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| Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples | 
 enlarge | Authors: Thom S. Rainer, Eric Geiger
Publisher: B&H Books
Category: Book
List Price: $19.99
Buy New: $12.79
You Save: $7.20 (36%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $11.25
Avg. Customer Rating:  (79 reviews)
Sales Rank: 3841
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 272
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6 x 1.1
ISBN: 0805443908
Dewey Decimal Number: 248
EAN: 9780805443905
ASIN: 0805443908
Publication Date: June 1, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Occam's razor May 12, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book had a lot of good to say about the streamlining of the church-growing process, However, in my opinion, the authors would have been better served in saving the statistical info for endnotes at the end of each chapter or used the data as part of their appendices at the end of the book. Their endeavoring to weave the info into the body of the hypotheses they were presenting made the reading process more difficult and less streamlined.
Since their stated goal was to make things simple, they should have followed Occam's Razor, which suggests that the simplest solution presented in the simplest manner possible is most likely to be the best solution to any given problem.
 Thought-provoking May 2, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Based on actual research data, the authors present a model for ministry and program design and follow-through which emphasizes simplicity, consistency, and follow-through. The key elements in the authors' words are: clarity/movement/alignment/focus
 A Professor's and Pastor's Perspective April 24, 2008
16 out of 18 found this review helpful
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3M0SVA6UEOAEK Let me introduce or re-introduce you to the outstanding book on systematic disciplemaking and strategic growth in your church ministry.
Amazing Church Resource! April 18, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Simple Church challenged our team greatly to think strategically about all we do and offer as a church. The book gave our leadership team some common language that we still utilize when discussing decisions. The book is an easy read, but is also challenging both personally and corporately to the body of Christ.
 Good book, but lacking universality April 16, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Though I agree in principle with the "Simple Church" concept, that every church needs to drastically simplify what it is doing so that it can do a better job of making disciples, I was a tiny bit disappointed with some of the methods and statements the authors used.
The book is based on a survey of hundreds of growing churches across the country which experienced at least 5% growth each year for at least three years. They surveyed these churches on what they were doing and how they were doing it. Here are my complaints:
First, it does not appear that they asked the growing churches they surveyed where their "growth" was coming from. Much of it could have been transfer growth. I don't mind "transfer growth" if Christians are leaving sick churches to attend healthy ones, but that is not the reason most Christians transfer. Most just want to go where the best show is.
Second, it seems they only surveyed larger churches (of 300 or more) and churches with buildings. This is odd since about 90% of the 485,000 US churches are under 80 people. Also, the most "simple" churches in the country are house churches (of 30 or less). It would be interesting to see if his stats fit with house churches.
Finally, it seems that there is a real break down in the ability of the churches that were surveyed to get their people into community service (mission). Though the people may be progressing through the simplified discipleship track, few make it to the goal of mission involvement. I wonder if this isn't because Mission should be placed first, as suggested by other books on the market (e.g. The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch).
Of course, despite these "complaints" of mine, I do think it is a really good book since most churches desperately need simplification.
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