Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, Robert Schnase, Abingdon Press, Nashville TN, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-0-687-64540-4. Radical Hospitality. Passionate Worship. Intentional Faith Development. Risk-Taking Mission and Service. Extravagant Generosity. People are searching for a church shaped and sustained by these qualities. The presence and strength of these five practices demonstrate congregational health, vitality, and fruitfulness. By repeating and improving these practices, churches fulfill their mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ. These fundamental practices are so critical to a congregation's mission that failure to perform them in an exemplary way results in congregational deterioration and decline. This book is designed to assist congregational leaders in holding a mirror to their own ministries in order to ask the questions, "How are we doing in practicing these qualities of ministry in our congregation? In our classes, choirs, small group ministries, mission teams, and leadership circles? How are we practicing these in our own personal discipleship? And how might we do better?" The task of repeating, deepening, extending, teaching, and improving these practices should fill church agendas, guide church boards, and shape leadership training.

Resource Categories

• Discipleship development
  • Getting to know Jesus
  • Getting to know Christianity
  • Discipleship instruction
  • Spiritual Formation
• Evangelism
  • Articulating our faith
  • Sharing our witness
  • Community of Christ missionary resources
• Starting new groups/congregations
• Congregational leadership
• Worship
• Christian education
• Children and Youth Ministry
• Bridging ministry (outreach to people who have become separated from the church)
• Hospitality Ministry
• Community/Neighborhood Involvement
• Internet ministry
• Skills acquisition
• Natural Church Development
• International Christianity