book reviews The Healthy Churches’ Handbook
Robert Warren Church House Publishing ISBN 0-7151-4017-5
I have reached a stage in my life when to answer the question “How are you?” challenges my integrity. Most of me appears reasonably healthy, but a few bits cause concern. When I am asked how my church is doing, I find myself in a similar dilemma. Against such a background I find myself slightly cynical about the title of this publication.
There is something illusionary about the concept of a “healthy” church. It seems to me that our pilgrimage as individual Christians and as local churches takes us occasionally through times of weakness. I have also noted that there can be healthiness in times of weakness and unhealthiness when all seems to be going really well. But my qualms about this book end there.
In 168 pages Robert Warren distils much of his accumulated wisdom in the hope of resourcing Parish Churches and pointing them forward to a greater degree of health and greater effectiveness in mission. It is a handbook, and therefore designed to be practical. It is not an instant guide to success, but sets out helpfully, insights gained through a rich and varied ministry.
There are practical exercises that can be undertaken by a Parish Church, although finding and using a facilitator is strongly recommended. There are seven “marks” of a healthy church with each unpacked carefully to give much food for thought and hopefully plans for action.
Like books on personal health, this book is not the complete answer to the human condition, but there is so much that is such good advice. The worst thing that could happen from
Beyond the Parish Pump – the Church Alive in the Countryside Jill Turner
ISBN 0-9545274-0-2 Available from the author, priced £7, at “The Chequers”, Hempnall, Norwich NR15 2LP
In the early 1960’s, a group of eight churches in Norfolk, of which the largest is Hempnall, were all without incumbents. The then Bishop of Norwich, Launcelot Fleming, formed them into a Group parish, administered by three clergy. This book is written to record and celebrate the forty years of ministry of the group since then.
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a book like this is that you could become a depressed introspective navel gazer. But, with sufficient enthusiasm to do the exercises, your church could become healthier. Of value to churches other than Anglicans, and well worth £10.95.
Barry Osborne Rural Evangelism Network
As in all areas, much has happened and changed over the years, but the Group, now run by two full time clergy and a team of laity, is still more than holding its own in spite of a national fall in church attendance. All eight churches are open and in good repair. This book gives a frank account of the benefits and problems of being a group, but has found that the former far outweigh the latter. In these days when so many small churches are struggling to survive and are looking at new ways forward, this book is a good resource and inspiration. Not all ideas will suit everyone (in the Hempnall Group some initiatives thrived for a time and then declined as circumstances changed) but it could be the basis for other thoughts to develop into prosperous ministries in other areas.
Susan Atkinson Agricultural Christian Fellowship
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
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