Can the Church Live Again? The Revitalization of a 21st Century Church
Reviewed by Rev. Steve Hannah
Can a Church Live Again? The Revitalization of a 21st Century Church Dr. Ronny Russell Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc. 6316 Peake Road Macon, Georgia 31210-3960 www.Helwys.com |
Ronny Russell, D. Min, is the senior pastor of Mission Baptist Church in Locust, NC. Today Mission Baptist Church is a vibrant church, very much alive and continuing to grow with church members committed to making new disciples for Jesus Christ and sharing the love and compassion of Christ with the people of their community and around the world. Mission Baptist Church is a very bright light on the Christian landscape.
However, this has not always been true. There was a time when Mission Baptist Church was a quiet, traditional program based church which seemed to exist only to serve it’s own programs, a typical maintenance oriented church. After struggling with this situation for a number of years, Dr. Russell began to feel a need for church renewal and revitalization. He became convinced that a mission oriented church is the correct Biblical model for churches. The model that is true to the teachings of Jesus Christ and, therefore, the model through which the message of Christ can best be effective.
Dr. Russell took up the challenge to transform Mission Baptist Church to a mission oriented, disciple making church. The difficulties he faced were tremendous, yet the transformation in the church was truly remarkable.
In Can a Church Live Again? Dr. Russell shares the story of this transformation with us. It is a story full of many peaks and valleys, both personal and professional. It is a story full of very good advice about what to expect. And it is certainly a story that will be an inspiration to any minister or church member who wants to bring a positive change to their church. Because it is written by a person who has done exactly that.
Reviewed by Dr. Steve Hannah
Minister of Bethel and Shiloh Presbyterian Churches
Presbytery of Coastal Carolina
However, this has not always been true. There was a time when Mission Baptist Church was a quiet, traditional program based church which seemed to exist only to serve it’s own programs, a typical maintenance oriented church. After struggling with this situation for a number of years, Dr. Russell began to feel a need for church renewal and revitalization. He became convinced that a mission oriented church is the correct Biblical model for churches. The model that is true to the teachings of Jesus Christ and, therefore, the model through which the message of Christ can best be effective.
Dr. Russell took up the challenge to transform Mission Baptist Church to a mission oriented, disciple making church. The difficulties he faced were tremendous, yet the transformation in the church was truly remarkable.
In Can a Church Live Again? Dr. Russell shares the story of this transformation with us. It is a story full of many peaks and valleys, both personal and professional. It is a story full of very good advice about what to expect. And it is certainly a story that will be an inspiration to any minister or church member who wants to bring a positive change to their church. Because it is written by a person who has done exactly that.
Reviewed by Dr. Steve Hannah
Minister of Bethel and Shiloh Presbyterian Churches
Presbytery of Coastal Carolina