Whole Church: Leading from Fragmentation to Engagement
"I am sick of fragmentation. How about you? The one community that should understand wholeness—and explore it, embrace it, luxuriate in it, model it, enhance it, promote it—is the church."—Mel LawrenzIn this timely book Mel Lawrenz—pastor of one of the most innovative churches in America—outlines his proven model for "whole church/whole ministry." Church leaders and congregants can embrace this model to reinvigorate their mission by engaging with God, each other, their community, and the world. A "whole church" means that a local congregation believes it is called to the whole purpose of God in and through the church, rather than some narrowly defined specialization.As Lawrenz explains, all too often the church talks about God's great provisions (grace, salvation, mercy), but they are not applied in real and practical ways in people's lives. As a result many Christians have become disengaged. Step by step, Lawrenz shows how to apply the four types of engagement that will integrate a church:Engage with God—expand the life of worship and personal devotionEngage with God's people—through small groups and other meansEngage with your community—become involved in meeting social needsEngage with the world—develop an awareness and involvement in global missionThe dynamic whole church model is not merely a list of functions or stages of growth. It offers practical, down-to-earth ways to connect the church to its true mission and purpose.