Understanding Congregations: A New Shape for the Local Church

Ever since Charles Handy's Understanding Organisations there has been a growing body of research and understanding about how organizations such as churches or parish groups grow and decline.
In this book Malcolm Grundy draws on his study of this subject and his experience of working as consultant and trainer with clergy and lay-workers in churches of all denominations - Roman Catholics, Anglicans and members of the Free Churches.
The theme which runs through this book is how clergy and lay people can be more effective by working together. Beginning with an understanding of what is taking place, he explores why some churches grow, change and develop and how they can be changed by the arrival of newcomers (possibly through Alpha-type courses), and offers imaginative new ways forward.

Malcolm Grundy is Archdeacon of Craven in the Diocese of Bradford.