Building for Effective Mission: A Complete Guide for Congregations on Bricks and Mortar Issues

"This book will help you to see all you do in mission in a new light. It will help you put your priorities into better order. It will help you maximize the effectiveness of your resources for this mission time. And it will guide you through the many decisions and choices about your space and facilities as you keep the perspective of your mission foremost." Kennon Callahan, Building for Effective Mission

How can congregations clarify and advance their mission in the twenty–first century? And how can they maximize their resources as they reach out and serve the community?

In this important addition to the Twelve Keys to an Effective Church library, Kennon Callahan guides church leaders through the process of defining and prioritizing their mission. The book begins by showing the need to develop a focused plan, build on strengths, and concentrate on specific resources available. Some congregations fail by trying to do too much. Callahan emphasizes the need to be realistic, make choices, and do what can be done best.

He then presents the ′bricks and mortar′ tools needed to build and grow the mission, focusing on issues such as evaluating the range of resources available, choosing the right location, doing a church site evaluation, making sure space and facilities meet the needs of the mission, and more. Callahan also addresses key issues that will ensure long life for a church′s mission, such as community outreach, leadership development, and growing funds through giving. Throughout this step–by–step process, he helps congregations understand that the building is not the mission but only one of the means through which mission is carried out.

To be a successful church in the twenty–first century, a congregation outlines clear mission goals and then renovates, builds, or moves in order to bring these ministries to life. This is a guide to making any congregation′s mission become reality and to matching its church′s facilities with its mission needs.

The Gift of Mission.

Discovering Your Mission.

Growing Your Mission.

Four Futures for Congregations.

Location and Mission.

Building Space and Facilities.

The Key to an Extraordinary First Year.

Creating an Effective Building Team.

Selecting Your Architect.

Growing Your Giving.

Mission and Hope.

KENNON L. CALLAHAN, ?researcher, professor, and pastor?is one of today′s most sought–after church consultants. He has worked with thousands of congregations around the world and has helped tens of thousands of church leaders and pastors through his dynamic workshops and seminars. Author of many books, he is best known for his groundbreaking study Twelve Keys to an Effective Church, which has formed the basis for the Mission Growth Movement, a widely acclaimed program for church renewal. Callahan has earned the B.A., M.Div., S.T.M., and Ph.D. degrees. His doctorate is in Systematic Theology. He has served both rural and urban congregations in Ohio, Texas, and Georgia and taught for many years at Emory University. Ken and his wife of over forty years, Julie, have two children, Ken and Mike, and three grandchildren, Blake, Mason, and Brice. They enjoy the outdoors, hiking, horseback riding, and camping.