Into the Future

by Towns, Elmer L.; Bird, Warren

• ISBN13: 9780800757250
• ISBN10: 0800757254
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-04-01
• Publisher: Fleming H Revell Co

Summary

Church researchers Elmer Towns and Warren Bird present practical solutions today for the church's ever-changing environment tomorrow. They pinpoint fourteen critical issues that currently impact most churches, then introduce solid action plans for proactive change. By profiling churches and church leaders from a wide array of denominational backgrounds, the authors identify trendsetters and issues that will shape the church of the twenty-first century.

Table of Contents

List of Church Profiles	7	(1)
List of Expert Commentators	8	(1)
Foreword	9	(2)
Acknowledgments	11	(2)
Introduction	13	(10)
Part 1: Churches Move toward Church Health and Quality
Get Help Becoming More Healthy	23	(12)
Keep the Bible in One Hand and a Cup of Cold Water in the Other	35	(20)
Part 2: Churches Move toward Relational Communication
Enter the World of Cheers, Friends, and Seinfeld	55	(12)
Learn the Language That Connects with Postmoderns	67	(14)
Part 3: Churches Move toward Targeted Outreach
Turn On Your Daytime Running Lights	81	(12)
Set Benchmarks for Reaching the Unchurched	93	(14)
Part 4: Churches Move toward New Forms for Faith Transfer
Make More Room for Truth	107	(12)
Go Confidently to Mars Hill	119	(12)
Part 5: Churches Move toward Greater Appreciation of Worship
Maximize the Strong Points of Your Worship Service	131	(18)
Cash In on Two Millennia of Good Ideas	149	(14)
Part 6: Churches Move toward Empowerment of Lay Leadership
Learn to Be a Leader-Maker	163	(14)
Look Underneath the Megachurch Movement	177	(12)
Make the Church Better Than a Business	189	(12)
Part 7: Churches Move toward New Stewardship Motives
Free People to Give from the Heart	201	(16)
Conclusion	217	(8)
Notes	225	(12)
Subject Index	237	(4)
Name Index	241