Can We Do That: 24 Innovative Practices That Will Change the Way You Do Church

by Andy Stanley, Ed Young

No matter how you ask the questions, the answer is always the same. Yes you can! You can incorporate innovative strategies into your church ministrystrategies that will affect not only the way you do church but that will dramatically impact the lives of current church members and help you in reaching out to your community.

In this refreshingly practically book, Andy Stanley and Ed Youngtwo of America's most innovative and effective church leadersdeliver twenty-four creative ministry tools that you can adapt and use to help your own church be all God intends it to be.

The inspirational stories on North Point Community Church in Atlanta and the Fellowship Church in Dallas are stories of small church plants that have grown into churches with weekend attendance of nine and fifteen thousand. But the true success of these dynamic churches is not revealed in their big numbers but in the lives that have been forever changed by the life-giving message of Jesus.

What you learn in the pages of this book will enable you to change the lives of those you serve — forever.

Genres: Leadership, Church

194 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Andy Stanley is the senior pastor of North Point Community Church, Buckhead Church, and Browns Bridge Community Church. He also founded North Point Ministries, which is a worldwide Christian organization.

Reviews

[Mike Bright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting look at how a couple megachurches do things. I already know Andy Stanley's work through a couple video series (at small groups) and some of his writing. I had heard of Ed Young a few times. I appreciate both of their commitments to Biblical preaching and to the gospel. I appreciated hearing about how their churches work. They make a lot of good points.

Being a professor, I have to find something to improve. Although there is some history in the book, I wanted to hear a bit more about how their ministries worked when the churches were smaller. Both of these churches were built by the senior pastors with a specific philosophy in mind. I want to see how this would apply to an existing church trying to switch gears after many years of a different philosophy (my church's situation). However, these are minor criticisms of a book that casts a compelling vision of what church should be.

[Randy Corn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of the pastoral practices of Andy Stanley, who is something of a trend setter in ministry. I thought some of the ideas were good and novel, which is what I look for in this sort of volume. The biggest benefit of this book is the positive tone of it. It made me want to be a better pastor.

[Ryan Schreckenghaust · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yep, it’s 20 years old AND it’s super helpful given that many churches are “relaunching” for a COVID world. This is a quick and easy read that will get you thinking about what’s next!

[Matt Burgess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can We Do That?: Innovative practices that will change the way you do church (2004), Andy Stanley and Ed Young
Can we share the practices that form that foundation of our organizations? Basically, that is the question Andy Stanley and Ed Young tossed around on a vacation together before co-authoring the book, Can We Do That? I'll answer the question. Yes.

At some point you will ask, "can we do that" or "can I do that?" Although this book by two of America's most effective church leaders is about the church and for the church, you may identify with the creativity and strategy laid out in 24 chapters. Heavier on church specifics, nuggets of general organizational wisdom can be found through the specifics both authors describe in their different experiences.

The book is divided into four parts:

Reaching Out presents ideas and philosophies on reaching the target audience, which is the unchurched person.
Ministering to People deals with those people that are engaged. Several specific topics are described in detail and various programs are mentioned.
Leading the Church describes how the leadership team is kept on mission and how new leaders are brought on board or developed from within.
Getting the Message Across is more specific to leading the larger audience into growing relationships with Christ, keeping focus on the underlying mission and specifically how to approach message topics, timing and preparation.
The way co-authorship is handled in the book is interesting with each chapter constructed in two styles: either around a 50/50 split in perspectives or a 90/10 where one author delivers most of the content. For the 90/10 chapters, either both authors in sync or respectfully disagree. The beautiful thing about co-authorship is while both men have differing strategies they respect each other's mission to bring people into a growing relationship with Christ.

[Peter Mead · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are definitely some good thoughts in this book, but it is starting to feel a bit dated. I would recommend you read Deep & Wide by Andy Stanley over this one (or other later Stanley books). I have not read any other Ed Young books, so can't comment on his work. This is worth a read, if you get the chance.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some concepts I enjoyed: "church that is creative, relevant and exciting to attend", "ministry designed with unchurched in mind", baptize in the morning and show baptism videos, membership into group strategy, "join another church to sit and soak".

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great food for thought - I love learning how other churches "do" ministry. I learned some things I'd like to implement in my ministry!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good to read different perspectives on leadership areas in conversation with one another

[Ryan Fisher]

very cool book, with lots of good ideas for ministry