Lyle E. Schaller is America's most influential religious leader among all denominations, according to a survey of more than three thousand religious leaders conducted by the Hartford Religious Research Center and reported in the Los Angeles Times.
This book is for church leaders, both clergy and lay, who seek to challenge the status quo and implement change in their congregations. Schaller's plan of intervention suggests that the long-range planning committee is the most effective vehicle of change. He systematically addresses the issues this committee faces, such as knowing when to intervene, how to decide which issues to tackle, how to face financial concerns, when to implement the plan, and how to overcome resistance. Key Features: Involves volunteer leaders in planning for future; Suggests long-range planning committee as a vehicle for chan≥ Presents a plan for implementing change in a congregation Key Benefits: Addresses demands for higher quality congregational life; Discusses when to choose tradition or new approaches; Explains when to study and when to act; Shows how to implement a plan; Illustrates how to overcome resistance
How can the pastor and the congregation best forge a dynamic and productive partnership? What do the most successful churches do to maximize their effectiveness? Answers to these questions and more await you in this revised edition of Lyle E. Schaller's The Pastor and the People .Every year for the past quarter-century, Lyle E. Schaller has personally visited and studied one hundred to three hundred congregations representing better than three dozen denominations across the United States and Canada. This extraordinary experience has earned him wisdom and insight that he shares with you here.