Review This is an excellent resource for pastors and congregations seeking to reclaim formation and discipleship as central to their life and purpose. --The Christian Century magazine, October 2005 Product Description In a recent study, pollster George Barna stated that the number one topic of interest for church leaders today is discipleship. Not growth, not pastoral care, not evangelism. Discipleship. According to E. Stanley Ott, President of The Vital Churches Institute, There is no person more qualified to address the greatest need in the church today than Glenn McDonald that of showing how the local church can grow vital disciples. In his easy going writing style, author Glenn McDonald tells the story of how he, as the busy pastor of a large and growing suburban church near Indianapolis was struggling with the ABCs of attendance, building and cash. One evening at the end of another church board meeting one of his elders asked a simple question. How long would it take for someone who visits our church to learn about his or her need for Jesus and to find out what to do about it? From that night forward the entire focus of the church changed. All canned programs for ministry were ended as everything about the church was examined in the light of Christ s charge to go forth and make disciples. The Disciple Making Church is presented in two parts six discipling relationships and six marks of a disciple. McDonald weaves vivid Scriptural insights and the wisdom of scholars with the experiences of his own congregation and others, and distills it all into one helpful, valuable and enjoyable book. If you ve ever wondered if the busyness of many of today s churches isn t what Christ was talking about, this book will have a lasting impact on your church.

The greatest problem facing mainline churches today is not declining numbers, shifting social allegiances, or confused leadership. It is loss of vision. This bold yet constructive book urges pastors to again see their congregations as real expressions of "the body of Christ" and suggests ways to revise - and energize - their ministries based on this vision.. "Complete with discussion questions that make it ideal for use in a wide variety of educational settings, Imagining a Church in the Spirit will help church leaders successfully meet the cultural challenges that await us in the twenty-first century.