in the Church: How Natural Church Development Can Transform Theological Thinking. Carol Stream, Ill.: ChurchSmart Resources.

The author examines the theological underpinnings that positively or negatively impact church organizational structures. This book is translated from German, so it is a bit challenging reading at times. However, the investment of time reading and digesting its content is well worth the effort to understanding why church structures often do not function properly. Highly recommended.

Senge, Peter M.

1990 The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. New York: Doubleday/Currency.

Organizations of the 90s need to reinvent and shape themselves as organizations that are constantly learning and adapting. The author explains the levels of leadership by showing that leaders are designers, teachers, and stewards. Addressed primarily to the business world, it offers helpful insights for church leaders as well.

Snyder, Howard A.

1996 Radical Renewal: The Problem of Wineskins Today. Houston: TOUCH Publications.

The author updates his book from the 1970s to provide a refreshing, honest look at the church today. He asks how the church should structure itself to hold the fresh wine of the Spirit, looking closely at the implications of Scripture for roles and structures. One conclusion is that small groups are vital to the life of the church which wants to live out a radical Christianity.

Warren, Rick

Eskew, Harry, and Hugh R. McElrath

1995 Sing with Understanding. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

The title of this text reflects the desire of the authors to facilitate the heartfelt singing of hymns. This is done by drawing attention to the rich content of the words. The various musical styles of the hymns are also considered.

Hayford, Jack

1987 Worship His Majesty. Nashville: Word.

The author explores the meaning of worship through study of biblical worshippers and through his own pilgrimage of learning. This book is also helpful for training new worship leaders or for leading a seminar in your church for those who want to understand worship more fully.

Hustad, Donald P.

1993 Jubilate II: Church Music in Worship and Renewal. Carol Stream, Ill.: Hope Publishing Co.

This is a valuable source of biblical and historical information regarding the function of music in worship and evangelism. In this revision of his earlier work, the author gives attention to current issues in church music.

Johansson, Calvin M.

1984 Music & Ministry: A Biblical Counterpoint. Peabody: Hendrckson Publishers, Inc.

This book will challenge your thinking in deeper understanding of the role of music in worship.

Liesch, Barry

1996 The New Worship: Straight Talk on Music and the Church. Grand Rapids: Baker Books.

The author offers resolution to the worship conflicts that short-circuit the work of God. He offers three biblical models that can be used to help the congregation enter into God's presence using either contemporary music or hymns. His writing is perceptive, thought-provoking, and inspiring. For an overview of the material, see the author's web page: http://www.worshipinfo.com.

Martin, Ralph P.

1974 Worship in the Early Church. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

This older work is rich in scriptural content and will contribute much to understanding of historical worship practices.

Morgenthaler, Sally

1995 Worship Evangelism. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House.

The author's thesis is that quality worship draws people to the Lord. Her approach shows sensitivity to seekers while at the same time striving for depth. The book includes interviews with leaders of four contemporary churches that help the reader catch a vision of true worship that draws in the outsider. The book also includes practical helps for orders of service, songs and where to find them, conferences on worship, and worship magazines.

Spencer, Donald A.

1992 Hymn and Scripture Selection Guide: A Cross-Reference Tool for Worship Leaders. Grand Rapids: Baker Books.

The author provides an exhaustive treatment of the scriptural content of hymns. Part One lists hymn titles with several scripture references for each title. Part Two is a listing of scripture with related hymn titles. The book also includes a topical index and an index of hymns. This is a must for pastors and worship leaders.

Sprunger, Ronald L

1998 Want to Play by Ear? A Step-by-Step Approach. Ashland, Ohio: Bookmasters, Inc.

This book is for keyboard musicians who would like to be free to express without being bound to the written music. This is accomplished by analyzing the chords we hear and play and by applying them in different keys and in different music styles. A CD and MIDI file are included. The author offers discounts on orders placed by churches or bookstores (419-289-5167 or rsprunge@ashland.edu).

