Spiritual Maturity : Preserving Congregational Health and Balance

Like all human bodies, the body of Christ that we call "church" needs to attend to its health or it may become ill. Renowned pastor, preacher, and teacher Frank Thomas believes that many congregations exhibit a number of dysfunctional habits in conducting business that lead to rifts, divides, and even congregational splits. Often they are caused by leadership styles that are ineffective and controlling. Thomas examines how poor congregational leadership is often the result of personality conflicts among leaders and how many key leadersboth clergy and layparticipate in keeping unhealthy methods alive.

Thomas's book will help lay and clergy leaders improve the health of their congregation by taking a close look at the styles of church leadership, methods of information flow, and levels of participation that exist within the body. Thomas offers a holistic solution based on a model of spiritual maturity for creating and preserving a healthy congregation.

Frank A. Thomas is Senior Pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Church, Disciples of Christ, located in Memphis, Tennessee. A prominent preacher and speaker on subjects of church administration and homiletics, he has also authored They Like to Never Quit Praisin' God: The Role of Celebration in Preaching (1997).