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Dudley's work in Making the Small Church Effective (1978) broke new ground in understanding the dynamics of life in the small congregation. In this revised edition Effective Small Churches in the 21st Century Dudley revisits the small church, posing new questions reflective of the considerable changes that have swept over small churches in the last two decades. Among the most significant recent developments are shifts in institutional loyalty and individual's sense of identity in relation to larger groups and organizations. Dudley explores the key components that contribute to a small congregation's sense of unity and that motivate its members to more faithfully live out their faith.
Pub Date: 10/2002

Binding: Paperback

ISBN: 0687090903

Retail: $17.00

Presbyterian Distribution Service.
Order items by calling 800-569-8030

Building Church & Communities PDS 72 380-96-004 (Video - Booklet & Study Guide) $19.50
Booklet PDS 72 308 96 006 $ 5.00 -- Study Guide PDS 72 96 007 $ 3.00

Living the Vision - Rural PDS 309 00 001
Living the Vision - Small Church Ministry PDS 72-308-00-002

Cooperative Parish Kit PDS 305 93 920 -- $7.00
Cooperative Parish Manual PDS 305 93 921 -- $ 3.00
Cooperative Parish Directory PDS 305 93 922 --$1.75
Build Your Own Model for Cooperative Ministry PDS 305 93 923 $3.00

A Pilgrim People in Mission (A Congregational Mission Study Guide) PDS 72 320 95 001 -- $2.60
A Congregational Mission Studies Notebook PDS 72 380 96 002 -- 14.00

Mission Study Process: Church Discover Your Calling PDS 72 380 96 003 -- $3.00

Seeds in the Wind – Model of Creative Rural Ministry PDS 305 92 402 -- $4.00

Missional Resources

Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America, Darrell Guder, Ed. Eerdmans, 1998. The Synod office has copies of this book for $20.00 and also has a Study Guide ($3.00) for groups.

People of the Truth: A Christian Challenge to Contemporary Culture, Robert E. Webber and Rodney Clapp, Morehouse, 1993

Jesus and Community, by Gerhard Lohfink, Fortress Press, 1984

The Gospel in a Pluralist Society by Lesslie Newbigin, Eerdmans, 1989

Confident Witness? Changing World: Rediscovering the Gospel in North America by Craig Van Gelder, ed., Eerdmans, 1999.

Recovering the Sacred Center: Church Renewal from the Inside Out by Howard E. Friend, Jr., Judson Press, 1998

The Continuing Conversion of the Church by Darrell L. Guder, Eerdmans, 2000.

Dealing with Difficulty

Communication and Conflict Management, In Churches and Christian Organizations by Kenneth O. Gangel & Samuel L. Canine

Healing the Dysfunctional Church Family, by David Mains

How to Get Along With Difficult People, by William J. Diehm

"Quiet Conversations: Concrete Help for Weary Ministry Leaders" by Alan & Cheryl Klaas.

Mission Growth Publishing web site.
Order info: Fax: 816-873-3404
Telephone order: 800-260-7966
Mail order (and check): Mission Growth Publishing
PMB 165 13 NW Barry Road
Kansas City, MO 64155-2728

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BOOK REVIEW

by Ron Fleming

Searching for a Pastor the Presbyterian Way by Dean E. Foose, Geneva Press.

The many official guidelines, forms, and procedures surrounding a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation search for a new pastor can be overwhelming. This step-by-step guide for nominating committees makes the process clear and understandable and goes beyond the rules to the deeper theological and practical concerns. Foose explains how to get organized, how to compose the Congregational Information materials, how to compile a list of good candidates, what kinds of questions to ask in an interview, and other essential tips and tactics to call a suitable pastor. He also provides an appendix of examples of many of the things a committee must create, plus a list of scripture and hymns to "guide and sustain" the work. Dean Foose is a Presbyterian minister who serves as Director of Alumni/ae Relations and Placement at Princeton Theological Seminary. Drawing upon his experience working with pastors, candidates, and congregations, Foose tells the inside story on how to find the right pastor and how to allow the search to be a time of spiritual discernment and growth in faith. This book is a valuable tool in training Committee on Ministry's PNC liaisons and a must-read for Pastor Nominating Committee members.