What a wonderful resource. This book by Kennon L. Callahan sets up some essential direction for those that are seeking a new call, or have received, and the congregation that is in the process.
Callahan provides some great guidelines from the first day to looking towards the future. Of course, this is not a one size fits all for all situations and congregations, but it does lay some good foundations in which pastors and congregations can build upon. This was a great read for myself as I begin a new call and look towards where God may be calling the congregation.
My one suggestion is that this book would be read prior to a call being extended by both the pastor and the congregation as some of the process is expected to be in place at the beginning, but would also be good for those times when a pastor and congregation wants to begin anew.
Callahan lays the groundwork as well for building a new team as different leaders will come out of the woodwork to support a different pastor with a different personality and leadership style. The four steps that he believes truly beneficial in the process are
- Discover your team.
- Decide your objectives.
- Structure your team.
- Coach your team.
These are good points to keep in mind as you move forward. At the beginning relationships must be built and so that you can determine who will fit into those steps. I look forward to seeing how this book will help guide me and the congregation into the future.
a mysterious way 