Getting the Church on Target

by Lloyd M. Perry, Moody Press, $8.95

Reviewed by H. Benton Lutz Pastor, St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Vir.

Here's one thought we can say yes to: "Today's minister is expected to do too much. Some of the many responsibilities include: worship, evangelism, missions, Christian education; study, devotions; visitation, counseling, and pastoral services to individuals. Under this kind of work load, some ministers of large churches cannot be shepherds-only ranchers."

Perry thus identifies perhaps the most common problem of ministers. How do you come to know your flock by name, instead of by a brand? This book, a gleaning of Perry's lectures at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, attempts to answer those questions from a church management perspective.

To get back to the business of shepherding instead of ranching, Perry sees the need for church revitalization. This would involve four steps:

¥ diagnosis of the church situation

¥ organization

¥ implementation

¥ ...