Kicking Habits: Welcome Relief for Addicted Churches

by Thomas G. Bandy

Existing congregations and denominations are so addicted to self-destructive practices that they cannot change until they admit their bondage. These practices include a hunt for doctrinal purity on the theological right, and a desire for political justice on the theological left. The answer is a complete systemic transformation of congregations or denomination, and consultant Thomas Bandy offers twenty shocking truths that thriving churches have discovered. In Kicking Welcome Relief for Addicted Churches, Thomas Bandy helps pastors and other leaders of addicted churches kick their habits by deconstructing the existing system, followed by an emphasis on small-group ministry, multi-track worship experiences, the retraining of enabling pastors, and an abiding, relentless sensitivity toward people who are seeking a Higher Power but who have lost patience with conflicted, self-absorbed religious institutions. The book is loaded with test instruments, helpful charts and surveys and perceptive insights into the dilemmas faced by pastors and other church leaders.

231 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1997

Reviews

[Adele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This helped a lot with thinking about my ministry and would be useful to political organizers as well.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quotable:
"Growth" occures when a living organism truly "thrives."

Even in religions where the population is declining, they are in vigorous conversation with the fastest-growing segment of that population, namely, the spiritually yearning and institutionally unhappy public.

The declining church is an addict. Churches are addicted to habitual, self-destructive behavior patterns which they do not even recognize! No matter how well-meaning, sincere, and spiritually sensitive the church is, members still cannot bring themselves to admit or see the inner addictions that dictate church life and mission.

Very few people are actually called to church management. Some clearly discern spiritual gifts for administration, and they may be called to exercise that spiritual gift in the organizational life of the church. Only a few are needed. Others with the gift of administration may be called to organize and supervise a variety of charitable or community organizations. The point is that spiritual maturity does not lead to management, but to ministry. It does not lead to bureaucracy, but to some form of activism.

Just as a system will produce only what it is designed to produce and nothing else - so also, an organization will accomplish only what the system allows it to accomplish and nothing else!

Addiction to "safety nets." People desperately wanted organizations to be tidy, absolutely consistent, simple, and secure from failure. They would sacrifice their own health and opportunity for personal growth to be in such an organization!

[David Herndon · Rating 1 out of 5]

To say that this book was devoid of any useful gleanings would be inaccurate and unfair. It had two or three useful bits of information. The rest was a mishmash of muddled mumbo-jumbo and pseudo-Christian jargon. Do churches and denominations become tradition bound? Yes. Does that mean all tradition is to be considered stifling and outdated - hardly. Following the advice in this book would lead one to forming a "church" without any biblical standards, no responsibilities from members (actually you would only have attenders because membership is also an addiction churches have) and a Laodicean approach to ministry that is already condemned by Jesus.
I am very disappointed in this book, but more so by conclusion of churches being transformed into visionary motivators instead of places of spiritual growth according to biblical standards. I definitely do not recommend this as a good read.

[Karen Cress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Church organizations are addicted! What a concept!! Tom Bandy is brilliant in his understanding of all church organizations across all denominations and community churches. What a gift to God's people -- if we will listen!

[Michelle Sens]

Another book I'm reading for church. Very interesting on church growth.