I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church!

Paul Nixon's "I Refuse to Lead A Dying Church" contains a lot of material gleaned from others, such as George Hunter III, Lyle Schaller, Doug Anderson, Mike Coyner, and many others who have written fine material on this subject. The photograph on the cover comes across as defiant. Maybe it was intended to convey defiance, or at the very least dogged determination. I think the latter. As a United Methodist elder who retired after 34 years of trying to do the very things Rev. Nixon writes about, I would give him an A+ for spirit! His spirit is right. His strategies are not new. And, the book does not address the greater systemic issues of our denomination. There are a lot of good people trying to help our denomination become more effective at sharing Christ. Unfortunately, there are a lot of fine folk on autopilot in our churches, cabinets struggling to find appropriate leadership for such churches, a huge dearth of vision, and yes, not as much commitment to Jesus' mission as there could be. Then there is the spiritual warfare component, which is killing us---literally. Scores of good clergy leaving parish ministry. District Superintendents and Bishops giving beyond their ability. It seems to me that the greatest issue is that we are lost spiritually, and that we seemingly have lost our souls. I know that these are harsh words. But, the Church is not a business. It is a Spirit led body of believers. Where there are no prayer groups, churches die. We can keep our parishioners "busy" and have all of the programs in the world. But, if persons aren't meeting Jesus, and there is no faith sharing, well.....

The book is written to get attention, and it does. Oriented to youth ministry, the author seems to write from experience. Some may wish for ministry attention to the boomer generation, who are aged 47 to 65 in 2011. I particularly wish the term church vitality was more clearly related to the presence of the Holy Spirit, and not just to the presence of young people, as in age groups. The description of an "aging church" is a stereotype that was meant to describe an increasingly complacent and stagnant church, not a church populated by the elderly. Like it or not, the age group of 80 to 89 is the fastest growing population segment of industrialized nations worldwide, and is worthy of ministry. But the work is valid for its viewpoint, and is worth the read. The attention stirred up can be built upon, and that is good.

I can relate to this issue to our now and todays churches. I feel that the study is something i can take back to my pastor and congregation to make a difference in the transformation of the world. We as Christian are stuck in our old ways that are no longer working. The youth of today need to have a piece of the rock and this is the perfect issue to develope new ideals, to worship, to come together as one, to go out, take risk and be a part of the community, and definitely to reach out to the unchurched. New ideal and ways to enlight your santuary and programs and making the outside of your church inviting to other as the pass by are the now important ways to make your church grow. i gained a lot of insight and plan to put them in to action.

This is filled with wisdom of experience and is also very folksy, conversational and inspirational, but I am always interested in what the Bible has to say on a particular topic not mere human beings. Such essential exegesis is missing from this book. Any building must begin with Christ and his Apostles' teachings. If we don't start there we are in danger of building wood, hay and stubble. The whole Bible has an incredible amount to say on this topic that is very relevant and up-to-date.

This is one of the best, simplist, down-to-earth books I have read regarding church revitalization. I appreciate Paul Nixon's ability to acknowledge the real difference that exist among churches and still focus on the things we have in common. This is a practical book that can help, and mor than that give us hope. I look foward to reading his companion book, "We Refused to Lead Dying Churches."

This book is excellent for the 21th Century Church leadership. The author, a United Methodist minister, encourages the reader to be dynamic in their approach and to do his best to lead the Church to the shores of a better tomorrow. Many Churches are in decadence because the failure of the leaders to adapt to new circumstances and people. I give this book 5 stars. It is one you should read.

Not finished but so far really enjoying a reality check

A sound approach to turning a church around.

The most positive thing I have found in this book is it's focused on the gospel and the proclaimation thereof.