This is a rare book – combining practical tools for parish planning with equally practical help for the spiritual dimension of what parishes are all about. It can be a revolutionary book for congregational leaders who are serious about wanting to become an effective religious force in the future of their communities.
The real surprise for me in this book is the way the spiritual dimension of the congregation is clearly seen as the primary focus. Most planning documents I have seen neglect this dimension, treating the congregation as just another organization. This book also deserves note for bringing the new theories of polarity management out of the closet of conflict management and into the mainstream of building a wholistic approach to congregational life. Although extraordinarily practical, this book includes big thinking and opens significant doors. This is not “just another planning handbook.” — Loren Mead, Consultant and Founding President, The Alban Institute
