Effective Small Churches in the Twenty-First Century

This week I read a book by Carl Dudley called Effective Small Churches in the Twenty-First Century. Carl Dudley (recently deceased) was for many years a professor and researcher on the lives of congregations. He is known as one of the best and most thorough specialists on the small church, especially its unique social character. This book blends the best of theological and social-scientific thinking into a practical guide for understanding the life of a small church. One of the central convictions of the author is that "small churches are not errors to be corrected, but intentional choices of members who put a priority on human relationships."

I found the book very helpful in providing a structure to some of the things I have been thinking and feeling about the small church. While there was really nothing new, it laid things out in helpful way that is both current (the book is only a couple years old), well-researched, and honest about both the opportunities and the challenges faced by the small church. Especially helpful are some of the "exercises" before each chapter and the plentiful charts and graphs to help locate the small church in its context. It is the best book on the subject I have read. I would list it as foundational reading for small church study.

Blessings, David