Take the Next Step: Leading Lasting Change in the Church

Take the Next Step: Leading Lasting Change in the Church, Lovett H. Weems, Jr., Abingdon Press, Nashville TN, 2003. ISBN 0-687-02084-0. From the book cover: Church leaders often hear advocates of change speak in absolute or revolutionary terms—the board must be wiped clean. The problem with such calls for radical change, says Lovett Weems, is that they are not true to the way that genuine and lasting change takes place. Transformational leaders know how to build on the congregation's identity, discovering a bridge from their history to new ministries. They know how to make the story of change the next chapter of the congregation's life, rather than throwing the book away and trying to start over. An astute student of management and leadership theory, Weems offers congregational leaders essential ideas about how they can work with and through their churches' ministries to bring about faithful growth toward the Reign of God. Take the Next Step includes congregational case studies, visual illustrations of key ideas, and a harvest of significant insights from other leadership experts.

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