U-Turn Church, The: New Direction for Health and Growth

Most pastors in America are ministering in churches that are in a state of stagnation or decline. The U-Turn Church walks readers through the debilitating roadblocks of tradition, lack of vision or leadership, structural problems, and concerns about denominational distinctives to forge a new way forward into a hope-filled future. Through the stories of two churches that have experienced healthy transformation, readers will see that there is not just one right way to reverse decline. They will receive practical help and wisdom born of experience as they begin their own U-Turn journey.From the Back CoverGuide Your Church into a Season of Health and GrowthIf you're a pastor, no one needs to tell you that the majority of churches in America are in a state of stagnation or decline. It's possible that you are ministering in one right now. But there's hope. In The U-Turn Church, two pastors who turned their churches around show you how to help usher in a new season of health, faithfulness, growth, and vision in your church.The U-Turn Church walks you through common roadblocks to growth into a hope-filled future. Isn't it time to begin your own U-Turn journey? Here's the practical help and wisdom born of experience that you need."Kevin Harney is a voice of both wisdom and experience when it comes to navigating change at a church. What a needed book!"--John Ortberg, bestselling author; senior pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, California"Does your church need a U-Turn toward stronger health and more effective outreach? Kevin and Bob offer a practical road map on how you can move ahead with the love and message of Jesus."--Lee Strobel, bestselling author, The Case for the Real Jesus"Looking for a practical tool to help with church renewal? Look no further. Harney and Bouwer have each led churches through a dynamic U-Turn process, and they offer simple and transferable ideas to help your church find health and a new way forward."--Randy Frazee, senior minister, Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, Texas; author, The Connecting ChurchKevin G. Harney led Corinth Reformed Church in Byron Center, Michigan, through a U-Turn experience from 1993 to 2006. He is currently senior pastor of Shoreline Community Church in Monterey, California. Harney is the author of several books, including Reckless Faith, Leadership from the Inside Out, and Seismic Shifts. He lives in California and can be reached at www.kevingharney.com.Bob Bouwer has been leading Faith Church in South Holland, Illinois, and Dyer, Indiana, through a U-Turn experience from 1990 to the present. Bouwer is founder and executive director of U-Turn Church Ministries, Inc., which holds conferences to help congregations and denominations move toward health and growth. He lives in Indiana.About the AuthorKevin G. Harney (MDiv, Fuller Seminary; DMin, Western Theological Seminary) led Corinth Reformed Church in Byron Center, Michigan, through a U-Turn experience from 1993-2006. He is currently senior pastor of Shoreline Community Church in Monterey, California. Harney is the author of Organic Outreach for Ordinary People, Leadership from the Inside Out, Seismic Shifts, Finding a Church You Can Love, and more than sixty small group guides, as well as curriculum and numerous articles. He also does extensive teaching and speaking both nationally and internationally. He lives in California.Bob Bouwer (MDiv, Western Theological Seminary) has been leading Faith Church in South Holland, Illinois/Dyer, Indiana, through a U-Turn experience from 1990 to the present. Bouwer is founder and executive director of U-Turn Church Ministries Inc., which holds conferences to help congregations and denominations move toward health and growth. He speaks nationally and provides resources for churches and leaders on how to effectively walk through a turnaround process. He is also the visionary leader of The Ravines in Lowell, Indiana, a marriage hospital that creates U-