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Seven Practices of Effective Ministry
There’s no scoreboard in the sanctuary, and the only plate is probably for the offering. But every church leader needs to know how to win, and every congregation needs to know when to cheer. This insightful book speaks to every church leader who yearns for a simpler, more effective approach to ministry. An engaging parable about one overwhelmed pastor is followed by an overview of seven successful team practices, each one developed and applied in a ministry setting. Reinforced by relevant discussion questions, these clear, easy, and strategic practices can turn any ministry into a winning team.
Your ministry is perfectly designed to produce the results you are currently experiencing. If you are satisfied with those results, you don’t need this book. If not, it’s time for a change.
Like your own personal trainer, 7 Practices of Effective Ministry is an insightful guide for any leader who yearns for a simpler, more effective approach to ministry. Here are seven strategic principles that when put into play will bring focus and clarity to everything you do and turn your ministry into a winning team.
Story Behind the Book
Looking for ways to help pastors faced with hectic lives and depleted resources, Andy Stanley, Reggie Joiner, and Lane Jones decided to write a parable about the complicated life of a local pastor. Rather than come straight at those in ministry with formulas and lists, they engage readers in an effort to have them identify with the character.
“For many years, I practiced and taught church growth. What I have witnessed as a member at North Point takes church growth to a whole new level. Andy and his team communicate principles that will add value to you and the church you love.”
-John C. Maxwell, founder, The INJOY Group
“Every professional athlete recognizes the value of solid coaching. The best are always working to get better. From what I’ve seen at North Point, these seven practices can improve the game of any church in America.”
-John Smoltz, Cy Young Award-winning pitcher
“The practices covered in this book are down-to-earth, practical, and come from real difference-makers who know what church leadership is all about. Andy, Reggie, and Lane have definitely hit the ball out of the park with the 7 Practices of Effective Ministry.”
-Ed Young, Jr., senior pastor, Fellowship Church
Your ministry is perfectly designed to produce the results you are currently experiencing. If you are satisfied with those results, you don’t need this book. If not, it’s time for a change.
Like your own personal trainer, 7 Practices of Effective Ministry is an insightful guide for any leader who yearns for a simpler, more effective approach to ministry. Here are seven strategic principles that when put into play will bring focus and clarity to everything you do and turn your ministry into a winning team.
Story Behind the Book
Looking for ways to help pastors faced with hectic lives and depleted resources, Andy Stanley, Reggie Joiner, and Lane Jones decided to write a parable about the complicated life of a local pastor. Rather than come straight at those in ministry with formulas and lists, they engage readers in an effort to have them identify with the character.
“For many years, I practiced and taught church growth. What I have witnessed as a member at North Point takes church growth to a whole new level. Andy and his team communicate principles that will add value to you and the church you love.”
-John C. Maxwell, founder, The INJOY Group
“Every professional athlete recognizes the value of solid coaching. The best are always working to get better. From what I’ve seen at North Point, these seven practices can improve the game of any church in America.”
-John Smoltz, Cy Young Award-winning pitcher
“The practices covered in this book are down-to-earth, practical, and come from real difference-makers who know what church leadership is all about. Andy, Reggie, and Lane have definitely hit the ball out of the park with the 7 Practices of Effective Ministry.”
-Ed Young, Jr., senior pastor, Fellowship Church
192 pages, Hardcover
Published August 18, 2004
152 people are currently reading
783 people want to read
About the author
Andy Stanley
277 books841 followersAndy Stanley is the senior pastor of North Point Community Church, Buckhead Church, and Browns Bridge Community Church. He also founded North Point Ministries, which is a worldwide Christian organization.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
March 1, 2012
A bit of a different spin on a more famous book with a very similar title.
This is a very pragmatic (& as one reviewer observed - a very Western philosophy) and simple approach to help clarify what it is you're trying to achieve in your ministry as a Pastor/Leader.
There's nothing really "new" in the book. BUT, it was, for me, invigorating and encouraging to read - it stirred me up (fanned the flame, so to speak) to be more intentional and deliberate in my approach to ministry in my Church and has helped refine some of my priorities.
Big Idea: know what you should be on about and go after it!
Yes, that means, pursuing and savoring the glory of God in all things - but what this book challenged me to do is figure out a little more closely "What does that look like in MY life and ministry?"
OF the 7 Practices:
Listen to outsiders & Work on it spoke to me loudest (at this point in time). We need to know who we are trying to reach and we need to be able to step up and out of the detail (i.e. busy-ness) to ensure that we are pursuing God's Glory not just living a church oriented religious lifestyle.
