Your Church in Rhythm: The Forgotten Dimensions of Seasons and Cycles
I n this groundbreaking book, Bruce B. Miller introduces the concept of rhythm as a powerful approach to church life. Every ministry flows in rhythms in the stages of a church's life cycle and in regular cycles annually, monthly, weekly, but how can leaders maximize the God-given rhythms of life?Miller challenges the idea of a balanced church—trying to have it all, all the time. Typically church leaders try to have every ministry moving full speed ahead at every point in time and inevitably feel guilty if any one aspect (worship, ministries, or outreach) is neglected. In place of the elusive search for balance, Miller proposes rhythm: flowing in seasons and cycles. Churches, like people, need to give priority to different purposes and ministries at different times.A healthy church will find ways to harmonize with created and providential rhythms. Churches, as all organisms and organiza-tions, develop through stages, experience seasons, and live in the cycles of creation (days and years).Your Church in Rhythmunfolds six rhythm strategies built on the concepts of chronos and kairos. Chronos is measured time, such as on a watch or a calendar. Kairos is experienced as the right or opportune time, and is measured in stages and seasons. Kairos rhythm strategies enable church leaders to release expectations that don't fit a particular time. They empower churches to seize opportunities unique to this stage of their church's life and to anticipate what's next, creating hope. Chronos rhythm strategies empower leaders to pace their church well in life's cycles, to establish life-giving habits and value-building traditions, and to oscillate intensity and renewal in each cycle.Leading a church in rhythm with the seasons and cycles of life will increase impact, reduce stress, and multiply joy for the leadership and the congregation.