Effective Small Churches in the Twenty-First Century

Dudley's work in Making the Small Church Effective (1978) broke new ground in understanding the dynamics of life in the small congregation. In this revised edition, Dudley revisits the small church, posing new questions reflective of the considerable changes that have swept over small churches in the last two decades. Among the most significant recent developments are shifts in institutional loyalty and individual's sense of identity in relation to larger groups and organizations. Dudley explores the key components that contribute to a small congregation's sense of unity and that motivate its members to more faithfully live out their faith.

Carl S. Dudley was Co-director of the Center for Social and Religious Research and Professor of Church and Community at Hartford Seminary, Hartford, Connecticut. He is author of several books, including Making the Small Church Effective and Basic Steps Toward Community Ministry. (1998)