Facing Decline, Finding Hope: New Possibilities for Faithful Churches - Softcover

Jeffrey D. Jones

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1566997321 ISBN 13: 9781566997324

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2015

Synopsis

Facing Decline, Finding Hope: New Possibilities for Faithful Churches

About this title

About the Author

Jeffrey D. Jones is associate professor of ministerial leadership and director of ministry studies at Andover Newton Theological School. He served as a pastor for many years and as a national staff member of the American Baptist Churches, USA. He is the author of several books, including Heart, Mind, and Strength: Theory and Practice for Congregational Leadership and Traveling Together: A Guide for Disciple-Forming Congregations.

Review

When I read a book on leadership, I ask myself two questions: Would I use this book in a course I teach on congregational leadership at the seminary? Would I draw upon the author’s perspectives as I resource congregations in their visioning and strategic planning processes? In response to these questions, Facing Decline,Finding Hope receives an enthusiastic yes. . . .Church leaders framing conversations around these questions will benefit considerably from Jones’s biblical, theological, congregational, cultural, and sociological insights, as well as the possible implications he explores in each area. . . .This entire book, from my perspective, hinges on this statement that calls attention to the identity and purpose of the church. As such, I would begin classroom and congregational discussions at this point, move into other dimensions of the text, and anticipate a much improved level of substance and clarity as we consider what it means to be both faithful and hopeful in this time and place. (Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology)

There's so much to love about Jeff Jones' new book on decline and hope. He offers deep biblical insight on the tension between the priestly and prophetic. He traces intriguing parallels between biblical dynamics and the work of contemporary organizational theorists. He demonstrates the connection between honest personal spiritual vitality and congregational vitality. But my favorite thing: he doesn't just propose new answers to old questions. He proposes new questions entirely—and they're exactly the questions we need. Here's a book to help congregations face reality, including the reality of decline—and face the future, with hope. (Brian McLaren, author, speaker, and activist)

Churches that find their membership numbers dropping sometimes consider that fact to be the center of their identities. Jeff Jones suggests a different center, without avoiding the realities of decline, and thus his book on hope becomes in itself a source of hope. Jeff’s experience in ministry, coupled with his deep commitment to leadership studies, make him the most credible scholar writing on finding new life in a church that is becoming smaller. (Sarah B. Drummond, dean of the faculty and vice president for academic affairs, Andover Newton Theological School)

Even with the decline that is facing mainline Protestantism, thousands of clergy still serve thousands of churches, and they're trying to make a difference. Based on his many years as a pastor, professor, and denominational executive, Jeff Jones brings a clear-eyed vision of how congregations can thrive and flourish, even in tough times. This book will indeed do what it promises: bring hope. (Tony Jones, author of "The Church Is Flat")

Jeff Jones has courageously identified the challenge before the overwhelming majority of churches in North America. As painful as his analysis is, it remains rooted in the hope that comes from God alone. Brave Christians will read and pray! (Dwight Stinnett, Executive Minister, American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region)

Fifty years ago it didn't occur to anyone that most people would have better things to do than "go" to church. Church (as we knew it) had intrinsic value, but no longer. The first step is admitting we have a problem. If there are twelve steps, Jeffery D. Jones has been through them all, and sober for a long time. In Facing Decline, Finding Hope, Jones gives us a Big Book for churches in recovery which is bound to be required reading for all seminarians. (Sean Witty, Senior Minister, First Baptist Church, Newton Centre, MA)

This is a deep and insightful book on the realities faced by every church trying to stay relevant, healthy and vital in today's ever changing world. The response may be too simple for most of us - let go and let God lead on to a new future! How do we really do that? Jeff suggests new questions that help in radically rethinking what it means to be church in a different world. (Mayra Castaņeda)

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1566997321
• ISBN 13: 9781566997324
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 152