"Why should we change?" This book is written for the vast majority of congregations who are cautious, tentative, and ambivalent to change and creative initiatives for mission. The vast majority will find a calm, reasonable explanation for why their stability is shakier than ever. Their belief in their seeming congregational health hides a growing self-destructive addiction. In answer to the question, "Why should we change?" Tom Bandy replies, "As a consultant and speaker, I see incredibly daring and creative congregational initiatives for mission, and I also encounter many dying churches unwilling to change at all. The vast majority of congregations, however, are something in-between: cautious, tentative, and ambivalent. Many small, medium, and even large traditional churches enjoy a degree of stability and reasonable health." He continues, "In these churches, there are three kinds of people. About 20% are restless and convinced that there is a higher calling and a better way to be the church. About 65% are cautious, unimaginative, not-particularly-knowledgeable, but generally healthy Christians. They are torn between a genuine desire to be faithful, and anxiety about risk. The remaining 15% are dysfunctional controllers for whom no amount of coaching or education will be of help. Somehow the 20% have got to nurture and motivate the 65% to have the courage and vision to challenge the 15% and set the church on a new path." He concludes, "This book is written for the 65%. . . or for the 20% to use in educating the 65%."

Road Runner: The Body In Motion (Convergence Ebook Series)

Religion & Spirituality

Bandy, Thomas G.

Religious Studies

ABINGDON PRESS *

In his previous books―Kicking Habits, Growing Spiritual Redwoods, and Moving Off the Map―Thomas Bandy has drawn a compelling contrast between two kinds of congregational systems: the thriving church system, whose focus on hands-on ministry and shared core values propels it toward the future into which God’s Spirit is leading; and the declining church system, whose focus on control and hierarchical structures leaves it bound to the past. In this book, Bandy argues that the organization of a congregation―its boards and committees―will be directed toward one of these two kinds of systems. In other words, the means by which a church makes decisions and conducts its corporate life will determine the kind of church it will become. Drawing on a helpful contrast between prescriptive and proscriptive thinking, Bandy argues that congregational organization should focus on setting the larger boundaries within which its programs and ministries should operate. This frees leaders and members to express their God-given creativity in ministry, rather than forcing them to follow a prescribed set of functions and tasks laid out for them in advance. The book concludes with a compelling call for “turning the laity loose” through cell-group ministry, unleashing the Spirit-driven Christian chaos by which a congregation can thrive in the challenging days ahead.

Christian Chaos: Revolutionizing the Congregation

Christian Books & Bibles

Written in Korean, this is the ground-breaking book that has shown thousands of congregations how to overcome the destructive attitudes and systems that prevent them from focusing on their true mission: making disciples of Jesus Christ.In this upgraded edition, Bandy continues to explore the meaning of walking with Jesus in the 21st century. Drawing on the stories of exciting new congregations that have arisen within the last few years, he sharpens his portrayal of the thriving church system, demonstrating its essential concern for savvy awareness of the larger culture and fidelity to the core of the gospel.

Kicking Habits Korean Version: Welcome Relief for Addicted Churches Korean Version (Korean Edition)

Self-Help

Personal Transformation

ABNDP - Abingdon Press

Written in Spanish, this is the ground-breaking book that has shown thousands of congregations how to overcome the destructive attitudes and systems that prevent them from focusing on their true mission: making disciples of Jesus Christ.In this upgraded edition, Bandy continues to explore the meaning of walking with Jesus in the 21st century. Drawing on the stories of exciting new congregations that have arisen within the last few years, he sharpens his portrayal of the thriving church system, demonstrating its essential concern for savvy awareness of the larger culture and fidelity to the core of the gospel.

Desechando habitos: Ayuda para las iglesias adictas (Spanish Edition)

Is your congregation concerned primarily with health and stability, or mission and outreach? Does it always or usually seek a pleasant sense of harmony and fellowship, or does it vibrate with an edgy energy? Are the members risk-averse, or risk takers? In this innovative book, Tom Bandy explains how harmony--the desire to minimize conflict and change--can deaden our discernment of the leadership of the Spirit, and render us blind to the needs of the world into which Jesus would lead. With the visionary sweep that has become his trademark, Bandy explains how congregations can leave behind their preoccupation with a false harmony and follow Jesus into the mission field of contemporary North American culture.

Fragile Hope: Your Church in 2020

Existing congregations and denominations are so addicted to self-destructive practices that they cannot change until they admit their bondage. These practices include a hunt for doctrinal purity on the theological right, and a desire for political justice on the theological left. The answer is a complete systemic transformation of congregations or denomination, and consultant Thomas Bandy offers twenty shocking truths that thriving churches have discovered.
In Kicking Habits: Welcome Relief for Addicted Churches, Thomas Bandy helps pastors and other leaders of addicted churches kick their habits by deconstructing the existing system, followed by an emphasis on small-group ministry, multi-track worship experiences, the retraining of enabling pastors, and an abiding, relentless sensitivity toward people who are seeking a Higher Power but who have lost patience with conflicted, self-absorbed religious institutions.
The book is loaded with test instruments, helpful charts and surveys and perceptive insights into the dilemmas faced by pastors and other church leaders.

Kicking Habits: Welcome Relief for Addicted Churches

An upgrade to the ground-breaking book that has shown thousands of congregations how to overcome the destructive attitudes and systems that prevent them from focusing on their true mission: making disciples of Jesus Christ. In this upgraded edition, Bandy continues to explore the meaning of walking with Jesus in the 21st century. Drawing on the stories of exciting new congregations that have arisen within the last few years, he sharpens his portrayal of the thriving church system, demonstrating its essential concern for savvy awareness of the larger culture and fidelity to the core of the gospel.

Kicking Habits Upgrade Edition: Welcome Relief For Addicted Churches

For all those who ask the question, “How must my life be different if our church is going to be a vital witness to Jesus Christ?” Coming Clean is a study guide that explores the issues of church transformation described in the groundbreaking book, Kicking Habits. Using a series of Bible studies, group discussions, and group exercises, participants can customize and apply the insights on thriving church life to their own congregational context. "Coming Clean" means honest discernment of the realities of one's church and spiritual insight on the original purpose of the Body of Christ. It involves mutual support and a positive attitude for change, so that congregations find confidence for the future, and leaders no longer bear the stress alone. Coming Clean is part of Bandy's Church Transformation Trilogy, a comprehensive set of guides for congregational leaders. The trilogy includes Kicking Habits: Upgrade Edition; which provides a large overview of systemic change and the addictive behaviors that prevent it and answers the question, "What does a thriving church look like?" The third volume is Facing Reality, a comprehensive tool that examines all 11 sub-systems of congregational life and places the reader's church on the continuum of addiction and health by answering the question, "Where must we change our church?"

Coming Clean: The Study Guide to Kicking Habits

Tom Bandy has come to be known as one of today’s most insightful interpreters of congregational life and the cultural changes that are affecting it. In previous books he has addressed issues such as the addictive behaviors congregations exhibit, the cultural situation that makes this a “pre-Christian” era, and the organizational changes that must occur if bold new congregational systems are truly to work. By evaluating the responses to all of these concerns, the author has heard a recurring set of questions: How do I help people overcome the fear of change? How do I persuade them to accept the cost? Why is there a sense that change is inherently unfaithful? When I go to my church next Sunday and drink coffee with that little group of people God has gathered in our place, how in the world do I convince them to take such risks? Drawing on the penetrating analysis of contemporary cultural shifts that has come to be his trademark, Bandy offers detailed and pragmatic suggestions for how one can invite established church members into the mission of transforming their congregation into a place that calls and equips people to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

Coaching Change: Breaking Down Resistance, Building Up Hope

A congregation can transform itself and thrive in the 21st Century if the congregation is willing to undertake a transformation of the whole flow of congregational life. In order to help churches meet this challenge, Bandy has developed the Congregational Mission Assessment, a powerful and comprehensive tool designed to aid even the smallest congregation in discovering a healthier future. Key Features: * Provides practical, easy-to-understand assessment tools * Provides self-assessment worksheets for clergy, staff, and lay leaders * Provides surveys to gauge demographic trends in a congregation's area Key Benefits: * Allows even the smallest congregation to assess their strengths and weaknesses, and discern the path to transformation * Helps congregations discern the vitality of all major areas of their corporate lives, including spirituality and service

Facing Reality: A Tool for Congregational Mission Assessment

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