Book Review

I just finished 7 Practices of Effective Ministry by Andy Stanley and let me say this upfront: The guys at North Point Ministries really have their act together.

 

To be frank, I put off reading this book after reading the table of contents. The long narrative section was a real turn off for me and delayed my reading for months.  I am so glad i decided to revisit this book!  If you decide to pick it up, you will share my gladness.  Here are the 7 Practices... just in case you were wondering:

 

1.  Clarify the Win

 

2.  Think Steps, Not Programs

 

3.  Narrow the Focus

 

4.  Teach Less for More

 

5.  Listen to Outsiders

 

6.  Replace Yourself

 

7.  Work On It

 

Now, I have to warn you... this book is LOADED with baseball analogies, but don;t let that frighten you if you are not a baseball fan.  The content is explained and non-baseballic illustrations are plentiful.

 

I think the opening words of Andy's epilogue not only capture the essence of this short work, but say everything I want to say about it:

 

Your ministry is perfectly designed to achieve the results you are currently getting.

 

I highly recommend this book to anyone who takes ministry seriously.  And anyone who does not take ministry seriously needs to read this book twice.