The Business of the Church: The Uncomfortable Truth that Faithful Ministry Requires Effective Management
Where was this book thirty years ago when I graduated from seminary? Wimberly does a masterful job of analyzing the intriguing system that is the church. Even better, he dishes up a feast of practical strategies that promote congregational vitality and effectiveness. As I read, I found myself laughing, nodding, and learning, often at the same time.(Joanna M. Adams, Pastor, Morningside Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA)John Wimberly reminds us pastors that God is in the details of management, and that if the organization is to survive and thrive we cannot neglect tending to the day to day and season to season management of ministry. His weaving of systems theory into his practice of management is especially helpful and provides significant linkage to the more pastoral side of our working with the same folks who are together with us running the organizational side of the church.(Ed Hurley, Pastor, South Highland Presbyterian Church)If you have questioned whether the words business and church should be in the same paragraph, then you must read this book. Wimberly does a masterful job connecting essential business functions to ministry. Starting from an acknowledgment of the systemic nature of church, to the day to day management of staff and money, he guides the reader to deeper understanding of roles and function.(Phill Martin, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Church Business Administration)This is where we as clergy fail again and again. We don't handle finance and administration in a professional way; we don't even know what is appropriate and what isn't. John Wimberly has put together all of the essentials about how to manage the business side of the church's life for those who prefer not to learn the hard way.(Dean Snyder, Senior Pastor, Foundry United Methodist Church)