Dirt Matters: The Foundation For a Healthy, Vibrant, And Effective Congregation

by Jim Powell

Every church has a unique culture that serves as the soil where its ministry occurs. A church's culture is the somewhat nebulous and complex blend of norms, beliefs, attitudes, traditions, and practices that define the congregation. The culture establishes the environment that often predetermines the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of God's Word within that body of believers. It influences a congregation's potential impact more than techniques, programs, or pragmatic changes. Dirt Matters explains and illustrates the importance of church culture, connecting it to a simple analogy that anyone can understand. It also shares how it's possible to cultivate and nurture a healthier church environment that can put you and your congregation in a better position to bear fruit for God's glory.

170 pages, Paperback

First published July 29, 2013

About the author

This is the disambiguation profile for otherwise unseparated authors publishing as Jim Powell

See also:
James Powell
Jimmie Powell

Reviews

[Steve Penner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is on the importance of learning a church's culture before going about the task of change. Read as part of a pastoral reading group, we decided that it would be a great book for seminary or pastoral training. It gives lots of practical pointers for the young and excitable pastor to utilize. But for us older geezers, most of this is water under the bridge that we learned the hard way.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a relatively shorter book examining foundational issues for a church's culture with some possible starting points reviewed. I'm giving it 5 stars for the comprehensive insightful nature the author maintains through it. One word of advice, take breaks reading it so you can process it with a fresh perspective.

[MIchaela Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully challenging

It’s not a dense read and is still rich with insight that is accessible. Every church leader should read this not only pastors. Everyone who cares about the health of their congregation should make time for this.

[Aaron de neui · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Good. Will re read. Seems applicable for more than just church culture. Also an easy read.

[Karl Dumas · Rating 5 out of 5]

using soil as a metaphor for the culture of a church, we learn that dirt does matter! Fascinating book

[Chauncey Lattimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Larry Osborne gives one of the best reasons to read Dirt Matters, the recently published book by Jim Powell. As provider of the “Foreword,” Larry writes, “Jim knows what he’s talking about. His ideas and insights aren’t mere theory. He’s put them into practice and has the fruit to prove they work.” The fruit? Jim has provided leadership to a congregation that has grown from 65 to over 1,500 by means of “changing the culture rather than merely changing the programs” (x). Not only have I had the privilege of meeting, hearing, and sharing with Jim on more than one occasion, but also know someone involved with the Richwoods Christian Church where all of this is taking place. Jim Powell is the real thing!
Don’t be misled by the title! Yes, the book is about dirt, and how dirt matters, but it is not a tirade regarding the moral failure that has plagued church leadership over the past decade. That being said, Jim would be the first to say that moral integrity is of primary importance: “When you begin to graciously hold people accountable for their actions and their words, you are on your way to establishing a healthy culture” (135-136).
Having read a lot of books related to church leadership over the past six years, Dirt Matters is one of the best! Structurally, the book is divided into three sections: the principle, the activators, and the application. Thus, the book is both practical and biblical. For example, even Jim’s use of the word ‘dirt’ is biblical in that it builds on Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8). He points out that as Jesus told the story, the sower and the seed remain constant, “…the key variable in this parable is—the soil.” He quickly identifies the soil (dirt) – as the parable is related to the church – as the ‘culture’ of the congregation: “A church’s culture is the somewhat nebulous and complex blend of norms, beliefs, attitudes, traditions, and practices that define the congregation” (7). Jim’s use of the biblical text is solid throughout, remaining consistent with the biblical themes and truths.
Dirt Matters is also very practical book. The reader is provided “hands-on” tools to bring about the change necessary in order for a church to be described by the subtitle – “a healthy, vibrant, and effective congregation.” The size or location of the congregation is neutralized, since the focus is on being relevant – that is, “…taking the message of the gospel and communicating it in a way that is applicable to that generation of society” (82) In order to accomplish this, the reader is given principles for healthy change, categories of Christlikeness, and damaging barricades keeping congregations from maturing.
One paragraph, in particular, gives you a feel for where the book is pointing:
One of the important things to keep in mind about values is that they are nouns. Churches are infatuated with verbs and for good reason. The church should be about action and mission. But nouns are essential, too. A noun is a person, place, thing, idea, or quality. Nouns speak of substance, not action, even though they influence action. This is important because soil is a noun! Soil is not action—it’s substance—yet if forms the context in which the seed grows and produces fruit. (19)
Thanks, Jim, for taking the time and spending the energy to share with those of us who want to be participants in congregations that are having an impact a portion of what you learned as you travelled the road ahead. We also want to thank you for reminding us that this is not just another “formula for guaranteed results,” even though your book offers biblical and practical principles.

[Dalen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read on what can be the basic causes preventing growth in a church - and not just growth in attendance numbers. The book challenged me to think about myself. I would like for the author to go even further in each chapter with some practical instructions on what to do. The book is short and easy to read. I'm planning on buying additional copies for friends at my church.

[Rodney Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim writes from a fatherly perspective, as a leader to leaders. His practical insight coupled with effective results give credence to what he says. This book is highly recommended to anyone in any capacity of church leadership. Jim will give you insight and tools that are applicable to any situation. Very glad I read this book.

[Gayle Tabor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.