These 7 points would make a great discussion workshop afternoon with young leaders and any go-getters that are keen to move forward in ministry.
This is a very pragmatic (& as one reviewer observed - a very Western philosophy) and simple approach to help clarify what it is you're trying to achieve in your ministry as a Pastor/Leader.
There's nothing really "new" in the book. BUT, it was, for me, invigorating and encouraging to read - it stirred me up (fanned the flame, so to speak) to be more intentional and deliberate in my approach to ministry in my Church and has helped refine some of my priorities.
Big Idea: know what you should be on about and go after it!
Yes, that means, pursuing and savoring the glory of God in all things - but what this book challenged me to do is figure out a little more closely "What does that look like in MY life and ministry?"
OF the 7 Practices:
Listen to outsiders & Work on it spoke to me loudest (at this point in time). We need to know who we are trying to reach and we need to be able to step up and out of the detail (i.e. busy-ness) to ensure that we are pursuing God's Glory not just living a church oriented religious lifestyle.
These 7 points would make a great discussion workshop afternoon with young leaders and any go-getters that are keen to move forward in ministry.
June 18, 2019
This book was decent. I do love the practice of "clarifying the win", "thinking steps not programs," and "narrow the focus." However, I wrestle with these being toted as standard ministry practices, rather than practices that may work well for specific congregations. Many of these practices feel like practices that are specific to homogenous mega-churches, I would have loved more content on how these practices may look contextualized to smaller ministries, or multi-cultural ministries. Overall, it was a pretty decent read.
August 3, 2016
This makes a grade-A, excellent management and organizational-systems book! I have since moved past trying to micromanage the Kingdom, so this wouldn't be my first suggestion to you unless a management or organizational-systems kind of book is what you are after.
November 8, 2024
It was a solid run down on effective leadership in the church. Was a very easy read loved how simple, but applicable the concepts were.
December 7, 2021
This is one of the best books on ministry that I've ever read (I've read it at least five times!)
The first half of the book is written as a parable/allegory. It's a great introduction to the practices that are going to be discussed in greater detail in the second half of the book.
The actual "7 Practices are: (1) Clarify the Win, (2) Think Steps, Not Programs, (3) Narrow the Focus, (4) Teach Less for More, (5) Listen to Outsiders, (6) Replace Yourself, and (7) Work On It.
If you serve in any capacity in a church, this an incredible resource waiting to be discovered and applied to your local church setting.
Some of my favorite thoughts from this book are:
"Most churches do not have a reliable system for defining and measuring what success looks like at every level of the organization."
"Clarifying the win simple means communicating to your team what is really important and what really matters"
"Once you have carefully defined a win for a department or program, you need to spend time keeping it in front of your team, then spread to every area of the organization."
"Churches have a reputation for doing ministry without an end in mind."
"The gravitational pull of a church is usually toward over programming"
"Devoting a little of yourself to everything means committing a great deal of yourself to nothing."
"Your potential to make an impact with your life is directly related to your willingness to narrow your focus."
"Say only what you need to say to the people who need to hear it"
"Good teachers begin by identifying what is most important for their students to know."
"Focus on who your'e trying to reach, not who you're trying to keep"
"Replacing yourself means that you are willing to hand someone else a significant piece of what you do."
The first half of the book is written as a parable/allegory. It's a great introduction to the practices that are going to be discussed in greater detail in the second half of the book.
The actual "7 Practices are: (1) Clarify the Win, (2) Think Steps, Not Programs, (3) Narrow the Focus, (4) Teach Less for More, (5) Listen to Outsiders, (6) Replace Yourself, and (7) Work On It.
If you serve in any capacity in a church, this an incredible resource waiting to be discovered and applied to your local church setting.
Some of my favorite thoughts from this book are:
"Most churches do not have a reliable system for defining and measuring what success looks like at every level of the organization."
"Clarifying the win simple means communicating to your team what is really important and what really matters"
"Once you have carefully defined a win for a department or program, you need to spend time keeping it in front of your team, then spread to every area of the organization."
"Churches have a reputation for doing ministry without an end in mind."
"The gravitational pull of a church is usually toward over programming"
"Devoting a little of yourself to everything means committing a great deal of yourself to nothing."
"Your potential to make an impact with your life is directly related to your willingness to narrow your focus."
"Say only what you need to say to the people who need to hear it"
"Good teachers begin by identifying what is most important for their students to know."
"Focus on who your'e trying to reach, not who you're trying to keep"
"Replacing yourself means that you are willing to hand someone else a significant piece of what you do."
