Book Review: Growing God's Church by Gary L McIntosh

What worked in one generation might not work for another generation. The way things are communicated are not the same ten years ago. Cultural trends come and go along with hairstyles.

Some people say the church falls into that category as well. Think about it. What worked in the 1950's does not work in the 21st century. Gary L McIntosh in his book, Growing God's Church, talks about research that has been done over the last ten years on how people are coming to faith. McIntosh expresses that some churches have become missional with evangelism as a primary task. To be honest, I have never known a missional church that wasn't evangelistic but he does make a good point. Evangelism needs to be one of the top priorities of the church.

The gospel message brings us to believe in Christ or reject him, McIntosh expresses,and there no middle ground, which is true. In some churches we have messages where you can come to Christ without following him. If you read the Bible, you know believing in Christ means to follow Christ.

McIntosh continues to talk more on the research on how people came to faith in Christ, what led them to Christ, and what keeps them in the church. He even addresses the pastor's role in evangelism, which a pastor does have a role in reaching people for Christ but so does the entire church. He concludes the book on what steps a church need to take to be effective evangelists which some of them almost sound seeker-friendly but I know he is trying not to express that.

In short, Growing God's Church is a helpful book for those who want to see the church reaching the lost. I don't think it will make the top 10 church growth method books, but it is a decent book to read.

Thanks Baker Books for letting me review this book.