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Full Disclosure: Exposing Church Planting Blind Spots
Written by Stephen Gray and Barry Smith, Creative editor Trent Short
Full Disclosure Foreword by Troy Gramling
When my family and I first moved to Florida, all we could do was count the days until we could go to Disneyworld—the quintessential vacation destination for all families. On our way there, we were filled with curiosity, innocence and anticipation. Asking questions along the way like, "What ride should we hit first?" "Who should we stand in line to see first, Cinderella or Mickey Mouse?" And then, when we finally got our car parked in the Magic Kingdom lot, reality hit. Our innocent and curious questions eclipsed by our frustrated and annoyed questions, like, “Why do we have to walk 10 miles to get to the entrance?” Why is it 100 degrees in heat AND humidity? Why are the lines 2 hours long for a 2 minute ride? If only we had had a manual, on the way TO our destination, that offered answers to the realistic questions about the magical experience, and not just the fantasized ones.
As a pastor who has planted churches and helped churches get planted, I can tell you
that church planting can sometimes feel like this Disneyworld experience. But unlike my Disneyworld experience, where I didn’t have that “realistic” manual, you are holding yours in your hands right now! Stephen and Barry have traveled the road to church planting. Through their education, experiences and consulting, they can unashamedly speak to the REAL questions we, as pastors, would REALLY want to know as we head out on the church-planting adventure. Thankfully, they have compiled it all in, "Full-Disclosure: The F-Words of Church Planting.” This book takes the F-worded questions THEY asked and offer you the answers THEY learned. Stephen and Barry take a bold and honest approach, but it is equally matched by their big and humbled hearts for God and for those who God is putting on the front lines to plant His church. I’m thankful for these guys, this book, and for the impact it will make in your life as you head out on the adventure.
I’m still looking for that book to help me with the Disneyland reality, but when it comes to Church Planting you have the guide in your hands.
Troy Gramling
Lead Pastor, Flamingo Road Church
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Endorsements:
Gray and Smith deal with the real life, down-to-earth issues in church planting with an approachableness rarely found in Christian leadership material. They talk about the hidden temptations and difficulties church planters face in the areas of their marriage, their friendships, their time with God. The authors are unafraid to face specters like workaholism, too much focus on money, vision drift, and difficult people. The firsthand accounts of the authors will both entertain and forewarn you-- they speak from a wealth of experience. For those church planters who want to learn from the mistakes of others-- especially on the personal side of being a church planter-- "Full Disclosure" is a must-read.
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