January 26, 2013
The staff from North Point Community lay out their strategy of ministry in a very concise manner. I feel that the principles laid out in the text are applicable to many churches. I did struggle through some of the book though as I am not a baseball fan. Therefore, some of the baseball analogies were lost on me and my mind got bored when they got too into baseball history or facts. Beyond that, I always struggle with books written as successful in mega churches that established themselves. In some ways they don't neatly fit into churches that have been around for generations. There are details in regards to certain of these principles that are harder to bring into play in an established congregation. An example would be that of listening to outsiders. If your church is so enmeshed by its own history, it is very difficult to emerge from that. How do we celebrate the history of a church while disregarding certain programs or people? I would like for a pastor at a longer established church to write a follow up to this book as to how the principles play themselves out in churches that have a longer history. The text itself was very readable.
November 11, 2020
Not big on the baseball analogy and it was referred to throughout the book, BUT the points were helpful. I struggle with looking at ministry so systematically, I trend towards a more Spirit-led ministry. That being said, I can see the value in this approach and my highlighter worked harder the further I got into the book.
I especially appreciated the ministry goals outlined on pages 126-127.
I was challenged by the phrase 'too much information can have a cancelling affect' - I am an information junkie but I can certainly see where information overload loses a lot of people. I've been thinking lately about how important it is to have a clearly communicated central truth - with young people but also with adults. Andy Stanley does a great job of concentrating his messages into one simple message, reinforcing it and repeating it. I'm working on it.
I LOVED the concept of invest and invite. (Pg. 131) This helps insiders think like outsiders and it's completely approachable, where typical evangelism efforts are awkward and ill-yielding with results. I can see where it is essential to have manageable steps in place to move visitors naturally toward the core.
pg. 173 made me 'ahah!' with the realization that God analyzed His work. He's perfect, if He stepped back to assess, so should we.
pg. 173 made me realize that celebration is essential. (the Old Testament is full of celebration) I'm thinking about creative ways to implement this facet of documenting wins.
And now I want to read 'the Tipping Point' by Malcom Gladwell.
I especially appreciated the ministry goals outlined on pages 126-127.
I was challenged by the phrase 'too much information can have a cancelling affect' - I am an information junkie but I can certainly see where information overload loses a lot of people. I've been thinking lately about how important it is to have a clearly communicated central truth - with young people but also with adults. Andy Stanley does a great job of concentrating his messages into one simple message, reinforcing it and repeating it. I'm working on it.
I LOVED the concept of invest and invite. (Pg. 131) This helps insiders think like outsiders and it's completely approachable, where typical evangelism efforts are awkward and ill-yielding with results. I can see where it is essential to have manageable steps in place to move visitors naturally toward the core.
pg. 173 made me 'ahah!' with the realization that God analyzed His work. He's perfect, if He stepped back to assess, so should we.
pg. 173 made me realize that celebration is essential. (the Old Testament is full of celebration) I'm thinking about creative ways to implement this facet of documenting wins.
And now I want to read 'the Tipping Point' by Malcom Gladwell.
July 30, 2020
Skip the fictional first half, unless you like that sort of thing!
For us, very relevant: Clarify the Win, Think Steps Not Programs, Narrow the Focus, Teach Less For More, and Replace Yourself.
Work On It is a bit obvious if someone is already reading this book, but always worth incorporating this into your system or calendar.
Very relevant for a lot of community organizations, not only Christian ministry. Intellectual integrity. Learn from those who have already put the ideas through their paces.
For us, very relevant: Clarify the Win, Think Steps Not Programs, Narrow the Focus, Teach Less For More, and Replace Yourself.
Work On It is a bit obvious if someone is already reading this book, but always worth incorporating this into your system or calendar.
Very relevant for a lot of community organizations, not only Christian ministry. Intellectual integrity. Learn from those who have already put the ideas through their paces.
February 13, 2020
Quick read with a great and engaging opening parable.
Overall content was good and well-written.
I think the parable for the first 60 pages could’ve spanned the entire book with the leadership principles being fleshed our in conversation and storytelling rather than a “here’s what we do” method.
All-in-all: good book with good content that will help an organization grow strategically and effectively.
Overall content was good and well-written.
I think the parable for the first 60 pages could’ve spanned the entire book with the leadership principles being fleshed our in conversation and storytelling rather than a “here’s what we do” method.
All-in-all: good book with good content that will help an organization grow strategically and effectively.
