"Change Your Church for Good," Brad Powell (Thomas Nelson, February, 2007)

Powell makes a compelling case for changing churches in decline. Subtitled "The Art of Sacred Cow Tipping," his book mixes biblical truth, ministry philosophy and real-life experience to explore the ever-elusive idea of successful church transitions.

The author is senior minister of NorthRidge Church in Plymouth, Mich., where he and his staff plan to offer their personal insights at an upcoming conference Feb. 8-10, "Change Without Compromise."

With dire statistics about dying churches spread about the landscape, the issue of effectively revitalizing congregations looms large on church leaders' radar screens. Powell provides a worthwhile look at the philosophy behind successful transitions and discusses his change efforts—including failures—to guide would-be reformers.

After reviewing the ultimate calling for Christ's Church, and why he believes many congregations are failing, Powell spends the bulk of his book on the ideas behind necessary changes. He also addresses the leadership characteristics needed to implement a new course.

The state of America's churches

His insights on the impact of traditions and the hindrances they pose to gospel truths are precise, accurate observations about the current state of America's churches. So, his call for change and outlines of what to address sound like advice from an old friend who's "been there" and "done that."

Powell's insights about how the church has become worthless for many people explains recent attendance declines. They also provide a rallying call to turn the focus back to the lost and reinstate the power in the gospel message.

"The church should be offering and expecting life change," Powell writes. "It should settle for nothing less. … We should never dumb down God's power to our level in order to protect ourselves from disappointment."

Powell offers no secret formulas, steps or plans. Instead, he returns to the words of Christ and church history from Acts and the Epistles in reminding leaders of their calling and direction for ministry.

He also breaks down the issue's complexity by focusing on a few particulars, primarily culture and language. Worship services are the first, most obvious target for change, according to Powell, who advocates shifts in church style, environment and language in order to reach today's culture.

The church in transition

Powell spends a good portion of his time discussing leadership issues for a church in transition, including strategies, team-building, casting a vision, communication and casualties of change.

He offers sage snippets of advice, such as "Don't change everything at once," and a call to value excellence rather than mediocrity. Mixed with that are broader recommendations about the impetus for change, as well as the necessity of hard work and strong faith.

In Powell's eyes, the core issue is adopting a big-picture view of the Church as bringing truth to the lost. He sees this as the reason congregations should be willing to sacrifice any tradition, style or preference for the sake of sharing the good news with those who have yet to hear it.

For leaders looking for more specifics, or a step-by-step guide to changing from a traditional church ministry to an updated one, Powell's book won't work. Maybe NorthRidge's conference will supply more specifics.

Instead, this book provides more general ideas about the reasons for change, with Powell an expert at articulating effective philosophies of ministry.

"Tradition doesn't set people free," he writes. "Tradition puts people in bondage. Truth sets people free."

Hard to argue with that.