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See, Know & Serve the People Within Your Reach
In See, Know and Serve, Tom Bandy shows how the transition between Christendom and Post-Christendom is unfolding at different speeds and with different twists in diverse regions and places, and that this development makes standardizing ministry practices, or using collections of "best practices," unsuccessful in growing God's mission. Bandy presents startlingly
new ways to view congregations and communities, enabling leaders to understand the people within their reach on a granular level. The author demonstrates with real-world examples how organizations can translate this information into practical strategies and tactics. The book includes helpful charts and diagrams, making the material surprisingly easy to digest and share. This
important, groundbreaking and convicting book lays out with depth and clarity a pioneering new way forward for every church and every mission-focused organization. Bandy shows how we can see the people in our communities with unparalleled clarity, so that we can serve them—fulfilling our mission—effectively.
new ways to view congregations and communities, enabling leaders to understand the people within their reach on a granular level. The author demonstrates with real-world examples how organizations can translate this information into practical strategies and tactics. The book includes helpful charts and diagrams, making the material surprisingly easy to digest and share. This
important, groundbreaking and convicting book lays out with depth and clarity a pioneering new way forward for every church and every mission-focused organization. Bandy shows how we can see the people in our communities with unparalleled clarity, so that we can serve them—fulfilling our mission—effectively.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 2, 2016
For the longest time I used to say, "I've never read a credible church leadership book that said it was okay for dying mainline churches just to keep doing what their are doing." But now that's changed. Thomas Bandy says that (in so many words) in See, Know & Serve.
Bandy is an expert in demographic statistics, and from those statistics he is able to identify a number of "lifestyle segments" that exist in North America. Each of those lifestyle segments has their own set of preferences when it comes to Leadership Alternatives, Hospitality Alternatives, Mission-Targeted Worship Alternatives, Small-Group Alternatives, and so on. He does not say any lifestyle segment is inherently better than another. In fact, every lifestyle segment thinks THEY are the best, and church and culture should serve THEIR needs. And each lifestyle segment's particular mix of preferences is unique and has very little overlap with the preference mix of other lifestyle segments. And the fact of the matter is there is a lifestyle segment that likes mainline churches just they way they are; and it is legitimate to minister to their needs. BUT (and you knew there was a "but" coming), to be the church Christ calls us to be, we should be ministering to the lifestyle segment(s) in our neighborhoods. And if your church population does not resemble the population around your church ... you have some serious soul-searching to do about faithfulness, fruitfulness, and mission-mindedness.
Bandy does yeoman's work laying out the various lifestyle segments and their preferences. Of course these are generalizations, and Bandy is very clear that neither books like his nor demographic research is a substitute for actually meeting with, talking with, and getting to know the actual people who live in your neighborhoods. And, Bandy warns, don't get comfortable with your demographic assessments. Neighborhoods and lifestyle segments are changing at a rapid rate. What is true now will probably not be true five years from now. This kind of research and evaluation is critical for any church serious about doing strategic planning to be in mission to the people around them.
Implementing the insights in this book will be a daunting task, especially for already existing churches who have to honor the needs of the lifestyle segment that currently calls the church home, while seeking to be relevant and responsive to the lifestyle segments that inhabit their neighborhoods and need what the church could be offering to them. And I wouldn't suggest trying it without the help of a consultant like Bandy. But I think the results would be amazing; and I think Jesus would be pleased.
Bandy is an expert in demographic statistics, and from those statistics he is able to identify a number of "lifestyle segments" that exist in North America. Each of those lifestyle segments has their own set of preferences when it comes to Leadership Alternatives, Hospitality Alternatives, Mission-Targeted Worship Alternatives, Small-Group Alternatives, and so on. He does not say any lifestyle segment is inherently better than another. In fact, every lifestyle segment thinks THEY are the best, and church and culture should serve THEIR needs. And each lifestyle segment's particular mix of preferences is unique and has very little overlap with the preference mix of other lifestyle segments. And the fact of the matter is there is a lifestyle segment that likes mainline churches just they way they are; and it is legitimate to minister to their needs. BUT (and you knew there was a "but" coming), to be the church Christ calls us to be, we should be ministering to the lifestyle segment(s) in our neighborhoods. And if your church population does not resemble the population around your church ... you have some serious soul-searching to do about faithfulness, fruitfulness, and mission-mindedness.
Bandy does yeoman's work laying out the various lifestyle segments and their preferences. Of course these are generalizations, and Bandy is very clear that neither books like his nor demographic research is a substitute for actually meeting with, talking with, and getting to know the actual people who live in your neighborhoods. And, Bandy warns, don't get comfortable with your demographic assessments. Neighborhoods and lifestyle segments are changing at a rapid rate. What is true now will probably not be true five years from now. This kind of research and evaluation is critical for any church serious about doing strategic planning to be in mission to the people around them.
Implementing the insights in this book will be a daunting task, especially for already existing churches who have to honor the needs of the lifestyle segment that currently calls the church home, while seeking to be relevant and responsive to the lifestyle segments that inhabit their neighborhoods and need what the church could be offering to them. And I wouldn't suggest trying it without the help of a consultant like Bandy. But I think the results would be amazing; and I think Jesus would be pleased.
June 5, 2015
This book gives you ideas on how to reach the people in your ministry setting based upon statistical population data and the personal anxieties that typify those segments. A good mix of the practical and theoretical.
June 11, 2016
A Helpful Way to Understand Church Dynamic s
This book is an Eye-opener with regard to understand ing the expectations of congregation s and the sorts of pastoral skills and administrative and mission expectations.
This book is an Eye-opener with regard to understand ing the expectations of congregation s and the sorts of pastoral skills and administrative and mission expectations.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews