Click to read introduction to book, which summarizes main points.

J. Russell Crabtree has been a Presbyterian pastor for 20 years serving small, medium and large churches in Ohio and New York. He currently serves as a coach and consultant for churches and other organizations and has written numerous books.

Presbytery Council Discussion Page

Greetings Presbytery Council Members,

Thanks for taking the time read and discuss this book!

To make this effort worthwhile please:

1) Read the Preface, Introduction, chapter 1 and chapter 2 by Thursday, September 13th.
2) We will discuss the book for an hour during the afternoon session of the council September 13th, so please think about the following questions as you prepare.  Please go ahead and share some of your thoughts on the online forum below!

• What surprised you or stood out to you in your reading of this book?
• What specific things would you apply from this book to the workings of your committee?
• Where in the book do you disagree or are skeptical?
• Any questions/specific points you would like to hear discussed in the forum or at the Council Meeting?

3) Help us find out if the issues Russell Crabtree raises are relevant by asking people from different churches questions from our survey taken from the book's discussion questions (click here).  You can talk to them about it, or email them the link to the survey.  Council members can fill this out concerning their own church.