Church growth, church health, and church revitalization have been personal subjects of life-long study—from the first time I became a lead pastor as a green and inexperienced twenty-five-year-old to this very day. Recently, I taught a masters-level course in church revitalization for the University of Valley Forge and during the discussion forums a graduate student introduced me to a new (to me) and exceptional author, Dr. Troy H. Jones.
Jones’ first book, Recalibrate Your Church is an excellent and thoughtful read. However, the title of Jones’ latest book, Ignite Your Church: Seven Practices to Be an Architect and Not an Arsonist, made me chuckle and piqued my curiosity. The book is full of clear and practical advice with a pronounced bias toward intentional action. However, Jones is also quite transparent when confessing his own mistakes. Therefore, he passes on the wisdom of lessons learned in the form of “pro tips.”
The book’s big idea is the importance of clearly focusing on just one “Mission Critical Initiative”—”a bold initiative that creates momentum and unites your church to make the greatest impact. For a season, it’s the one vision, one rallying cry, and one challenge that brings everyone together and becomes … a single project or event that initiates change.”1 The mission critical initiative (MCI) is the one thing that you can do what will make the biggest positive change in your church. The balance of the book is full of supporting principles, best practices, and thoughtful reason.
Jones experienced advice about how to introduce significant change is worth the price of the book. There is much to commend his wise suggestion that you “leak, listen, learn, lead, and land.” He explains:
Pay close attention to your church’s official governance structure and its unofficial key players. Then begin to intentionally “leak” your idea to select leaders, chatting unofficially, and observing responses. Have one-on-one meetings with those who have the most influence. This will allow them to give input at an early stage. That’s key, because people will always support what they help create. Identify influencers in your organization and observe their initial thoughts and pushback.2
For any pastor who feels “stuck” and is serious about doing the hard work of church revitalization, Ignite Your Church: Seven Practices to Be an Architect and Not an Arsonist currently stands at the top of my list as a recommended best read.
1 Jones, Troy. Ignite Your Church: Seven Practices to Be an Architect and Not an Arsonist (p. 20). Advantage Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
2 Jones, (pp 100-101).