Thomas Bandy, 95 Questions to Shape the Future of the Church. Abingdon Press, 2009.
Companion volume: Bandy, Moving Off the Map
Referenced in: Strategies for Congregational Renewal – Easum and Bandy’s Diagnostic on Thriving Congregations
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
Bill Easum and Tom Bandy have written extensively on how congregations may position themselves for effective ministry in the twenty-first century. For a complete layout of their model, and how each of their volumes contributes to its development, see the resource guide on the Easum and Bandy System.
This book presents a Congregational Mission Assessment that asks key questions in each of the 11 sub-systems of congregational life in the Easum-Bandy system. For all practical purposes, 95 Questions also replaces an older text that was originally the third part of the trilogy, Facing Reality. It also presents and abridged version of the 280-question Congregational Mission Assessment published earlier as Moving Off the Map, which may serve as a helpful supplement.
95 Questions is indispensable if one is serious about using the Easum/Bandy model of thriving churches. It also has stand-alone value as an example of mission assessment for those wishing to develop their own hybrid church diagnostic process (Bandy even suggests this in the first chapter), and as a reflective piece for church leaders who are concerned about their overall mission effectiveness.
From the Publisher
95 Questions to Shape the Future of Your Church is a comprehensive commentary on systemic change for the church. It combines the spirit of Luther’s 95 Theses with depth of insight akin to Luther’s reformation catechism. This book will be essential for every congregational, denominational, and seminary bookshelf. Church leaders and members all yearn for a new Reformation that will realign Christian congregations with God’s mission. This book frames the right questions, and focuses the right answers. It helps church leaders do the hard work of assessment and planning. The next Reformation will be an extraordinarily practical endeavor. Leaders need to apply the tactics that will leverage the greatest change, and guide the church deeper into the mystery of Christ and further in companionship with Christ. We want to be faithful. Now we know how to be faithful.
About the Author
Thomas G. Bandy is a leadership mentor and consultant for faith-based organizations. He is the author of more than fourteen books and numerous articles, including Why Should I Believe in You? (Abingdon Press) and Talisman: Global Positioning for the Soul (Chalice Press). He has been a pastor, teacher, lecturer in philosophical theology, and national denominational leader in the United States and Canada. He is now an internationally known workshop and conference leader.
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