"We do not have to sit there drab-faced, as if waiting for an impending doom. Religion is a serious business, but it does not have to be drab and sorrowful."
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Where Has All the Power Gone? by Rev. Robert O. Faga Trafford Publishing
book review by Cynthia Collins
Many churches are faced with a dilemma—the dwindling consistency of current members plus the slow growth of new members. How do churches keep up the dynamic that existed in the past? The author, who is an ordained minister, addresses this in a thought-provoking approach backed up with Biblical Scripture. He discusses what the church can do to attract members and what people can do to feel more in tune with the church. It is up to both the church and members to find a balance without sacrificing the how and why of Christianity. Some churches spend so much time on the negative, instead of telling people what they can do. Some only have one type of music. Young people, for example, may not feel they can relate to the old hymns while those who like traditional music may not feel like they've really been to church without them. In order to reach more people, worship services could compromise with alternating styles of music.
The author also discusses how people can feel more in tune with the church. Some go to church and think that the hour spent in the service should take care of it. They lose touch between the service and how their lives progress during the rest of the week. Rev. Faga quotes several passages of Scripture that emphasize actions and deeds; faith and work. This book is written largely from the Lutheran tradition but the author states that the advice and suggestions hold true for other denominations. It is easy to read, well-written, with a blend of Biblical readings and modern practicality. This is a non-preachy approach for anyone wanting to understand how to get more "power" out of the worship experience, whether it is in a church service or alone in a quiet place.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review