Towns, Elmer

1997 Putting an End to Worship Wars. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

The author describes research regarding worship differences and discusses why worship is such a controversial issue in churches today. He then describes six worship paradigms (evangelistic church, Bible expositional church, renewal church, body life church, liturgical church, and congregational church). He concludes with nineteen observations and five suggestions to help prevent a worship war in your church.

Webber, Robert E.

Arnold, Jeffrey

1992 The Big Book on Small Groups. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.

In the first four chapters (which may be used as a training program in small groups), the author focuses on the basic purposes/priorities of small groups and how to lead them. The remaining chapters focus on seven aspects of community: caring, dynamics, study, worship, prayer, evangelism, and mission-orientation. A final chapter offers help on structuring small group ministry.

1998 Small Group Outreach: Turning Groups Inside Out. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.

Arnold highlights specific outreach ideas in which any small group can engage, from praying for unchurched friends to going on a short-term mission trip together.

Becker, Palmer

1993 Called to Care: A Training Manual for Small Group Leaders. Scottdale, Pa: Herald Press.

1993 Called to Equip: A Training and Resource Manual for Pastors. Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press.

These two manuals, written by a Mennonite, are how-to manuals offering practical suggestions for training leaders and establishing a small group ministry.

Beckham, William A.

1995 The Second Reformation: Reshaping the Church for the 21st Century. Houston: TOUCH Publications.

The author gives the theological and ecclesiological underpinnings to the cell-church. In the second part he outlines a process for transitioning to a cell-based church.

Galloway, Dale

1995 The Small Group Book: A Practical Guide for Nurturing Christians and Building Churches. Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell.

The author used small groups to build a large congregation in Portland. He is one of the widely recognized leaders in small group ministry today.

Gleason, Michael

1996 Building on Living Stones: New Testament Patterns and Principles of Renewal. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications.

The author, currently director of religious life at Ashland University, writes out of his experience as associate pastor at Park Street Brethren Church in Ashland, Ohio. Following an introductory section on biblical principles of renewal, he offers chapters on renewal through small groups, through support groups and outreach ministries, and through the adult Sunday school. About 40% of the book is devoted to sample worksheets, forms, and promotional ideas.

George, Carl F.

1991 Prepare Your Church for the Future. Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell.

The author lays out the rationale and process for establishing a meta-church approach to small groups. This book is thorough with much methodological input.

1997 Nine Keys to Effective Small Group Leadership. Mansfield, Pa.: Kingdom Publishing.

The author begins with the assumption that healthy small groups should provide nurturing relationships in the presence of Jesus Christ, should invite others to faith in Christ, and should reproduce new leaders so new groups can be formed. He then addresses nine key concepts. I highly recommend this book for building commitment to small groups and for training leaders.

Mack, Michael C.

1996 The Synergy Church: A Strategy for Integrating Small Groups and Sunday School. Grand Rapids: Baker Books.

The author contends that both Sunday school and small groups have important roles to play in the local church and that together they provide a potent force for the congregation. He includes suggestions on how the Sunday school may be retooled to work in a synergistic way with small groups.

McBride, Neal F.

1995 How to Build a Small Groups Ministry. Colorado Springs: NavPress.

The author lays out twelve steps for organizing and administering a small group ministry. The book includes a case study featuring a local church in the process of establishing such a ministry. It also includes many worksheets that are useful for developing your own specific plan for small groups.

Neighbour, Ralph W., Jr.

1990 Where Do We Go from Here? A Guidebook for the Cell Group Church. Houston: TOUCH Publications.

1994 The Shepherd's Guidebook: Spiritual and Practical Foundations for Cell Group Leaders. Rev. ed. Houston: TOUCH Publications.

In the first book, the author lays to foundation for seeing cell groups as the church, while in the second he provides small group leader training. While helpful to many churches, the concepts require more radical changes than most congregations will endure.

Scazzero, Peter

1991 Introducing Jesus: Starting an Investigative Bible Study for Seekers. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.

This book is a bit short on content, but it does lay out principles for evangelistic Bible studies. It does include six sample Bible study outlines.

