Chapter 1- Fuel the Pioneering Spirit- the author talks about how important it is to keep momentum going in the life of your church so that it can keep moving forward.
Chapter 2- Good Leaders Let Good People Go- this chapter discusses the issue of letting other leaders in the church go due to different circumstances no matter how difficult it can be. It is an overall better decision for the church, the individual, or both.
Chapter 3-Count the Cost Before Hiring a Family Member-the issue of hiring family members, having them work together, and/or making the decision to reprimand them or let them go from their job was discussed. The author gave 2 specific guidelines to follow when having family members work together.
Chapter 4-Flexibility is a Higher Value than "Flashy"-chapter 4 discusses the importance of having "flexible" facilities instead of "flashy" ones. By being more flexible it allows great things to happen in the life of the church.
Chapter 5-If It Feels Good, Check the Data-in this chapter the author tells us that just because your emotions tell you something is good-it doesn't mean that it actually is. Remember: measure outcomes, monitor cycles, and pay attention to balance.
Chapter 6-Don't Spend Your Life With Your Critics-chapter 6 went over that "answering every criticism and explaining every questioned action will wear you out." Let people say what they want-but know whose words to take to heart and whose words to just ignore.
Chapter 7-Get Geeked About Gadgets- chapter 7 discusses the importance of technology and its positive effects on your ministry as well as helping you and your staff make better use of your time!
Chapter 8-If Someone Hasn't Left Your Church Recently, Your Vision Is Probably Too Broad-The author states that it is ok when people leave your church-it means that your church isn't meeting their specific needs-remember 3 things: 1)Start very focused 2) Do a few things well 3) Add slowly.
Chapter 9-Work Yourself Out of a Job-One simple statement: "Keep the tasks that add the most value, and give everything else away." Churches have lay people who are just as talented as you! In fact, they may even be better at something than you. Give them the jobs and focus on the other tasks at hand!
Chapter 10-Visit Other Churches and Steal Their Stuff-The author talks about visiting other churches that are strong in the areas that your church is weak. If it works for them-perhaps it will work for you! Make it your own, but use their foundation.
I have lived in a pastor's home my entire life, and over the years I have seen my parents do (what I believe) a great job of having "momentum building" campaigns. One of the examples that I have become very fond of happened two years ago at my parents current assignment. For several months the church had a spike in attendance of families with children and the need became great to open updated facilities to help accommodate the growing need. My parents visited a church a couple hours away who has a killer children's program as well as incredibly facilities. They took some of the ideas-technology, design, set up, etc-and modified it to meet the needs of our church. They also got several lay people and new families involved and excited. This helped to make connections but to also get the word out and make people excited about the new changes that were taking place. They now run a very successful children's ministry and have been able to add onto their facility!
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