The Hidden Lives of Congregations: Discerning Church Dynamics

by Israel Galindo

Faced with crisis, lack of direction, or just plain "stuckness," many congregations and their leaders are content to deal only with surface issues and symptoms—only to discover that the same problems keep recurring, often in different, and more serious, ways. In The Hidden Lives of Congregations, Christian educator and consultant Israel Galindo takes leaders below the surface of congregational life to provide a comprehensive, holistic look at the corporate nature of church relationships and the invisible dynamics at play. Informed by family systems theory and grounded in a wide-ranging ecclesiological understanding, Galindo unpacks clearly the factors of congregational lifespan, size, spirituality, and identity and shows how these work together to form the congregation’s hidden life. He provides useful tools for diagnosing and understanding how one’s congregation fits into the various categories he names and suggests what leadership skills are necessary to get beyond the impasse of surface issues and help the congregation achieve its mission.
The Hidden Lives of Congregations provides one of the most far-reaching looks into the invisible nature of faith communities written in recent years. For seminaries and divinity schools, it provides a standard text for getting a solid start in congregational practices; for experienced pastors, it provides support for renewing ministry; for lay leaders and committees, it offers insight to deepening mutual ministry. Israel Galindo has written an indispensable manual that leaders will return to repeatedly for new wisdom and guidance

Genres: Leadership, Church, Religion, Theology

240 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2004

Reviews

[Aldon Hynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title indicates, this book is very helpful for people wishing to understand dynamics of a church congregation where they may serve or be a member. It is a classic my classmates often refer back to.

[Amber Kidwell Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave me a lot to think about. Basically, social psychology of a church. Everything that influences and affects everything, and how to interact with that when you’re in a formal ministry role (but also, when you’re not). What to expect and not expect of ministers, eldership, and members.

[Lori Neff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of the many aspects of congregational relational dynamics.

[Richard M Whitfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Going to re-read it soon!

[Jose Soto · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for congregational ministry candidates. Galindo's perspective offers an "inside" look for new pastors at how to [truly] discern and shepherd the dynamics of local churches.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of good information in this book, but I don't think anyone not required to read it for a class would actually attempt it. It is very text heavy.

[Alan Marr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a re-read rather than a first effort. It is a foundational book for any person seeking to understand congregational systems. Highly recommended.

[Bill Ver Velde · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few good takeaways but very hard to get through. It took me a long time to get through this one.