As American culture becomes increasingly secular, pastors and church leaders are always looking for the most effective and contemporary methods of reaching a new generation. Some place emphasis on proclamation, some on the power of the Holy Spirit, and some on creating a welcoming environment.
Yet, for complex reasons, these approaches are too often mutually exclusive, leaving us either preaching to the chosen few, or broadening our message so greatly that we lose focus. But do we really have to sacrifice one for the other? The Encounter-Based Church is a practical guide for pastors who want to see their churches grow not just in number but in depth of encounter with the Holy Spirit.
Table of Contents:
Why This Book
Embracing Growth
So You Want to Plant a Church?
Building a Good System
The Outreach System
The Encounter Message
The Encounter Service
Deeper Encounters
The Growth System
The Ministry System
The Leadership System
Avoiding the Abyss
Putting the Pieces Together
About the Author:
Will Riddle has been a leader in church plants for most of his adult life and has experienced both the highs and lows of church growth in widely different contexts. Will is currently Vice President of Field Operations for Prison Fellowship where he brings his sharp operational mind to ministry challenges. Will is happily married with four children and holds an MDiv in Urban Ministry from Gordon-Conwell and a B.A. from Duke.
