I recently finished Shannon O'Dell's new book Transforming Church in Rural America, and I have to say I was blown away by the honesty and self-reflection present in the book. There is something for every pastor here, whether you're attempting to revitalize a struggling rural ministry, if you're well established in a thriving metropolis or if you're just starting out as a new church planter.

As an up-and-coming church planter myself I am hungry for any advice I can get on church growth, so I dove into Transforming Church with high expectations. If I take nothing else away from this book, it is the idea that a pastor cannot focus on growing a church, he must focus on growing the people within a church. When the people grow, the church will grow. As Shannon puts it, you have to focus on growing congregants, not a congregation.

Far from attempting to be a step-by-step, by the numbers book, Transforming Church offers real, practical advice along with been-there, done-that stories to illustrate truths about the modern American church; Truths that every pastor can put into practice. Shannon has a passion for the church that is too often missing in the pulpit, and I pray that those who read this book will have a fraction of his passion rub off on them.

In reading Transforming Church I felt Shannon's pain when he spoke of the dissent within his church, and I rejoiced along with him at the life change that resulted from his "whatever it takes" attitude and faith. The job we have as pastors and other ministry leaders is daunting to say the least. The risks are huge, but the payoff is worth it. Read Transforming Church and you will leave not only with a better understanding of the challenges facing the church today, but with the encouragement to step out in faith and break all the rules.

How do you love people? How do you love your enemies? How do you love the annoying, boring, needy?

You cant just view people as customers, co-workers, clients… you have to view them as people with needs. Are you being helpful to those around you?

- How do you treat people when you’re worn down and tired? Do you still have compassion when it’s not convenient?

- Assess the problem and current resources to match the problem. You need the right heart and the right process. Good intentions without a good plan will get you nowhere.

- Give what you have. Dont expect/wait for Jesus to multiply what you have BEFORE you give it… without a gift, there is nothing to bless.

- Are you still willing to give it all when there’s nothing left? (Physically, mentally, emotionally, monitarily) When you give when you have nothing left, God can take it and multiply it.

- Serve rather than complain. Give rather than take. Make a difference rather than waiting for things to change.

- God is not a God of enough… God is a God of MORE than enough.

John 12:43 “…they loved praise from men more than praise from God.”

- This is what is all boils down to.
- People-pleasing is idolatry

Prov. 29:25 “Fear of man [is] a snare…”

Trap #1: The “I will COMPROMISE for you” trap
- Do the right thing… do not fear the results of doing what is right.
Trap #2: Saying yes to the wrong things so you don’t have time/resources to say yes to God.
Trap #3: The “I will let you limit my success” trap

Solution…
- The fear of God is the best antidote for the fear of man
- Psalm 34:9. “…those who fear him lack nothing.”
- Live to please God, not ANYONE ELSE.

1239587702313, originally uploaded by bburgi.

Seriously, I did a Google Voice-Search for “Whataburger San Marcos, TX” and got this…

Wow.