Power Surge: Six Marks of Discipleship for a Changing Church

by Michael W. Foss

Drawing on his experience at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Foss makes the case for transforming congregations from a membership model to a discipleship model of church affiliation. The book begins with a careful analysis of recent patterns in church membership/demographics which argue for this paradigm shift. Subsequent chapters detail the unique leadership and organizational needs of a discipleship model; explore the building and maintaining of fundamental trust--in God and in His people--as the cornerstone of the model; and provide practical helps for assessing the present and strategies for moving into the future.

Genres: Nonfiction

184 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2000

Reviews

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good points about migrating a membership-driven church to a discipleship-driven church. Read as part of the curriculum for my ABIDE team. Now to put into practice what was preached ... always the hardest part.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent advice on how to move your church from the codependency of membership to the faithful life of discipleship.

[Chris Halverson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third time reading this book since seminary.
At one point I thought a Power Surge style ministry was the future of ministry, and I do think cultivating discipleship in members is key to ministry these days and naming expectations that are greater than yearly attendance and throwing some change in the collection plate is necessary, but aome other aspects of the books don't ring as true as they once did.

[Leland Seese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the "summer read" for the entire congregation of Mt. Baker Park Presbyterian Church. Within one cover, Foss captures the wisdom of about 6 other books I have read, and several post-seminary continuing education classes I have taken. Anyone serious about the challenges and opportunities of post-modern Christianity, and the practical strategies for renewing their personal faith and the life of the church ought to read this book.

[Dennis Peay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally read this years ago and now re-read as part of Cokesbury UMC's vision team. We will be sharing this with the congregation throughout the summer as we discern God's vision for growing as disciples as we grow disciples.

[Carol Naille · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short read with very good points. Read the Bible every day. Go to church.
Walk in Jesus's footsteps. Good advice for the fast paced life. Best read by clergy or churches who want relevance in today's society.

[Eunys · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is much for thought for anyone who has a part in a Christian church that is seeking to build discipleship or spirituality of members.

[Elizabeth]

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...#

[Dale Critchley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book about the "membership" mentality, but it never gets into the "how to" part, baiting the reader but never actually feeding the hunger. Still a great book, though.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Foss has excellent, practical guidance in development of a discipling culture in the modern church. His "marks of discipleship" could serve any congregation well in changing its direction.

[Mark Matzke · Rating 4 out of 5]

challenging thoughts on discipleship