April 17, 2021
While I disagree with a lot of Stanley and Northpoint's ecclesiology and ministry philosophy, one has to acknowledge that what this staff has created is unique and has been effective in many areas. The seven practices given by these authors can enhance any team of any organization or church that is looking to not merely do better, but to instead ask questions that can keep one accountable to do better.
August 8, 2022
The first half of this book is told as a parable where a church leader meets a businessman and gets advice on various practices. The second half of the book gives more details on the practices:
1. Clarify the win
2. Think steps, not programs
3. Narrow the focus
4. Teach less for more
5. Listen to outsiders
6. Replace yourself
7. Work on it
Each chapter gives quite a bit of detail. The book is a quick easy read and has some good, solid advice in it.
1. Clarify the win
2. Think steps, not programs
3. Narrow the focus
4. Teach less for more
5. Listen to outsiders
6. Replace yourself
7. Work on it
Each chapter gives quite a bit of detail. The book is a quick easy read and has some good, solid advice in it.
July 19, 2018
Leadership improvement possible
Read this a long time ago but found some of the practices effective. It is a book filled with practices that have been tried and practiced. Are they for you and your ministry? Maybe, maybe not. This is not a read and do absolutely, but adapt and apply as needed and necessary.
Read this a long time ago but found some of the practices effective. It is a book filled with practices that have been tried and practiced. Are they for you and your ministry? Maybe, maybe not. This is not a read and do absolutely, but adapt and apply as needed and necessary.
March 12, 2020
I finally finished reading this book after a long time. It's a helpful tool to guide a church ministry. The seven practices are doable but not commonly practiced to the churches now. What resonated to me the most is the principle of replacing yourself. I learned it first from the other book I read titled Multiplication Challenge and it's a hard task but worth it. I encountered it again here.
June 25, 2023
Thought provoking
Seven Practices of Effective Ministry is a great book for any organization to read as a staff project and get together to discuss the practices of each chapter. Self evaluation is a benefit for a small one or two person ministry as well as for a ministry with hundreds of staff.
Seven Practices of Effective Ministry is a great book for any organization to read as a staff project and get together to discuss the practices of each chapter. Self evaluation is a benefit for a small one or two person ministry as well as for a ministry with hundreds of staff.
May 30, 2018
When I finished Creating Community a month or so ago I knew this needed to be my next ministry read. I love how North Point is able to communicate their ideas with humility. I recommend book for anyone who is leading a ministry organization it will bring alot of clarity to what you do.
September 2, 2018
We did a book study on this as a church staff. While there were a few things I wasn’t quite sure about, overall it was by far the most practical book about ministry I’ve ever read. It’s one we hope to break apart and dive deeper into chapter by chapter.
April 3, 2019
This book provides 7 very simple and practical things to think through when trying to build a ministry or really any organization. Each chapter provides questions to talk through that seem good although I did not do that since I read through it alone.
January 5, 2024
This book was okay! Was assigned to read it in September for a work reading assignment and took me 4 months to get through… definitely learned some things but also it was very option based & less scripturally backed than I would have hoped.
November 20, 2024
A solid read. Definitely some good practices which will make a lot more sense as I learn more. I intend on rereading this book a some point. I don't understand why Andy Stanley is the author though when it is stated in the book that he wrote the least of all three authors
March 31, 2025
Andy’s insight is invaluable. His willingness to be forthright is not appreciated within the religious ‘success’ community but it is refreshing. His unwillingness to appreciate or even recognize other realistic expectations outside of his suburban culture is embarrassingly arrogant.
August 28, 2017
This book is foundational for ministry. Many of the practices in here also are relevant to real life.
September 22, 2017
All very practical but is it the house that Stanley built or the house that God built?
December 13, 2017
An excellent book for any church staff. It will open up honest conversations on your team that can be used to establish an even better foundation for your church.
May 29, 2018
This was very good and followed what I had experienced in various non-church groups that I had been part of and that were effective at what they did.
February 19, 2018
This is a great book for anyone who is either currently active, or thinking about doing doing ministry vocationally. A very quick, informative, and engaging read.
May 3, 2019
great book with great ideas to reach people and live out role of disciple
August 23, 2020
An extremely helpful book on how to make your ministry effective. Must read!
October 29, 2020
Lots of helpful ideas in this book and you will certainly take something something away from it. It's more of a business approach to running a church.
October 10, 2022
probably my favorite book Stanley ever wrote. I read this a decade ago... I'd recommend it to EVERY pastor & or EVERY LEADER.... sLr
April 17, 2023
Very meh to me with the cheesy frame of the story but some good things to think about for sure
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews