Becoming a Blessed Church will help you discern God's purpose and the path God is calling your congregation to walk. This book will help you find Christ in your midst and become aware of the many ways the blessings of God's Spirit flow through your congregation. This second edition includes three new practical chapters that answer the questions the author is most frequently asked.

Becoming a Blessed Church will help you discern God's purpose and the path God is calling your congregation to walk. This book will help you find Christ in your midst and become aware of the many ways the blessings of God's Spirit flow through your congregation. This second edition includes three new practical chapters that answer the questions the author is most frequently asked.

What is your church like today? Maybe your congregation is experiencing wonderful energy and growth. Or perhaps, like many, it was established some time ago and is now experiencing a loss of activity and vitality. In this book E. Stanley Ott outlines twelve dynamic shifts in thinking and practice that can bring new vision and fresh energy to the life of local churches.

Arguing that the crisis in the church today is due to a loss of personal spirituality and congregational vitality, Ott challenges pastors and church leaders to adjust the style of their ministries to attract new people while continuing to encourage current members. He examines the characteristics of the traditional church, extols the features of the new transformational church, and lays out inspiring yet practical proposals to help congregations make the transition from traditional to transformational.

A must-read for pastors and all who share in the leadership of their church, Otts "Twelve Dynamic Shifts offers a welcome blueprint for building need-responsive, disciple-growing congregations full of life and vigor.

The concept of bministry teamsb is rapidly taking hold in churches, but just what are they and how do they work? "Transform Your Church with Ministry Teams" outlines what effective ministry teams look like, describes what they can offer local congregations, and gives concrete step-by-step suggestions for making them happen.

The power of ministry teams lies in their unique capacity to generate genuine Christian fellowship, nurture disciples, develop leaders, and mobilize people for ministry. While traditional church leadership organizations concentrate almost exclusively on task, policy, and program, ministry teams are designed to enhance faith development and, thus, ministry effectiveness.

E. Stanley Ott explores three main areas of ministry-team development. First, he explains the philosophy behind ministry teams and discusses the issues involved in shifting from committee-based to team-based ministry. Second, he tells how to begin ministry teams, including how to identify team leaders and members and how to determine their roles. Third, he looks at the details of ministry-team life, including ways to build team fellowship, foster discipleship and communication within teams, and accomplish specific ministry tasks.

Filled with wise, time-tested advice, including four how-to appendixes, this book will help pastors and lay leaders transform the life of their church or Christian organization.