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Pulling the Thread: A Pastoral Philosophy on Church Revitalization
316 pages, Paperback
Published November 4, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 26, 2026
Pastoral, gentle, and honest.
With church revitalization books, sometimes it feels like 120 pages of bashing those in our churches who gave us scars - Dave Kiehn does a much better job of encouraging the reader with the glory of God in the work of a pastor. Sheep are to be cared for, not bashed.
The work of the pastor is difficult, we may grow weary, but we must never stop pulling the thread as we shepherd God’s sheep into the promised land.
Dave was pastoral in tone, gentle in heart, and honest with his desires to help pastors through the work of revitalization.
With church revitalization books, sometimes it feels like 120 pages of bashing those in our churches who gave us scars - Dave Kiehn does a much better job of encouraging the reader with the glory of God in the work of a pastor. Sheep are to be cared for, not bashed.
The work of the pastor is difficult, we may grow weary, but we must never stop pulling the thread as we shepherd God’s sheep into the promised land.
Dave was pastoral in tone, gentle in heart, and honest with his desires to help pastors through the work of revitalization.
January 26, 2026
This book was a great read for a few reasons.
First, it was truly a great book. I am in seminary, recently finished a pastoral residency, and have been getting discipled at a church sense 2019. I have read a lot of Christain books. I have read a lot of books on pastoral ministry. I have even read a lot of the books on church revitalization. And this one was simply great. The pros, the autobiographical elements, scripture references, use of history, and the sharp rebukes partnered with the warm hugs made it feel like I was in the same room with the author. The book was really well written with next to no wasted space. I was able to finish it in three sittings because of the flow even with it being almost 300pgs.
Second, the first three chapters are phenomenal. One of the lacking elements of other books on church revitalization is a longer form treatise on the personal realities that a pastor faces in a revitalization. I am not a pastor but I am in ministry serving as a college director. In a spirt of vulnerability, after reading the passage on the pastor and his wife I read sections to my wife with tears in my eyes to repent to her of ways I had been convicted by the book. That is the power of those first three chapters, they are worth purchasing the book.
Third, the wisdom in these pages is years in the making. 13 years to be exact. The practical and direct wisdom found in this book about church revitalization is only found in few others. Any brother going into revitalization should read Pulling the Thread, Revitalize by Andy Davis, and How to Build a Healthy Church. That set will give a brother-pastor ample wisdom has he conquers his new ministerial mountain.
Fourth, it is congregant-centric. Notice that I did not say “church-centric”. It is that too, but it is chiefly congregant-centric. What I mean is that Dave writes about and for the betterment of actual people in the pews. He loves pastors, that comes through on the page. But chiefly this book seeks to ultimately benefit the Lord’s sheep whom undershepherds serve momentarily until the chief shepherd appears.
Fifth, the work is real. I have the privledge of knowing the man behind the book. He has been my pastor / mentor for 7 years and my boss for almost 2. Paul writes, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). Dave Kiehn is a man worth imitating in ministry. I am thankful for this book because the pastor that I love so deeply has sought to give the gifts that the Lord has given him in the written word. I have watched Dave do the things in this book and that is why I often turned the pages with tear filled eyes thanking the Lord for this dear brother.
Pastor, seminarian, aspiring minister… read it. It’s worth it.
5/5
First, it was truly a great book. I am in seminary, recently finished a pastoral residency, and have been getting discipled at a church sense 2019. I have read a lot of Christain books. I have read a lot of books on pastoral ministry. I have even read a lot of the books on church revitalization. And this one was simply great. The pros, the autobiographical elements, scripture references, use of history, and the sharp rebukes partnered with the warm hugs made it feel like I was in the same room with the author. The book was really well written with next to no wasted space. I was able to finish it in three sittings because of the flow even with it being almost 300pgs.
Second, the first three chapters are phenomenal. One of the lacking elements of other books on church revitalization is a longer form treatise on the personal realities that a pastor faces in a revitalization. I am not a pastor but I am in ministry serving as a college director. In a spirt of vulnerability, after reading the passage on the pastor and his wife I read sections to my wife with tears in my eyes to repent to her of ways I had been convicted by the book. That is the power of those first three chapters, they are worth purchasing the book.
Third, the wisdom in these pages is years in the making. 13 years to be exact. The practical and direct wisdom found in this book about church revitalization is only found in few others. Any brother going into revitalization should read Pulling the Thread, Revitalize by Andy Davis, and How to Build a Healthy Church. That set will give a brother-pastor ample wisdom has he conquers his new ministerial mountain.
Fourth, it is congregant-centric. Notice that I did not say “church-centric”. It is that too, but it is chiefly congregant-centric. What I mean is that Dave writes about and for the betterment of actual people in the pews. He loves pastors, that comes through on the page. But chiefly this book seeks to ultimately benefit the Lord’s sheep whom undershepherds serve momentarily until the chief shepherd appears.
Fifth, the work is real. I have the privledge of knowing the man behind the book. He has been my pastor / mentor for 7 years and my boss for almost 2. Paul writes, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). Dave Kiehn is a man worth imitating in ministry. I am thankful for this book because the pastor that I love so deeply has sought to give the gifts that the Lord has given him in the written word. I have watched Dave do the things in this book and that is why I often turned the pages with tear filled eyes thanking the Lord for this dear brother.
Pastor, seminarian, aspiring minister… read it. It’s worth it.
5/5
July 14, 2026
Fantastic. I only wished he discussed corporate worship & liturgy as it relates to church revitalization.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews