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“Hold your seat belt for this one. Hammett and Pierce are successful in getting the reader to do what Mark Twain suggested: “Take your brain out and stomp it. It’s getting all stopped up!” Modern or Postmodern? However, this books is an excellent look at the church as it seeks to function in a postmodern world and in a global change that encompasses more than generational differences. The concept of transformation vs. change is visionary.
“It would be difficult to select the most powerful portions of the book. However, I was highly impressed with Chapter 3 (When Generations Collide); Chapter 7 (What’s a Win-Win for Your Church?); Chapter 8 (Bible Study for the 21st Century Adults?) and Chapter 10 (What about the 40 or 50 somethings?).
Personal Note: As a “modern” living in a “postmodern” world, I found many challenges to my comfort zone. However, one must admit that the book is sensitive to the current culture and to churches – mine included. We need to face the truth and decide whether we will be relevant to today’s culture – or not.”
- Bill Young, Past President and Board Member of BACE – Baptist Association of Christian Educators, www.baptisteducators.org
“This is a book with a long title and big price (for a paperback especially - $16.49 at Amazon) but well worth every penny of it. In fact, the story that Ed Hammett tells about his maternal grandmother getting her Sunday School class to change meeting locations is worth the price of the book.
This book is all about getting the church “on mission” to reach the current and all future generations for Christ. What gives it distinction is the guidance if offers on how churches can approach this mission attempting to develop a “win-win” situation. In other words, to reach people under age 40 while keeping people over age 60. The book takes a coach approach by asking questions for personal reflection throughout the practical content.
I found this book a very good companion book to Change Your Church for Good. It should be in every pastor’s toolbox. Hammett believes that the church must be open to change; a change in form (methods) but not function (message). He says, “We live in a changing world, and the church will either change to continue to spread the changeless truth of the gospel or it will die.” He understands the challenge of helping those who are resistant to change to see the need for and acceptance of these changes. Therefore, pastors and church leaders who are change agents must know that “the key to change is to change values and beliefs before changing behavior.”
If you desire to see your church serve as a “hospital for sinners” and not just a “hotel for saints” then read this book. If you want to lead your church from maintenance to missions then get your leadership team to read this book.
For me, the author’s heart is revealed in the following two sentences: “I love the church, but we church people are killing many of our churches to preserve our comfort. My challenge for you: Are you trying to preserve the church for yourself and your generation, or are you trying to do church in a way that reaches out to a new generation?”
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the challenging seminar you presented at the Goldsboro Free Will Baptist Church this past Saturday. Your presentation, as usual, was challenging and inspiring. Those who came from the church I pastor, were awakened to ideas that some had never considered but now see them as opportunities for the church to reach out to and be involved in our community.
When our church deacons attended the seminar at Cragmont last year, they came away with an enthusiasm that I not seen in a long time and I must admit, it rejuvinated my own ministry. Now with this recent seminar, I can feel new life coming into our church and its ministries.
Speaking for myself as a pastor, in both seminars I felt the power of the Holy Spirit moving and I believe that everyone in attendance left with new ideas for moving the Original Free Will Baptist Church forward.
It is my prayer that God will continue to use you for His glory and I and others will allow Him to use us as well.
Ray Wells, Pastor
Marsh Swamp Free Will Baptist Church
http://www.marshswamp.org/
Eddie Hammett conducted a Deacon Ministry training for our Convention, and it was very practical, relevant, and beneficial. One of the participants, who has worked for the BGCT for 15 years, stated that it was the best workshop he had ever attended -- and he's not easily impressed! Eddie took the time in advance to find out the group's needs and then he designed the workshop specifically for our group. Immediately after the workshop, many asked, "When can you bring him back. We need more of what he has to offer!" It was refreshing to know that Eddie practices what he teaches, and his authenticity was contagious.
--Julie O'Teter, Congregational Leadership Team, Baptist General Convention of Texas, Dallas, TX
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