Snyder, Howard A.

1996 Radical Renewal: The Problem of Wineskins Today. Houston: TOUCH Publications.

This is an update of an earlier, popular book on church renewal, with emphasis on small groups.

Wuthnow, Robert

Arnold, Jeffrey

1998 Small Group Outreach: Turning Groups Inside Out. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.

Arnold highlights specific outreach ideas in which any small group can engage, from praying for unchurched friends to going on a short-term mission trip together.

Barna, George

1995 Evangelism That Works: How to Reach Changing Generations with the Unchanging Gospel. Ventura: Regal Books.

Barna draws on his research of evangelistically effective congregations to share ideas and insights for congregations who want to increase their outreach.

Bernhard, Fred, and Steve Clapp

2005 Widening the Welcome of Your Church: Biblical Hospitality and the Vital Congregation. 4th ed. Fort Wayne, IN: New Life Ministries.

Bernhard's rural Church of the Brethren congregation experienced significant growth when it implemented an intentional application of the principles contained in this book.

Celek, Tim, and Deiter Zander

1996 Inside the Soul of a New Generation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House.

Both authors have started churches aimed primarily at reaching the baby buster generation (those born from 1965-1983). They offer practical insights into the thinking of younger adults that will be useful to congregations interested in reaching this generation.

Clapp, Steve, and Sam Detwiler

1996 Sharing Living Water: Evangelism as Caring Friendship. Elgin, Ill.: The Andrew Center. Available from New Life Ministries (1-800-774-3360).

The authors emphasize a relational approach to sharing the good news of faith with special emphasis on individuals and groups who are sometimes ignored by the church.

Ford, Kevin Graham

1995 Jesus for a New Generation: Putting the Gospel in the Language of the Xers. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.

Through a fictional story and an examination of culture, Ford describes the baby buster generation and how best to reach younger people.

Hunter, George G., III

1996 Church for the Unchurched. Nashville: Abingdon Press.

Hunter defines what it means to be an "apostolic church": one that reaches contemporary society in the same manner as the church in the first century. He includes ten defining characteristics of an apostolic church and ten principles and ten methods for reaching the lost. This and the following title by Hunter are especially helpful as background reading for pastors and lay leaders in outreach.

1992 How to Reach Secular People. Nashville: Abingdon Press.

The author draws on his own experience in reaching secular people and on research by others. He examines the process pre-Christians go through in order to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Hybels, Bill, and Mark Mittleberg.

1994 Becoming a Contagious Christian. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House.

The authors draw off of their experience in helping "irreligious people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ" through Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago. Especially helpful are identification of six personal styles of evangelism—one or more of which will fit most any Christian.

Kendrick, Graham, and Steve Hawthorne

1993 Prayerwalking. Lake Mary, Fla.: Creation House.

Prayerwalking—praying "on site with insight" is one approach to preparing a community for effective evangelistic outreach.

Kennedy, D. James, and Thomas H. Stebbins

1996 Evangelism Explosion: Equipping Churches for Friendship, Evangelism, Discipleship, and Healthy Growth. 4th ed. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers.

This is the fourth edition of an evangelism training method that has shown staying power. The latest edition incorporates some emphasis on friendship evangelism. Some find this approach a bit stilted, but many churches have used it successfully.

Kramp, John

1995 Out of Their Faces and into Their Shoes: How to Understand Spiritually Lost People and Give Them Directions to God. Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers.

The author uses the analogy of being physically lost to help readers understand what it means to be spiritually lost. He offers 24 laws of "lostology" that serve as principles for evangelism. Very useful for lay reading or small group studies.

Rainer, Thom

1996 Effective Evangelistic Churches: Successful Churches Reveal What Works and What Doesn't. Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers.

The author highlights what generally traditional but evangelistically effective Southern Baptist congregations are doing to reach people for Christ.

