The Adept Church: Navigating Between a Rock and a Hard Place

by F Douglas Powe

A theologically grounded, yet practical, user-friendly guide for church leaders seeking to save their churches. A methodical, logical approach for strategic development and decision-making. A clear process for showing congregations how to define their reality, and a map showing the way to move forward.

Offers a clear process to help congregations understand their situation by taking an honest "look in the mirror." Helps congregations build a realistic roadmap for moving forward. Illustrates how the status quo (institutionalism) is rewarded and that seeking transformation goes against institutionalism. Outlines what it means to be an adept church, a church that can navigate between a rock and a hard place because it makes decisions based upon where it needs to go and not where it is currently. Provides practical, first step for congregations to move forward.

112 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2020

Reviews

[Rob O'Lynn]

Excellent volume on congregational leadership, especially during such troubling times as are being felt by many! Although Powe's imagery of "swamp," "reservoir" and "canal" can feel a bit forced, it provides a useful imagery for healthy congregations. The imagery also deeply reinforced that health and growth should not be defined by numbers alone.

Additionally, the reflective questions at the end of each chapter, offer a great guide for congregational leaders to begin the difficult process of assessment that leads to evaluation and implementation. For a short book (just barely over 100 pages), Powe provides plenty of case study examples, which helps the reader visualize the change needed to move from swamp to reservoir and/or canal.

My only critique, which does not really detract from the overall solid quality of this book, is the use of the Esther interludes. While it is refreshing to see Esther's narrative used in a more missional way (rather than the traditional syrupy self-help way), I did not find that it really added much to the conversation, other than to provide cognitive breaks for processing.

[Josh Owens]

An easily digestible book for church leaders, both clergy and laity. Helpful analogies of churches and their relationships with their community (swamp, reservoir, canal) that serve as point of evaluation. Also offers initial talking points around adapting and adopting processes wisely that tie a church to it's mission, if they choose to do so.

[Dave Pettengill]

This is a good book but not great. I gave it 3 stars because I think the market is saturated with this topic and there and multiple other choices out there that I would recommend reading over this book. It is not bad by any means just not one I will probably go back to.

[Troy]

A must for church practitioners!

Marvelous work! A must for every faith community that wants to live! It is very easy yo read. Thanks to the authors.

[Linda]

WE read this as a church and attended a workshop by the author. It has good ideas on how to get your church started after a corona virus shut down.

[Rebecca E Mentzer]

Read as part of my preparation for a church retreat. Many helpful points.

[Lynda Spring]

Swamp, Reservoir, Canal

Defining a church congregation.
Discerning ways to stay relevant
Read for a leadership retreat.
Thought provoking.

[Scott Bach-Hansen]

I'm thankful to have studied at the feet of Dr. Powe while attending Wesley Theological Seminary. This book was assigned reading for one of our classes on evangelism. It is a great resource for any church leader and helps to identify ways to find your way in church leadership and welcoming people to Christ.