Congregations in Transition: A Guide for Analyzing, Assessing, and Adapting in Changing Communities - Softcover

Dudley, Carl S.; Ammerman, Nancy T.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0787954225 ISBN 13: 9780787954222

Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 2002

Synopsis

This hands-on guide helps congregations meet the reality and challenges of today's constantly changing urban and suburban church communities. Congregations in Transition, written in an easy-to-follow workbook format, is designed to help communities of faith focus on the changing needs of their members and explore the opportunities and options open to them.

About this title

From the Publisher:

"A wonderful, useful book. Here is a chance to take an honest look at what your church was, is, and could be. But be aware: if you just want to tinker with your dysfunctional parts, go elsewhere for advice. Instead, this book provides a sure, compassionate, comprehensive road map for churches willing to plunge into the exciting wilderness that is American life today-a wilderness, by the way, that is teeming with grace and possibilities." --Paul Wilkes, author, Excellent Protestant Congregations: The Guide to Best Places and Practices and Excellent Catholic Parishes: The Guide to Best Places and Practices

"Carl Dudley and Nancy Ammerman probably know more, and care more, about the vitality of local congregations than any other scholars in the country. Here they translate decades of astute observations into a clear, user-friendly, and practical set of planning strategies certain to help congregational leaders discern the most faithful and effective futures for their ministries." --John P. Kretzmann, codirector, the Asset Based Community Development Institute

"An excellent guide to developing the conversations that leaders of congregations need to be having. This is an important book for boards and planning committees making the difficult shift from business as usual to discerning new futures." --Gil Rendle, director of consulting and education, the Alban Institute

"This book is timely, challenging, and practical! Carl Dudley and Nancy Ammerman skillfully guide the pastor and church leaders through the journey of change toward greater effectiveness in ministry. A must-read for every pastor or church leader who desires to keep their congregation's ministry to the community on the cutting edge." --Efraim Espinoza, Commission on Discipleship-We Build People General Council of the Assemblies of God

About the Author:

Carl S. Dudley and Nancy T. Ammerman are faculty members at Hartford Seminary and researchers at the Hartford Institute for Religious Research. They are authorities on congregational studies and the relationship between congregations and their communities.

About this edition

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0787954225
• ISBN 13: 9780787954222
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 200