Sjögren, Steve

1993 Conspiracy of Kindness: A Refreshing New Approach to Sharing the Love of Jesus with Others. Ann Arbor: Vine Books.

The author, pastor of the Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati, gives practical instructions on how to conduct "servant evangelism." This is an approach to sowing the seeds of the good news in which any Christian could participate. Perhaps most helpful is an appendix full of many practical projects that could be used by groups or even one or two individuals.

Strobel, Lee

1993 Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary: How to Reach Friends and Family Who Avoid God and the Church. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House.

The author, a former agnostic and now one of the teaching pastors at Willow Creek Community Church, offers detailed insights into the attitudes, opinions, and objections of secular people (especially baby boomers).

Becoming a Contagious Christian Video Training Course. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995.

Arn, Win; Carroll Nyquist; and Charles Arn

1986 Who Cares about Love: How to Bring Together the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. Monrovia, Calif.: Church Growth, Inc.

Though an older book, it incorporates research into how loving Christians are with one another and with others in their communities. A video-based training course is also available for use in adult Sunday school classes and small groups (see below).

Bernhard, Fred, and Steve Clapp

2005 Widening the Welcome of Your Church: Biblical Hospitality and the Vital Congregation. 4th ed. Fort Wayne, IN: New Life Ministries.

The authors offer practical suggestions based on biblical principles and living experiences on how congregations may become more hospitable to outsiders and help them become insiders to the church and to the Christian faith. Bernhard's rural Oakland Church of the Brethren in west central Ohio that put these principles into effect and experienced dramatic growth . . . not to speak of the increased love and warmth among people already in the congregation. The book incorporates a leader’s guide for group study. Also see the training module, Welcoming New People, below.

Gorman, Julie

1993 Community That Is Christian: A Handbook on Small Groups. Colorado Springs: Chariot/Victor Books.

The first two sections of this book examine the biblical foundations of Christian community and help the reader look at how definitions of community have changed and affected the understanding of community. Sections three and four deal with how community is actually lived out through loving relationships in small groups. It does follow a textbook style making it less suitable for popular reading.

Miller, Herb

1987 How to Build a Magnetic Church. Nashville: Abingdon Press.

The author highlights nine secrets of a magnetic church, with insights into how to apply them in the reader's congregation. It includes time-tested ways to reach out to new people and to hold older ones as well.

Smalley, Gary, and John Trent

1993 The Gift of the Blessing. Rev. ed. of The Blessing. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

The authors point out that every person has an innate need for unconditional love and acceptance—what they call a blessing. If we did not receive it from our parents, it will affect how we live life and respond to other relationships. Churches, and especially small groups, should be places where persons may receive the blessing and find wholeness. This book is helpful for anyone seeking to know how to show God's unconditional love and acceptance of others.

Steinbron, Melvin J.

1987 Can the Pastor Do It Alone? A Model for Preparing Lay People for Lay Pastoring. Ventura: Regal Books.

The implied and emphatic answer is "no"—the centuries-long pattern of clergy doing the pastoring and lay persons receiving it is inadequate to care for the needs of all the people. The author offers practical guidelines on how to train and deploy lay pastors based on his own experience. This would be an excellent book for helping redeploy deacons or to equip others for lay shepherding. Lyle Schaller says, "This may be the best book in print on how to help the laity serve as pastors in the local church."

Stutzman, Ervin R.

1990 Welcome! A Biblical and Practical Guide to Receiving New Members. Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press.

This book contains many ideas on how to help your congregation become more welcoming and open to new people.

Washington, Raleigh, and Glen Kehrein

1993 Breaking Down the Walls: A Model for Reconciliation in an Age of Strife. Chicago: Moody Press.

Out of their personal stories of conflict and reconciliation, the authors share eight important principles for cross-cultural relationships. Though the book focuses on inter-racial relationships, the principles will apply in any relationship that strives to place our Lord at the center.

Welch, Reuben

1990 We Really Do Need Each Other: A Call to Community in the Church. Nashville: Generoux Nelson.

This book is out of print, but if you can get your hands on a copy, it is well worth the effort. The book is an adaptation of a series of messages on the the First Epistle of John.