Book Review: "When God Builds a Church"
Written by Bob Russell, When God Builds a Church is a volume that gives “10 principles for growing a dynamic church.” The book is 10 chapters, plus an introduction and conclusion.
This book was recommended to me about three years ago and I read part of it. To be honest, I don’t remember why I didn’t finish the volume then. Over the past few days, I have been reading the book again. Containing just 284 reading pages, this book can easily be read in a weekend (which is basically what I did).
Bob Russell is the “senior pastor” of the Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. This congregation has grown from about 50 members in the 1960s to over 15,000 at the time of the printing of the book (2000). The book simply gives 10 principles that Southeast tries to focus on as they grow.
Obviously, there is a great amount of “sifting” to do when this book is read. Southeast uses instrumental music (heavily), drama and fund-raisers. There are other differences in doctrine, but this list is enough to show you that some chaff has to be sifted through.
However, the 10 principles are dead on. There are all types of things in the book that every congregation needs to implement. Here are the 10 principles:
- Truth: Proclaim God’s Word as Truth and Apply It to People’s Lives
- Worship: Worship God Every Week in Spirit and Truth (you’ll find quite a bit lacking in the “truth” aspect, but, again, many principles are spot on)
- Leadership: Develop Christ-Centered Leaders Who Lead by Example (a lot is said about example, and needs to be studied by anyone in a leadership position)
- Excellence: Do Your Best in Every Area of Service (Every preacher often says that we need to do things correctly–or with excellence. This chapter is a must-read for every preacher, elder, Bible class teacher, etc.)
- Faith: Be Willing to Step Out with a Bold Faith and Take Risks
- Harmony: Maintain a Spirit of Harmony
- Participation: Expect the Congregation to Participate in Every Ministry
- Fellowship: Continually Practice Agape Love for One Another
- Stewardship: Give Generously of God’s Resources as a Church and as Individuals (while the “capital campaigns” are not a good thing, the principles of this chapter are quite interesting)
- Evangelism: Commit Enthusiastically to Evangelism as Your Primary Mission
The man who recommended this book to me a couple of years ago said that he preached a 10-part series on these, and the congregation was very interested in what was being proclaimed. That might be a good idea.
The book is not expensive, and is well-worth your time. Just have your Bible next to you for some chaff-sifting.
