The Presence Centered Church

by Bill Elliff, Byron Paulus (Foreword)

Everything flows from the presence of the Lord. If you have Him, you have everything that matters and lasts. Without Him, you have nothing. But, to build a church where Christ is present takes serious and deliberate intentionality. Bill Elliff, Pastor of The Summit Church in Arkansas and leader in the OneCry movement, has pastored for over 45 years and been in many experiences where God has made Himself wonderfully known. With keen insight, this book will help the pastor or church leader understand how to build a church that is filled with the presence of Christ. Readers will gain biblical understanding and also practical handles on how to personally experiencing Christ, remove spiritual and structural barriers to Christ's presence, create healthy, Biblical environments for growth, bring God-initiation into their planning, etc. A model for church life is illustrated around experiencing the presence of Christ, equipping people for life and ministry, and engaging a lost world. The reader will find in this book wonderful helps both in his/her personal life as well as leading small groups, a church, or a movement of churches.

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2015

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The conviction and simplicity of Bill’s writing style was so good throughout. His constant refrain that everything we could truly desire is found in the presence of God was a great rally cry as he set up the need for God’s presence and clear action steps on how to move towards God’s presence. To be a church that knows the presence of God we must become churches that desperate for Him to show up.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐ | I did not see this 5 ⭐ read coming as it was required reading for a church leadership retreat I attended this past weekend. But I was so pleasantly surprised by how much wisdom and inspiration I gleaned from Bill Elliff not only for the local church, but for me personally. And I think all Christ-followers desiring an increased awareness of God's presence in their lives would find the same to be true.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"A mature leader desires a growing, vibrant, daily experience with God" (pg 25).

"If we want to be a church that is filled with the presence of God, we must let Him initiate our planning, but also let Him initiate unexpected turns that can be explained only in terms of His activity among us" (pg 46).

"Do whatever is necessary to listen. You must pray, not just with a bowed head or bended knee, but with a heart unceasingly tuned to Him throughout every moment. Prayer is not a part of the Christian life; it is the Christ-life, and you must sacrifice everything to still each competing voice" (pg 134).

My copy is filled up with notes, underlines, and dog-ears. I know I'll be revisiting this one for years to come and am so grateful to have read it!

[Glenn Plum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few people would be more qualitied to write on this subject than Bill Elliff. It has been the heartbeat of his life and ministry and the fact that he has chosen to share this passion with others makes sense.
The book is particularly helpful in reminding the reader of what matters most within the context of the church being healthy.