Rethinking Church
Leading the Struggling Church Through Death to New Life
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The vast majority of churches in America are stuck or in decline. We train pastors as shepherds and chaplains who can rightly divide the scriptures for teaching and preaching, do necessary spiritual counseling, and conduct your wedding or funeral. We have failed to prepare pastors to lead well, equip the people to make disciples, or multiply the church. This failure has left thousands of pastors struggling to do ministry in the local church. On top of that struggle, there is a pressure to dream big, go big, and be the next big thing.
After stepping into leadership, I collapsed under the pressures and struggles of ministry. I failed in the revitalization of our church. Then, I watched our restart efforts sputter and nearly disintegrate at our feet. We found another path by rethinking church. By rethinking everything that we believed, valued, and did as the church, we found another trail. In Rethinking Church, I share that journey through death to new life. Here is hope for the struggling small church pastor on the verge of giving up, and a path to follow for those who want to rethink their church too. Pre-ordering from Wesleyan Publishing House is available now. The book will be available on Amazon beginning January 22, 2021. What People are Saying |
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Tim has a unique genius to leverage what others see as liabilities. A blessing that overflows for us all as this unique genius intersects with a deep desire to be generous in sharing with others.
Wayne Schmidt, General Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church
Wayne Schmidt, General Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church
Tim Fox rethinks and reconstructs the indispensable theological scaffold required to lead churches toward becoming a fruit-bearing ecosystem. When Jesus taught his disciples, he often began with the line, “You have heard that it was said . . .” and then presented a different way of thinking—one which aligned more closely with God’s original intention for humanity. I am convinced that one of those areas is the church’s reprioritization of the Great Commission. I have no doubt this book will inspire, challenge, and provide best practices to help cultivate an environment that people will want to be a part of.
Ed Love, director of church multiplication for The Wesleyan Church
Ed Love, director of church multiplication for The Wesleyan Church
"Rethinking Church: Leading the Struggling Church through Death to New Life by Dr. Tim Fox is a must-read for struggling churches! Tim isn’t just an “industry-expert” or a church marketing specialist; he’s a pastor who, just like you, has had his share of ups-and-downs in ministry. This book's principles came from his real-life experience of pouring his life into a church that was dying and helping to nurse it back to a place of health and Kingdom-influence. Please understand: This isn’t a “quick-fix” cure for your problems, but a process-driven book to help you to reassess and respond to your current environment.
As you turn the pages, you’ll rediscover God’s hope and purpose for your life; right where He has placed you today! This book will help you Rethink your call, Redefine “success,” Reignite your dreams, and Reimagine leadership. As the President of West Coast Bible College & Seminary and a 35-year veteran of full-time pastoral service and leadership, I HIGHLY recommend Rethinking Church: Leading the Struggling Church through Death to New Life to you!"
Kevin Harrison, President West Coast Bible College & Seminary
As you turn the pages, you’ll rediscover God’s hope and purpose for your life; right where He has placed you today! This book will help you Rethink your call, Redefine “success,” Reignite your dreams, and Reimagine leadership. As the President of West Coast Bible College & Seminary and a 35-year veteran of full-time pastoral service and leadership, I HIGHLY recommend Rethinking Church: Leading the Struggling Church through Death to New Life to you!"
Kevin Harrison, President West Coast Bible College & Seminary
Through a balance of narrative and direction, Tim leads readers along a journey from stuck to hope, death to life. By allowing readers to witness his story—as enveloped within Hydrant’s story—the foundation is laid for discourse, initiative, and rethinking of what church can be. This book is an essential read for clergy and congregations that sense the Spirit’s leading to venture beyond the realm of complacency into a new domain of possibility. By its conclusion, you, too, will believe in what is possible, even if possible starts with death.
Dustin R. Bannister, director of foundations and sponsored programs, and institutional advancement for University of Mount Olive
Dustin R. Bannister, director of foundations and sponsored programs, and institutional advancement for University of Mount Olive
A small church carries the lion share of ministry in America yet receives the least amount of emphasis and energy thrust towards its nourishment. In a time when local is celebrated and small relished, the small church deserves a rethink. If you are looking for help, challenge, and encouragement, Pastor Tim and Hydrant Church’s story will dare you to rethink everything.
Aaron Golden, lead pastor of Union Point Church (NC)
Aaron Golden, lead pastor of Union Point Church (NC)
Tim writes this book—not from the ivory tower of speculation and academia—but from the front lines of experience and practicality. His insights and principles instill a confidence that comes from someone who has walked this path before. Tim admonishes, “Forget all the reasons that you can’t do something beautiful for the kingdom and find one reason that you can.” This book will help you discover the reason you can.
Phil Stevenson, district superintendent of the Pacific Southwest District of The Wesleyan Church
Phil Stevenson, district superintendent of the Pacific Southwest District of The Wesleyan Church
Church revitalization is one of the most difficult challenges in ministry that takes total commitment and a hunger to grow and learn. Tim takes us on his journey leading a struggling church through death to new life. It is powerfully authentic and chock-full of practical wisdom on how to do it. Tim is not only an incredible pastor, husband, and father, but also a dear friend who has walked with me during some dark times of ministry. He is a pastor to pastors and has helped me fall in love all over again with the small church and the big impact it can have on a community and city. You will be reminded that the One who has called you on this adventure is quite able to bring it to completion.
Jeremy White, founder of The North Durham Network (NC) and board member of Pastor The Pastor Ministries
Jeremy White, founder of The North Durham Network (NC) and board member of Pastor The Pastor Ministries
No matter the size of the congregation, one of the first questions considered often centers on, “Is this Christ’s church or is it ours?” Another chief thought to be considered in this book is whether we’re willing to lovingly confront complacency and risk the status quo every day to reach lost souls of our community for the good of the kingdom of God. The message of Jesus and the gospel should never change, but the methods for “doing” church will change. Be like Pastor Timothy Fox and stay teachable for a lifetime!
Jim Dunn is a pastor, denominational leader, church consultant, author, teacher, and president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Jim Dunn is a pastor, denominational leader, church consultant, author, teacher, and president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University