10 Prescriptions for a Healthy Church

by Bob Farr, Kay Kotan, Michael J. Coyner (Foreword)

Ten Prescriptions for a Healthy Church
offers prescriptions for the top ten issues seen during church
consultations. Bob Farr and Kay Kotan share their expertise from working
with churches across the country, detailing the most common concerns
and obstacles, and then go straight to the What to change, and
how, for positive results. They offer a helpful approach to fixing
common problems, and strategies to help congregations achieve success in
specific areas of ministry. Proven success stories offer practical
application, inspiration, and hope.

I
love the way this book addresses issues of mission, vision, worship,
hospitality, outreach, and other important matters and offers concrete,
pragmatic practices to fulfill these without compromising the gospel.
This is a refreshing new guide for pastors and laity. --Tex Sample,
Robert B. and Kathleen Rogers Professor Emeritus of Church and Society,
Saint Paul School of Theology
Bob
and Kay have so much experience. They get the types of changes most
churches need are not new. The pathway to health is not flashy. Basic,
steady, That is what you find in this very useful material. --
Cathy Townley, Worship and Church Planting Consultant and Coach,
Minnesota Annual Conference, UMC
Bob
Farr is a powerhouse of a leader who has a great grasp on what it takes
for a congregation to discover the path toward vitality and health. As
you read the prescriptions in this amazing book, you will see a catalyst
for Jesus Christ. --Bob Crossman, New Church Strategist; author, Committed to Six Steps to a Generous Life
Nobody
is better than Bob and Kay at explaining the concept -- and the
specifics -- of ‘Prescriptions’ than can improve local church health.
Very few people have spent more hours in church basements, parlors and
sanctuaries across the country helping churches diagnose – and
overcome—the real life problems they face. Leveraging years of
experience and insights, this book is an easy-to-use, instrumental tool
for clergy and laity in churches that are willing to take definitive
steps toward a new future. --Jim Ozier, Church Consultant, Coach,
Speaker; author, Clip Risking Hospitality in Your Church

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2015

Reviews

[Brian White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book reminds me of why I don't read these kinds of books often. There are many assumptions in this book I disagree with. It is very formulaic. Full of cliches and uncreative thinking there is very little real innovation in these pages.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our church is participating in the Healthier Church Initiative, and this was helpful to understand the prescriptions that were written for us.

[Jeff Bobin · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are a few choice nuggets here. If you are in a large church, 300+ average attendance, it will be more valuable than for smaller churches.

I found that most of the book was irrelevant to small congregations and would be hard to have them even be able to see themselves in the problems let alone the ability to implement the prescriptions. Part of this may be because the authors appear to have done their work in a small area and lack understanding of the broader context I believe is needed in this type of writing.

At times very good points got lost in the descriptions of how to implement because the prescriptions were administered in far larger congregations than are often needing this work of revitalization that most.

If you are in a large multi-staff church it will be far more valuable to you than to those of us serving smaller or multi-point charges.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I appreciate about this book is he explanation of the common Matthew 28 prescriptions