Living Lutheran: Renewing Your Congregation

Lutheran Voices

by Dave Daubert

Kelly Fryer's book Reclaiming the L Word introduced one congregation's journey through renewal. Now Dave Daubert provides a practical how-to guide that will enable church leaders to help individual congregations walk through the process for themselves. Creative and informative, the book provides a straightforward approach that helps congregations reclaim Lutheran tradition for the 21st century. Includes questions for individual or group reflection and an additional resources section.

96 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2007

Reviews

[Margaret Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

You might wonder why a rabbi is reading a book about living a Lutheran life. This book was recommended as a way to look at congregational renewal. How do you grow a congregation? What happens after you write a mission statement? What is the difference between a mission statement and a purpose statement? And guiding principles? What is the role of G-d, prayer, scripture? How do you put these in the center of the conversation? What happens if the dream comes true but it is not quite what the dream was and angers people? This a practical guide using Christian scriptures, personal anecdotes and discussion questions that gently guide. I found myself agreeing with so much of it. It could be easily adapted.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good process for developing a church mission statement and guiding principles. Not a lot new for me, but helpful in thinking. Needs to be used in community to be useful, but isn't quite what I'm looking for for our community right now.

[Book Nerds In MN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, but need the majority of your congregation in board and willing to put it into action. Like he says in the book, if it's just your church council making decisions without buy in from and dialogue with members at large, not much will change.

[Rev James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good guide for church renewal

Very good help in how to effect renewal in a church. Might have included a little more in terms of dealing with individual resistance to renewal

[Gabby Njie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good book to read.